Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

STCW Certificates, Crewing and Seafarer Welfare glossary

The certification and welfare vocabulary of crewing: the STCW ratings (AB Deck under II/5, AB Engine under III/5), abandonment financial security under MLC Regulation 2.5.2, drill requirements under SOLAS III/19, and the watchkeeping competencies. Grounds each term in the STCW regulation or MLC standard that defines the qualification or entitlement.

372 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

AB: Able Seafarer or Able Bodied seaman, an experienced deck rating qualified under STCW Regulation II/5.
AB Deck: Able Seafarer Deck, an STCW II/5 rating with at least 18 months sea service or approved training.
AB Engine: Able Seafarer Engine, an STCW III/5 rating qualified to perform routine engine room duties.
Abandon ship drill: Mandatory drill under SOLAS Chapter III.
Abandonment financial security: Mandatory MLC 2006 Regulation 2.5.2 insurance covering repatriation, wages, and essentials when a seafarer is abandoned.
Academy: Maritime Education and Training institution authorized by a flag State to deliver STCW approved programs.
Accommodation standards: MLC Title 3 minimum requirements for sleeping rooms, mess, sanitary, and recreational spaces aboard ship.
Active service: Period during which a seafarer is engaged under a Seafarers Employment Agreement and entitled to wages.
Additional training: Specialized STCW Chapter V training beyond core CoC requirements, such as tanker, polar, or passenger ship endorsements.
Advanced Fire Fighting: AFF, STCW Regulation VI/3 course required for officers and personnel designated to control firefighting operations.
AFF: Advanced Fire Fighting, STCW Table A-VI/3 competence in commanding fire parties and tactics.
Agency: Recruitment and placement service that hires seafarers on behalf of shipowners under MLC Regulation 1.4.
AIS familiarization: Operator training in the Automatic Identification System, often combined with ECDIS and bridge equipment courses.
Alcohol limit: STCW Regulation VIII/1 maximum 0.05 percent blood alcohol content or 0.25 mg/l in breath for watchkeepers.
AMSA: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, intervention powers under the Protection of the Sea Act.
Annual leave: MLC Regulation 2.4 minimum 2.5 calendar days of paid leave per month of employment.
Anti-Piracy Training: BMP5 and onboard drills for high-risk areas.
Apprentice: Cadet or trainee enrolled in an approved program leading to a Certificate of Competency.
Approval: Flag State acceptance of a training course, simulator, or assessment as meeting STCW Code Part A requirements.
ARPA: Automatic Radar Plotting Aid training course required for officers operating ARPA equipped radars under STCW Table A-II/1.
Article 94 UNCLOS: Provision setting out flag-state duties to effectively exercise jurisdiction and control over ships flying its flag.
Assessor: Person qualified under STCW Section A-I/6 to evaluate seafarer competence at sea or in an approved center.
Assistant Engineer: Junior engineer officer rank below Third Engineer, often a cadet posting on US ships.
Audit, MLC: Flag State inspection verifying the ship's DMLC Part I and II and Maritime Labour Certificate.
Authorized doctor: Medical practitioner approved by the flag State to issue STCW medical fitness certificates.

B

BAC: Blood Alcohol Concentration, capped at 0.05 percent for seafarers on duty under STCW VIII/1.
Basic Safety Training: BST, the combined STCW Regulation VI/1 package of PST, FPFF, EFA, and PSSR.
Basic Tanker Training: STCW V/1-1-1 oil and chemical tanker familiarization required before assignment to tanker duties.
Bell book: Engine room log of telegraph orders received and acknowledged during maneuvering.
Berth: Place where a ship is moored; sleeping bunk.
Boat drill: Periodic launching and recovery exercise of survival craft and rescue boats per SOLAS III/19.
Bosun: Boatswain, senior deck rating supervising able seafarers and ordinary seamen.
BRM: Bridge Resource Management, the systematic use of bridge personnel and information for safe navigation.
BST: Basic Safety Training, mandatory STCW VI/1 short course bundle for all seafarers with designated safety duties.
BTM: Bridge Team Management, equivalent to BRM, focused on team coordination during navigation.
Bunker training: Familiarization in fuel transfer operations, often included in tanker and engineering syllabi.
Buoyancy aid: Personal flotation device used during certain shipboard training, distinct from SOLAS lifejackets.
Bureau Veritas: French classification society delegated by some flag States to approve MET programs and issue MLC certificates.

