International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 6

Number 2

June 2012

249

1 INTRODUCTION

These new requirements for engineers were pro-

posed by Japan, and comparing them to the former

text of the STCW’95 Code, now are much more

higher.

The reason why Japan decided to do it was pre-

sented in its document STW 40/7/54: “Japan be-

lieves that the proposed personnel like an electric

officer and an electro-technical officer are not nec-

essary, as long as the existing requirements and

qualifications are appropriately maintained. Japan

considers that there is a background for the pro-

posals that the requirements in tables A-III/1 and A-

III/2 lack detail or specifics and do not seem to re-

flect the contemporary technologies. Accordingly,

Japan proposes amendments to tables A-III/1 and A-

III/2, describing the requirements in more concrete

ways and adding requirements in K.U.P.

(Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency) re-

garding high voltage installations that are consid-

ered as not a new technology, but a new category

(STW 40/7/18)”.

This approach is rather controversial and many

opposite opinions were presented and discussed [1],

[2]. The IMO STW forum decided to reject Japanese

point of view as a general concept, but accepted a

development of new “Electrical, electronic and con-

trol engineering” standards for engineer officers.

A short comparison of requirements and related

standards for electro-technical and engineer officers

leads to conclusion, that it would be very difficult or

even almost impossible to achieve these new stand-

ards for marine engineers.

The authors are of the opinion that above men-

tioned amendments have a great impact on and must

significantly change the model courses for marine

engineers.

“Electrical, Electronic and Control

Engineering” – New Mandatory Standards of

Competence for Engineer Officers, Regarding

Provisions of the Manila Amendments to the

STCW Code

J. Wyszkowski & J. Mindykowski

Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland

ABSTRACT: The paper presents the new requirements for the certification of watchkeeping engineers, chief

engineer officers and second engineer officers, in the part related to the function “Electrical, electronic and

control engineering”, provided in the Manila amendments to the part A of the STCW Code and the conse-

quences for maritime education and training resulting from them.

250

2 THE FUNCTION “ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND CONTROL ENGINEERING” IN THE PART A

OF THE STCW CODE

2.1 STCW’95 Code

Table A-III/1. Specification of minimum standard of competence for officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned en-

gine-room or designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine-room [3]

Function: electrical, electronic and control engineering at the operational level

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Competence

Knowledge, understanding and

proficiency

Methods for demonstrating com-

petence

Criteria for evaluating compe-

tence

Operate alterna-

tors, generators

and control sys-

tems

Generating plant

Appropriate basic electrical

knowledge and skills

Preparing, starting, coupling and

changing over alternators or gen-

erators

Location of common faults and

action to prevent damage

Control systems

Location of common faults and

action to prevent damage

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training

ship experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Operations are planned and car-

ried out in accordance with estab-

lished rules and procedures to en-

sure safety of operations

Table A-III/2. Specification of minimum standard of competence for chief engineer officers and second engineer officers on ships

Function: electrical, electronic and control engineering at the management level

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Competence

Knowledge, understanding and

proficiency

Methods for demonstrating com-

petence

Criteria for evaluating compe-

tence

Operate

electrical,

electronic and

control systems

Theoretical knowledge

Marine electrotechnology, elec-

tronics and electrical equipment

Fundamentals of automation, in-

strumentation and control sys-

tems

Practical knowledge

Operation, testing and mainte-

nance of electrical and electronic

control equipment, including

fault diagnostics

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training

ship experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Operation of equipment and sys-

tem is in accordance with operat-

ing manuals

Performance levels are in accord-

ance with technical specifications

Test, detect faults

and maintain and

restore electrical

and electronic con-

trol equipment to

operating condi-

tion

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training

ship experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Maintenance activities are cor-

rectly planned in accordance with

technical, legislative, safety and

procedural specifications

The effect of malfunctions on as-

sociated plant and systems is ac-

curately identified, ship’s tech-

nical drawings are correctly

interpreted, measuring and cali-

brating instruments are correctly

used and action taken are justified

251

2.2 STCW’2010 Code

Table A-III/1. Specification of minimum standard of competence for officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned en-

gine-room or designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine-room [4]

Function: electrical, electronic and control engineering at operational level

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Competence

Knowledge, understanding and

proficiency

Methods for demonstrating com-

petence

Criteria for evaluating compe-

tence

Operate

electrical,

electronic and

control systems

Basic configuration and

operation principles of the

following electrical,

electronic and control

equipment:

.1 electrical equipment:

generator and

distribution systems

preparing, starting,

paralleling and

changing over

generators

electrical motors

including starting

methodologies

high-voltage

installations

sequential control

circuits and associated

system devices

.2 electronic equipment:

characteristics of basic

electronic circuit

elements

flowchart for automatic

and control systems

functions, characteristics

and features of control

systems for machinery

items, including main

propulsion plant

operation control and

steam boiler automatic

controls

.3 control systems:

various automatic control

methodologies and

characteristics

Proportional–Integral–

Derivative (PID) control

characteristics and

associated system

devices for process

control

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training

ship experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Operations are planned and

carried out in accordance with

operating manuals, established

rules and procedures to ensure

safety of operations

Electrical, electronic and

control systems can be

understood and explained with

drawings/instructions

Maintenance

and repair of

electrical and

electronic

equipment

Safety requirements for

working on shipboard

electrical systems, including

the safe isolation of electrical

equipment required before

personnel are permitted to

work on such equipment

Maintenance and repair of

electrical system equipment,

switchboards, electric motors,

generator and DC electrical

systems and equipment

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved workshop

skills training

approved practical

experience and tests

approved in-service

experience

approved training

ship experience

Safety measures for working

are appropriate

Selection and use of hand tools,

measuring instruments, and

testing equipment are

appropriate and interpretation

of results is accurate

Dismantling, inspecting,

repairing and reassembling

equipment are in accordance

with manuals and good

252

Detection of electric

malfunction, location of

faults and measures to

prevent damage

Construction and operation of

electrical testing and

measuring equipment

Function and performance

tests of the following

equipment and their

configuration:

