What is the primary aim of the STCW Convention?

The primary aim of the STCW Convention, which stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, is to set qualification standards for crew on seagoing merchant ships. This convention was established to ensure that seafarers possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and safely. By establishing these standards, the STCW Convention seeks to enhance maritime safety and protect lives at sea, ensuring that crew members are adequately trained to handle emergency situations and operate the vessel efficiently.

The focus of the convention is specifically on professional seafarers who work on commercial vessels, rather than recreational boating or maritime tourism. Therefore, options related to certification for recreational boating and enhancing maritime tourism safety do not align with the comprehensive framework set by the STCW. Furthermore, regulating shipping traffic in national waters is outside the scope of the STCW's focus on crew training and certification standards, which is geared explicitly towards enhancing the qualifications of personnel operating merchant ships on international waters.