C

Cadet: Trainee deck or engine officer.
Cal Maritime: California State University Maritime Academy at Vallejo, a US federal service academy partner training merchant officers.
CBA: Collective Bargaining Agreement, often an ITF affiliated contract setting wages and conditions for crew.
CDC: Charterers' default clause.
Certificate of Competency: CoC, primary STCW qualification issued by a flag State after examination and sea service.
Certificate of Proficiency: CoP, STCW certificate for short courses such as PSCRB or AFF, separate from a CoC.
CES: Crew Evaluation System, a widely used computer based assessment for officers and ratings.
Chief Engineer: Senior engineer in charge of machinery.
Chief Mate: Senior deck officer next in command to Master, certificated under STCW II/2 for ships of 3000 GT or more.
Chief Officer: Senior deck officer, second in command.
Chief Steward: Senior catering rating responsible for galley and accommodation services under MLC Regulation 3.2.
Circular STCW.1: IMO Maritime Safety Committee circular series providing interim guidance on STCW implementation.
Circular STCW.6: IMO circular series listing Parties confirmed to give full and complete effect to the STCW Convention.
Circular STCW.7: IMO circular series providing guidance to Parties and industry on STCW interpretation and equivalencies.
CoC: Certificate of Competency, the principal STCW license for officers and senior ratings.
CoE: Certificate of Endorsement, flag State recognition of a foreign CoC under STCW Regulation I/10.
Cold climate operations: Training under STCW V/3 polar code for officers and ratings on ships in polar waters.
Collective agreement: ITF or national union contract setting minimum terms for seafarer employment.
Commercial Maritime Training: Industry term for STCW approved short courses delivered by private centers.
Company Security Officer: CSO, ashore appointed individual under ISPS Code Part A Section 11.
Competence: Demonstrated ability to perform STCW listed tasks to the standard in Code Part A.
Compliance, MLC: Title 5 framework requiring flag, port, and labor supplying State inspections.
Consolidated MLC: MLC 2006 as amended, including the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022 amendments.
Continuing professional development: Refresher and update training maintaining STCW competence between revalidations.
Continuous Discharge Certificate: Seafarer service record and identity document used in India and some flag States.
Continuous synopsis record: CSR, SOLAS history-of-flag record.
Convention 185: ILO Seafarers Identity Documents Convention 2003, revised, supporting MLC implementation.
Cook, ship's: Certificated catering rating required on ships with 10 or more seafarers under MLC Regulation 3.2.
CoP: Certificate of Proficiency, issued for STCW short courses and ratings.
Coxswain: Person in charge of a survival craft or rescue boat, certificated under STCW VI/2.
Crew List: Required document used in port clearance and screening.
Crewing agent: Recruitment and placement service licensed under MLC Regulation 1.4.
Crisis Management training: Passenger ship training under STCW Regulation V/2 paragraph 6.
Crowd Management training: STCW V/2 paragraph 4 training for passenger ship crew assisting passengers in emergencies.
CSO: Company Security Officer under ISPS Code Part A/11.

D

Deck Cadet: Trainee deck officer in initial sea phase.
Deck Officer: Navigation-watchkeeping officer holding an STCW deck CoC.
Deck Rating: Non-officer crew member of the deck department.
Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance: DMLC, two part document required under MLC Title 5 and Regulation 5.1.3.
Designated person ashore: DPA, ISM Code link between ship and shore management.
Designated Security Duties: DSD, STCW Regulation VI/6 paragraph 4 training for crew with assigned security tasks.
DGS: Directorate General of Shipping, the Indian flag State administration issuing STCW certificates.
Disciplinary procedure: MLC Regulation 5.1.5 onboard complaint and disciplinary process.
DMLC Part I: Flag State statement of national requirements implementing MLC.
DMLC Part II: Shipowner's statement of measures adopted to ensure ongoing MLC compliance.
DNV: Det Norske Veritas (DNV); IACS member classification society.
DP Advanced: Dynamic Positioning Advanced or Simulator course, second stage of The Nautical Institute DP scheme.
DP Basic: Dynamic Positioning Induction course, an industry standard from The Nautical Institute.
Drug and alcohol policy: Company D&A policy aligned with OCIMF and CDI.

