International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995

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Treaty Code:

M1995-29

Treaty Type:

Multilateral

Common Name:

STCW-F 95

Responsible Department:

Foreign Affairs and Trade

Administering Department:

Treaty Status:

In Force

Treaty Summary:

The STCW-F Convention sets the certification and minimum training requirements for crews of seagoing fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and above.  The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, which countries are obliged to meet or exceed. The Convention’s focus is on improving the safety of life at sea, and property at sea, and the protection of the marine environment by ensuring seagoing fishing vessel personnel are qualified and fit for their duties. STCW-F seeks to create a mandatory international regime for safety standards on fishing vessels. It covers training and certification standards for: skippers and watchkeepers on seagoing fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and above; engineers on vessels of more than 750kW; and for crew in charge of radio communications. The Annex to the Convention includes requirements for basic safety training for all fishing vessel personnel. STCW-F was adopted in July 1995 by the International Maritime Organization, and entered into force in September 2012.

The agreement was presented to the House in March 2016 for Parliamentary treaty examination and this was successfully completed. Amendments to relevant Maritime Rules were developed and publicly consulted with a closing date of Monday 7 November 2016. New Zealand deposited an instrument of accession with the International Maritime Organization on 21 November 2017, which will take effect on 4 March 2018.

The Convention applies to crews of fishing vessels that are at least 24 metres in length. Should the initial assessment warrant further investigation, the Ministry of Transport will consult with relevant stakeholders.

NZ Adherence Status:

In Force

Adherence Type:

Acceded to

Signature Date:

Adherence Date:

21/11/2017

Expired:

No

Date Concluded:

07/07/1995

Place Concluded:

.

Entry Into Force Date:

29/09/2012

NZ Entry Into Force Date:

04/03/2018

Termination Date:

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NZ Objections:

No

NZ Reservations:

No

NZ Declarations:

No

NZ Territorial Applications:

None

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Parties:

Canada

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Acceded to

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Denmark

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Iceland

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Kiribati

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Latvia

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Lithuania

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Morocco

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Norway

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Palau

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Poland

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Portugal

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Russia

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Saint Lucia

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Spain

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