Ingangsdatum:
01-01-1996
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
and in particular Article 84 (2) thereof,
Having regard to the
proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of
the Economic and Social Committee (2),
Acting in accordance with
the procedure referred to in Article 189c of the Treaty (3),
Whereas in its conclusions of 25 January 1993 on maritime safety
and pollution prevention in the Community, the Council noted the importance of the human
element in the safe operation of ships;
Whereas in its resolution
of 8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe seas (4), the Council set the objective of
removing substandard crews and gave priority to Community action aiming at enhancing
training and education by developing common standards for minimum training levels of key
personnel, including the question of a common language on board Community vessels;
Whereas the standards of training for the award of vocational
competency certificates to seafarers vary from one Member State to another; whereas such
a diversity of national laws in the area of training covered by this Directive does not
ensure the consistent level of training required in the interests of maritime safety;
Whereas Council Directive 89/48/EEC (5) and 92/51/EEC (6) on the
general systems for the recognition of professional education and training apply to
maritime occupations covered by this Directive; whereas they will help promote
compliance with the obligations laid down in the Treaty abolishing obstacles to the free
movement of persons and services between Member States;
Whereas
the mutual recognition of diplomas and certificates provided for under the general
systems Directives does not always ensure a standardized level of training for all
seafarers serving on board vessels flying the flag of a Member State including ships
registered in Euros once that register is approved by the Council; whereas this is,
however, vital from the viewpoint of maritime safety;
Whereas it
is therefore essential to define a minimum level of training for seafarers in the
Community; whereas it is appropriate that the action in this field should be based on
the standards of training already agreed at international level, namely the IMO
Convention on Standards of Training, certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978,
(STCW Convention); whereas all Member States are parties to that Convention;
Whereas the amendment to STCW of 22 May 1991 (Resolution MSC 21
(59)) introduces the function of radio operator in order to conform to the
GMDSS-requirements;
Whereas in order to enhance maritime safety
and prevent loss of human life and maritime pollution, communication among crew members
on board ships sailing in Community waters should be improved;
Whereas personnel on board passenger ships nominated to assist
passengers in emergency situations should be able to communicate with the passengers;
whereas in this context, all relevant provisions of IMO Resolution A.770 (18) on minimum
training requirements for personnel nominated to assist passengers in emergency
situations on passenger ships should be taken into account;
Whereas crews serving on board tankers carrying noxious or
polluting cargo should be capable of coping efficiently with accident prevention and
emergency situations; whereas it is paramount that a proper communication link between
the master, officers and ratings is established, covering the requirements provided for
in Article 8;
Whereas Article 8 (3) is necessitated by the fact
that the relevant standards, to be established through an amendment to the 1978 STCW
Convention, have not yet been agreed in the IMO;
Whereas measures
should be taken to ensure that seafarers holding certificates issued by third countries
have a level of competence commensurate with that required by the STCW Convention;
Whereas in order to attain this objective, common criteria should
be defined for the recognition of foreign certificates in the Community; whereas for
this purpose, the Council should decide on the common criteria acting in accordance with
the conditions of the Treaty;
Whereas a committee should be
established to assist the Commission in carrying out the tasks related to the exercise
of the recognition of certificates issued by training institutes or administrations of
third countries;
Whereas measures should be taken for allowing
seafarers serving on board ships flying the flag of a Member State, including ships
registered in Euros once that register is approved by the Council, and holding
certificates not issued according to this Directive, to continue their work during a
transitional period up to and beyond the adoption of the common criteria;
Whereas Member States, as port authorities, are required to
enhance safety and prevention of pollution in Community waters through priority
inspection of vessels flying the flag of a third country which has not ratified the STCW
Convention, or which have crews holding certificates which have not been recognized
under the provisions of this Directive, thereby ensuring no more favourable treatment to
vessels flying the flag of a third State;
Whereas it is necessary
to provide for procedures for adapting the Directive to changes in international
conventions and codes,
(1) OJ No C 212, 5. 8. 1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ No C
34, 2. 2. 1994, p. 10.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of
9 March 1993 (OJ No C 91, 28. 3. 1994, p. 120), Council common position of 19
September 1994 (OJ No C 301, 27. 10. 1994, p. 41) and Decision of the European
Parliament of 16 November 1994 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(4) OJ No C 271, 7. 10. 1993, p. 1
(5) OJ
No L 19, 24. 1. 1989, p. 16
(6) OJ No L 209, 24. 7. 1992, p.
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