.1 monitoring systems

.2 automatic control devices

.3 protective devices

The interpretation of

electrical and simple

electronic diagrams

practice

Reassembling and performance

testing is in accordance with

manuals and good practice

Table A-III/2. Specification of minimum standard of competence for chief engineer officers and second engineer officers on ships

Function: electrical, electronic and control engineering at management level

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Competence

Knowledge, understanding and

proficiency

Methods for demonstrating com-

petence

Criteria for evaluating compe-

tence

Manage

operation of

electrical and

electronic

control

equipment

Theoretical knowledge

Marine electrotechnology,

electronics, power

electronics, automatic control

engineering and safety

devices

Design features and system

configurations of automatic

control equipment and safety

devices for the following:

main engine

generator and

distribution system

steam boiler

Design features and system

configurations of operational

control equipment for

electrical motors

Design features of

high-voltage installations

Features of hydraulic and

pneumatic control equipment

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training ship

experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Operation of equipment and

system is in accordance with

operating manuals

Performance levels are in

accordance with technical

specifications

Manage

troubleshooting

restoration of

electrical and

electronic

control

equipment to

operating

condition

Practical knowledge

Troubleshooting of electrical

and electronic control

equipment

Function test of electrical,

electronic control equipment

and safety devices

Troubleshooting of

monitoring systems

Software version control

Examination and

assessment of evidence

obtained from one or

more of the following:

approved in-service

experience

approved training ship

experience

approved simulator

training, where

appropriate

approved laboratory

equipment training

Maintenance activities are

correctly planned in accordance

with technical, legislative,

safety and procedural

specifications

Inspection, testing and

troubleshooting of equipment

are appropriate

253

2.3 Analysis of the text of the STCW’95 and

STCW’2010 Code

Comparing specification of minimum standard of

competence for officers in charge of an engineering

watch listed in Table A-III/1, it is possible to find in

the STCW’95 Code only one standard: “Operate al-

ternators, generators and control systems”, in the

STCW’2010 Code there are two:

“Operate electrical, electronic and control systems”

and “Maintenance and repair of electrical and elec-

tronic equipment”.

In the STCW’95 Code these two standards of

competence belonged to chief engineer officers and

second engineer officers. It means that in the

STCW’2010 Code the requirements for watchkeep-

ing engineers are much higher than before. The con-

tents of the second column (K.U.P.) of the table A-

III/1 in the STCW’95 and STCW’2010 Code shows

how big is the difference.

The chief engineer officers and second engineer

officers in the STCW’2010 Code have two standards

of competence:

“Manage operation of electrical and electronic

control equipment” and “Manage troubleshooting,

restoration of electrical and electronic control

equipment to operating condition”. It means that

now they are not obliged to operate or maintain and

repair of electrical, electronic and control equip-

ment, as it was before, now it is a job of watchkeep-

ing engineers.

It is interesting to compare the competences

and K.U.P.s of engineer officers and electro-

technical officers in the wake of the Manila amend-

ments to the STCW Code [4].

A short comparison of competencies leads to

conclusion, that engineer officers are obliged to

know how to operate, maintain and repair all electri-

cal, electronic and control systems onboard the ship.

The electro-technical officers should know how

to monitor, maintain and repair the systems men-

tioned above and to operate only generators and dis-

tribution systems below and in excess of 1000 V.

With regard to overview of K.U.P.s of both kinds

of officers under consideration results that for com-

petence “Operate electrical, electronic and control

systems” the requirements listed in K.U.P. column

of Table A-III/1 for engineer officers are more de-

tailed than for electro-technical officers.

Concluding, engineer officers competencies and

K.U.P.s are comparable and sometimes more exactly

described in detailed aspects than appropriate re-

quirements for electro-technical officers.

That’s why the validation of existing model train-

ing courses:

− 7.02 Chief and 2nd Engineer Officer,

− 7.04 Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch

is very important and should take into account all

these new requirements provided in the

STCW’2010 Code.

The authors are of the opinion, that it would be

very difficult to meet these requirements without

significant increase in the duration of the model

courses, especially of the last one.

REFERENCES

[1] Are engineers getting the electrical training they need? In

Marine Engineering Review, March 2006, p. 35-36.

[2] Wyszkowski J. et al. 2009. Novelties in the development of

the qualification standards for Electro-Technical Officers

under STCW Convention requirements. In proc. 8th Inter-

national Navigational Symposium on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation, Trans-Nav, Gdynia,

2009.

[3] STCW Convention. Final Act of the 1995 Conference of

Parties to the International Convention on Standards of

Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,

1978.

[4] STCW CONF.2-DC-2 - Adoption of the final act and any

instruments, resolutions and recommendations resulting

from the work of the conference. Draft resolution 2. Adop-

tion of amendment to the seafarers’ training, certification

and watchkeeping (STCW) Code, 2010.