Regulations and Policies

New crew members joining a ship must be familiarised with their duties and essential information about the ship. This ensures they understand their responsibilities thoroughly before commencing their duties. Proficiency and familiarisation are critical factors in preventing failures and safety hazards. Though all crew personnel joining the ship have to do STCW training, there are several specific instructions which are essential for safe operations on ships.

Port State Control (PSC) is an inspection of a foreign ship in national ports carried out to verify that the condition of the specific ship and its equipment comply with the various requirements of international regulations. Additionally, it ensures that a ship is manned and operated in compliance with all these instruments and guarantees that maritime safety, security and environment are protected.

The correct maintaining and filling-in of the oil record books are vital in ensuring compliance. It also provides evidence that the vessel is not polluting in contravention of the MARPOL regulations. All vessels over 400 grt must keep records of machinery space operations in the Oil Record Book Part 1 to comply with the MARPOL regulations.

This course introduces the concept of Shipboard Energy Efficiency Plans and how they can be implemented onboard. The conservation of energy through new technologies and better operational practices can help to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping operations and reduce operational costs for fuel and power.

Pilots come onboard ships to assist the Master navigate a ship in the most efficient and safe manner in the specific area and ensure safe arrivals and departures from ports. Pilot boarding is hence considered a crucial operation. Various factors affect this operation deeming whether it will be successful or result in a casualty or disaster. International rules and regulations have stipulated the requirements for pilot boarding arrangements in order to ensure successful pilotage operations and reduce the risk to life.

What is the worst thing that could happen? "It is only Ballast Water" you might say. However, the consequences of poor Ballast Water Management could cause health problems for many people, financial losses for the company, and also harm the world's ecosystems. There is a reason that this convention entered into force. In this course, you are going to learn more about your role and about different methods for handling Ballast Water.

Social media has become an integral part of life on a ship. However, there is a responsibility that comes with the crew's opportunity to access and use social media; this is rarely discussed or questioned.

This incident is based on the experiences of the UK P&I Club. Accidents like the one in this course can and do happen. As you go through this course, ask yourself, "Could this happen on my ship?"

It is key to learn from accidents that have occurred to be able to succeed in shipping. This incident is based on the experiences of the UK P&I Club. Accidents like the one in this course can and do happen. As you go through this course, ask yourself, "Could this happen on my ship?"

The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) came into force in 2004 as an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. It highlights requirements on maritime security including, minimum security arrangements for ships, ports facilities, and government agencies. It specifies the responsibilities of governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port facility personnel to detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities.

In this course we will be looking at the role of the gangway watch keeper, the relevant legislation and the security of the vessel.

The new SIRE 2.0 is a revolutionary new way of completing the inspection process, using digital hardware and a reporting portal rather than the paper inspection process.