IMO Model Courses

The declared objective of the present model course is to meet all minimum requirements that are mandatory and apply to the knowledge, as well as understanding and proficiency in Table A-II/1 of the STCW Convention, for three functions, namely navigation, proper handling and stowage of the cargo transported, and controlling the ship's operation and care for the persons onboard at the operational level.

The first functional element is giving quite detailed technical knowledge in order to provide the outcomers of the training with required support relating to the passage planning and determining the position of the vessel by means of the celestial, terrestrial, and also coastal navigation, echo sounding devices, speed measurement, meteorology and other methods, plus maintaining a safe watch, use of ARPA and radars, as well as the AIS and ECDIS, plus proper responding to the distress and emergency signals, use of the IMO SMCP, exchange of the information by means of the visual signals, ship maneuvering etc.

The section two provides the required knowledge about the loading and stowage of the cargoes, their securing, plus inspecting of the cargo and reporting on any defects that have been revealed in the course of the inspection. Finally, the last part is mainly dealing with the compliance with various applicable requirements, operating of the LSA, fire prevention, control, fighting, maintaining the seaworthiness of the vessel etc.

The present IMO model course is mainly intended for the ship officers willing to be certified and chief mate and master on vessels having a gross tonnage of five hundred tons or more. All entrants should have already completed a pre-requisite course on the minimum standards that is required for certification as the officer-in-charge of a navigational watch on the vessels of same size.

In contrast to this Model Course 7.03, the present course is covering the navigation, cargo handling and controlling the operation of the vessel and people care not at the operation but at the management level. In general, the declared purpose of all IMO model courses is to help all training institutes together with their teaching staff to better introduce ad properly organize the new courses and also improve the existing materials.

Again, the Table A-II/2 of the STCW Convention is being referred. The background technical knowledge supporting the tasks, relevant duties and associated responsibilities are listed in the appropriate sections of the training program and are more or less similar to the Model Course 7.03; however there are some differences and you would better go through the contents of each publication to have a clear picture.