E

ECDIS Generic: 40 hour STCW model course 1.27 in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems.
ECDIS type-specific: Manufacturer or model specific training required under STCW Regulation I/14 and ISM familiarization.
EFA: Elementary First Aid, STCW Regulation VI/1 paragraph 1 short course.
Electro-Technical Officer: ETO, STCW Regulation III/6 officer responsible for electrical and electronic equipment.
Electro-Technical Rating: ETR, STCW Regulation III/7 rating supporting the ETO.
Endorsement: written amendment to the policy.
Engine Cadet: Engineer trainee working toward an OOW Engineering CoC under STCW III/1.
Engine Rating: Non-officer engine-room crew member.
Engineer Officer of the Watch: STCW certification for the engine-room watchkeeping officer.
ERM: Engine Room Resource Management, the engineering counterpart to BRM.
ETO: Electro-Technical Officer.
ETR: Electro-Technical Rating.
EU directive 2008/106/EC: European Union directive incorporating STCW into EU law.
EU directive 2022/993: Codified EU directive on the minimum level of training of seafarers.
Examination, STCW: Oral, written, or simulator assessment by an approved authority for CoC issue.

F

Familiarization training: STCW Regulation I/14 shipboard induction in safety and operations before duties commence.
Family liaison: Welfare service maintaining shore communication with seafarers' families, often via ITF Seafarers Trust.
Fast Rescue Boat training: FRB, STCW Regulation VI/2 paragraph 2 course for crew assigned to fast rescue craft.
Fatigue management: STCW VIII/1 and IMO Guidelines on Fatigue covering rest hours and watch arrangements.
Final assessment: Last STCW exam stage prior to issue of a CoC.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting: FPFF, STCW Regulation VI/1 paragraph 1 short course.
First Aid: STCW Regulation VI/4 paragraph 1 medical first aid for officers with designated duties.
Fitness certificate: STCW Regulation I/9 medical fitness document for seafarers, valid up to two years.
Flag of convenience: Flag of a state with open registration policy.
Flag State: State of the ship's nationality, with jurisdiction under UNCLOS Article 94.
Flag State Endorsement: See Endorsement, document under STCW I/10.
Food and catering: MLC Regulation 3.2 standards on food provisions and ship's cook training.
Forecastle: Forward part of the upper deck; forward crew accommodation.
FPFF: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting short course.
FRB: Fast Rescue Boat short course.
Free communication: MLC Regulation 3.1 paragraph 11 right of seafarers to access onboard communications.
Functional certificate: STCW certificate covering a defined function such as navigation or engineering at a specified level.

G

Galley training: Catering and food handling instruction supporting ship's cook qualification under MLC 3.2.
Gas Tanker Advanced: STCW Regulation V/1-2-2 advanced training for officers with cargo responsibility on gas tankers.
Gas Tanker Basic: STCW Regulation V/1-2-1 basic training for service on liquefied gas tankers.
General Operator Certificate: GOC, STCW Regulation IV/2 GMDSS qualification for sea areas A1 to A4.
General purpose rating: Multi-skilled rating trained for deck and engine duties, recognized by several flag States.
GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System under SOLAS Chapter IV.
GMDSS Operator: Holder of a GOC or ROC issued under STCW Chapter IV.
Government issued seafarer ID: Identity document under ILO Convention 185 or national equivalent.
Great Lakes Maritime Academy: US maritime academy at Northwestern Michigan College training officers for the Great Lakes and oceans.
Grievance procedure: Onboard and ashore complaint mechanism required by MLC Regulation 5.1.5.
Gross Tonnage: GT, measure of overall internal volume, determinant of statutory certification thresholds.

H

HAZMAT training: IMDG Code familiarization for crew handling dangerous goods, complementing STCW.
Health protection: MLC Title 4 measures including onboard medical care and shore based services.
Helm: Steering control of a vessel; the wheel and rudder.
Hierarchy of certificates: STCW structure from rating CoP through OOW, Chief Mate, and Master.
High voltage training: STCW Table A-III/2 competence for engineers on systems above 1000 V.
Hours of rest: Mandated minimum rest hours under MLC and STCW.
HSE familiarization: Company specific Health, Safety, and Environment induction supplementing STCW.

