Onboard Training Record Book (OTRB) for the Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (Deck Cadets)

INTRODUCTION

In 2010, the IMO Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was revised and updated. This ISF Training Record Book takes full account of the new requirements for deck cadets, including new competences for ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems), leadership and teamwork, and proactive measures to protect the marine environment.

The revised STCW Convention continues to place emphasis on assessment of the outcome of training, i.e. the ability of seafarers to perform their duties competently. In particular, the 2010 Convention requires that a cadet’s seagoing service must be properly structured and recorded in a training record book approved by the maritime administration responsible for issuing certificates of competence. The footnotes to the amended STCW text specifically refer to ISF training record books as an example of such documentation.

The STCW Code, which contains the detailed requirements of the revised STCW Convention, sets out uniform standards for the attainment of competences in the various maritime skills required to qualify as a watchkeeping officer. The STCW Code also stipulates criteria by which a trainee’s attainment of these competences should be assessed by designated onboard training officers.

The tasks contained in this Record Book have been carefully designed to help ensure that trainees meet the requirements for certification stipulated by the STCW competences' and that as far as possible the officers supervising their training use evaluation based on Table A-II/1 of the STCW Code. However, the tasks have been arranged with on board training in mind. The training tasks and associated criteria are, in many instances, presented in more detail than in the text of the Convention. This is to help ensure that trainees make the best use of their seagoing service and to help officers supervising trainees make an objective evaluation of whether they are indeed competent.

Normally completion of this Book will not itself constitute an official assessment of competence. This is the task of government appointed examiners. However, completion of the ISF On Board Training Record Book should provide sufficient documentary evidence that a trainee has completed a properly structured on board training programme and demonstrated competence in the skills required by the amended STCW Convention in order to be certified as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.

CONTENTS

SECTION 1 Instructions to Use the Training Record Book

SECTION 2 SUMMARY RECORD OF PROGRESS

Particulars of Cadet

Basic Training

SECTION 3 Compulsory Safety and Shipboard Familiarization

SECTION 4 PARTICULARS OF SHIPS

SECTION 5 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA

SECTION 6 INFORMATION ON TRAINING TASKS AND COMPETENCES TO BE ACHIEVED

Example of How to Complete the List of Training Tasks and Competences Achieved

SECTION 7 TASKS FOR OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH

Function: Navigation at the Operational Level

Function: Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Operational Level

Function: Cargo Handling and Stowage – Additional Tasks for Tankers

Function: Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for Persons On Board at the Operational Level

SECTION 8 STEERING CERTIFICATE

SECTION 9 PROJECT WORK

SECTION 10 TASK SUMMARY CHART

On receipt of this Book:

• The trainee should complete the information required on the following pages including details of Basic Training received in accordance with the STCW Convention. The trainee will then be personally responsible for the safe keeping of this Book throughout training.

• Section 3, concerning details of mandatory Safety Familiarisation and mandatory Shipboard Familiarisation, should be completed immediately after the trainee joins each ship. An officer should sign to signify that mandatory familiarisation as required by the STCW Convention has been undertaken.

As soon as possible after joining each ship:

• The trainee should complete Section 4 concerning the technical details of the vessel. The master and the designated training officer on board each ship should provide an opportunity for this exercise to be undertaken.

• The designated on board training officer appointed by the master should inspect this Book in order to check progress already made. A plan should be made to tackle the competences that still need to be demonstrated. A Task Summary Chart can be found in Section 10.

Throughout the cadet's seagoing service:

• Section 7, which contains a list of on board training tasks, should be progressively completed. Additional guidance on recording progress is given at the start of Section 6.

• The Task Summary Chart in Section 10 should also be progressively completed.

• The Book should be submitted to the master for inspection every month and at the end of each voyage. The master's comments should be recorded, dated and stamped. Comments should only relate to the cadet’s competence and practical progress.

• The Book should be submitted to the designated on board training officer on joining each vessel – and then, so far as the voyage pattern allows, every week. Comments should be recorded.

• The Book should also be inspected by the shipping company. Comments should be recorded.

• A precise record should be kept of the trainee’s seagoing service including time spent on bridge watchkeeping duties. In addition to practical training, throughout seagoing service cadets should practice their knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

• Cadets are also expected to complete a number of written projects, some examples of which are set out.

Important note

The STCW Convention requires that any person conducting on board training shall do so only when it will not adversely affect the normal operation of the ship and time can be dedicated to the training and any evaluation of competence.

To enroll in the OTRB, please contact us at dmaotrb@gmail.com or 09-251553279 . An administrator will provide you with a Google Sheets file to record your onboard data. For guidance on how to complete the sheet, refer to the instructional video linked below.