STCW is to have kept the world’s seas and ships safe for all, including the crew and the environment. Article 1(a) of the IMO Convention, the IMO being the organisation that enforces the STCW, clearly states the purpose: “to provide machinery for cooperation among governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade; to encourage and facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in matters concerning maritime safety, the efficiency of navigation, and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships”.

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