I

IAMU: International Association of Maritime Universities, the global federation of maritime academies.
IBC Code training: Familiarization with the International Bulk Chemical Code, part of advanced chemical tanker training.
ICS guidance: International Chamber of Shipping publications on training and crewing best practice.
IGF Code training: STCW Regulation V/3 basic and advanced training for ships using low flashpoint fuels.
IMO Model Course: Standardized training course documents published by the IMO.
IMO Number, seafarer: Unique identifier under IMO Resolution A.1078(28) for individual seafarers.
Indian Maritime University: IMU, central university in India delivering DGS approved MET.
Induction training: Pre-joining and onboard familiarization required by STCW I/14 and the ISM Code.
Inspection, MLC: Flag State, port State, and company audits verifying MLC compliance.
Instructor qualification: STCW Section A-I/6 requirements for trainers, assessors, and supervisors.
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978: STCW, the primary IMO treaty on seafarer competence.
ISF watchkeeper: International Shipping Federation standardized watchkeeping arrangements form, widely used for STCW compliance.
ISPS Code training: STCW Regulation VI/5 and VI/6 covering SSO, DSD, and security awareness duties.
ITF: International Transport Workers' Federation, publisher of the FOC list.
ITF Seafarers Trust: Welfare arm of the ITF providing grants for seafarer centers and projects.

J

Joining medical: Pre-employment medical examination under STCW Regulation I/9 and MLC Regulation 1.2.
JTC: Joint Tripartite Committee, the body governing the consolidated MLC 2006 amendments process.
Junior Engineer: Entry-level engine officer rank.
Junior Officer: Operational level deck or engineer officer holding an OOW CoC.

K

Kalmar Academy: Linnaeus University Maritime program, Sweden, providing STCW approved officer training.
Kobenhavn Maritime: SIMAC, the Svendborg International Maritime Academy in Denmark.
KW threshold: Engine room CoC categories scale by main propulsion power, with 750 kW and 3000 kW the key STCW limits.

L

Labor supplying State: Country providing seafarers to ships flagged elsewhere, with duties under MLC Article V.
Leadership and Management: STCW Table A-II/2 and A-III/2 competence at management level, often delivered as a HELM Management course.
Leadership and Teamworking: STCW Table A-II/1 and A-III/1 competence at operational level, delivered as HELM Operational.
Liberian Registry: LISCR administered open registry issuing STCW endorsements widely accepted in trade.
Lifeboatman: Common term for PSCRB certificate holder.
Liferaft drill: SOLAS III/19 weekly or monthly exercise practicing launch and boarding.
Liquefied Gas Tanker Advanced: STCW V/1-2-2 advanced training.
Liquefied Gas Tanker Basic: STCW V/1-2-1 short course.
LRIT familiarization: Awareness of Long Range Identification and Tracking, complementary to GMDSS training.

M

MAIB: Marine Accident Investigation Branch of the United Kingdom, established under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 and operating from Southampton.
Maine Maritime Academy: US state maritime academy at Castine.
Manila Amendments: 2010 revisions to the STCW Convention and Code entering into force 1 January 2012.
Manning agency: Crewing company supplying personnel.
Manning level: Number of personnel on board.
Marine Engineer Class I: UK MCA Chief Engineer level CoC under STCW III/2.
Marine Engineer Class II: UK MCA Second Engineer level CoC under STCW III/2.
Marine Engineer Class III: UK MCA Engineer Officer of the Watch CoC under STCW III/1.
Maritime Academy: Institution delivering STCW approved officer programs.
Maritime Education and Training: MET, the formal training of seafarers under STCW.
Maritime Labour Certificate: Required under MLC for ships of 500 GT and above engaged on international voyages.
Maritime Labour Convention 2006: ILO consolidated treaty on seafarer rights and conditions, in force 20 August 2013.
Maritime Welfare Board: National body coordinating seafarer welfare ashore under MLC Regulation 4.4.
Marshall Islands Registry: IRI administered open registry issuing STCW endorsements.
MarTID: Maritime Training Insights Database, annual industry training survey.
Mass Maritime: Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, US state maritime academy.
Master: Captain of the vessel.
Master less than 3000 GT: STCW Regulation II/2 paragraph 3 CoC for medium ships.
Master less than 500 GT: STCW Regulation II/3 CoC for masters of small ships in near coastal voyages.
Master Mariner: Holder of an STCW unlimited deck Certificate of Competency.
MCA: UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, responsible for SOSREP intervention.
MED: Medical Care, STCW VI/4 paragraph 2.
Medical Care: STCW Regulation VI/4 paragraph 2 course for officers in charge of medical care onboard.
Medical First Aid: STCW Regulation VI/4 paragraph 1 short course.
Medical Fitness Certificate: STCW I/9 document, valid up to two years for seafarers and one year for those under 18.
MET: Maritime Education and Training.
MFA: Medical First Aid, STCW VI/4 paragraph 1.
Minimum age: STCW Regulation I/14 minimum 16 for seagoing service, with 18 required for tankers and other restricted assignments.
Minimum rest hours: STCW VIII/1 limits of 10 hours per 24 and 77 hours per 7 days.
Mission to Seafarers: Anglican seafarers' welfare society founded 1856.
MITAGS: Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, US training center in Maryland and Washington.
MLC: Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
MLC Certificate: See Maritime Labour Certificate.
MLC Title 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship.
MLC Title 2: Conditions of employment.
MLC Title 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering.
MLC Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection.
MLC Title 5: Compliance and enforcement.
Model Course 1.07: IMO Radar Navigation Operational Level course.
Model Course 1.08: IMO Radar Navigation Management Level course.
Model Course 1.13: IMO Elementary First Aid course.
Model Course 1.14: IMO Medical First Aid course.
Model Course 1.15: IMO Medical Care course.
Model Course 1.19: IMO Personal Survival Techniques course.
Model Course 1.20: IMO Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting course.
Model Course 1.21: IMO Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities course.
Model Course 1.22: IMO Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork course.
Model Course 1.23: IMO Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats course.
Model Course 1.24: IMO Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats course.
Model Course 1.25: IMO General Operator Certificate for GMDSS course.
Model Course 1.26: IMO Restricted Operator Certificate for GMDSS course.
Model Course 1.27: IMO Operational Use of ECDIS course.
Model Course 1.36: IMO Advanced Fire Fighting course.
Model Course 1.39: IMO Leadership and Teamwork course.
Model Course 3.19: IMO Ship Security Officer course.
Model Course 3.27: IMO Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers course.

N

Navigation Aid: Equipment whose operation is included in radar, ECDIS, and ARPA courses.
Near-coastal voyage: Defined by each flag State under STCW Regulation I/3 for limited geographic CoCs.
Norwegian Maritime Authority: Sjofartsdirektoratet, flag State administration of Norway.

O

OICEW: Officer In Charge of an Engineering Watch, STCW III/1 operational level CoC.
OICNW: Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch, STCW II/1 operational level CoC.
Oil Tanker Advanced: STCW Regulation V/1-1-2 course for officers with cargo responsibility on oil tankers.
Oil Tanker Basic: STCW Regulation V/1-1-1 short course for service on oil tankers.
Oiler: Engine room rating performing routine maintenance and watchkeeping under direction.
Onboard training record book: TRB, STCW Section A-II/1 and A-III/1 document for structured cadet training.
OOW: Officer of the Watch, the navigational or engineering watchkeeping officer.
Operational level: STCW certification level corresponding to OOW responsibilities.
OPITO: Offshore safety training accreditation body (BOSIET, MIST, HUET).
Ordinary Seaman: Entry-level deck rating.
OS: Ordinary Seaman.

P

Panama Maritime Authority: Autoridad Maritima de Panama, AMP, headquartered in Panama City.
Passenger Ship Training: STCW Regulation V/2 covering crowd management, crisis management, and passenger safety.
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities: PSSR, STCW Regulation VI/1 paragraph 1 short course.
Personal Survival Techniques: PST, STCW Regulation VI/1 paragraph 1 short course.
Philippine STCW Office: MARINA STCW Office, Philippine flag State authority issuing seafarer certificates.
Polar Code training: STCW Regulation V/3 basic and advanced training for officers on ships operating in polar waters.
Port State Control inspection: PSC inspection that may verify STCW certificates and MLC compliance.
Pre-sea training: Foundational MET course prior to first sea service, prerequisite for cadet entry.
Proficiency in Designated Security Duties: PDSD, STCW Regulation VI/6 paragraph 4 short course.
Proficiency in Security Awareness: PSA, STCW Regulation VI/6 paragraph 1 short course.
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats: PSCRB, STCW Regulation VI/2 paragraph 1 course.
PSC: Port State Control.