Amended STCW’95 Convention and Codes Recognizes Survival Craft Simulation

July 05, 2010

July 5th, 2010 – St. John’s, NL – The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved proposed changes to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW ‘95) Convention at a Diplomatic Conference in Manila, Philippines. Acceptance of the amended STCW Convention and its associated Codes means simulators have been formally recognized as a suitable tool for survival craft training. Virtual Marine Technology, manufacturer of SurvivalQuestTM, the world’s only Det Norske Veritas (DNV) approved survival craft operations simulator, is pleased with the announcement.

“This is a major step for survival craft training,” said Capt. Philip McCarter, VMT’s VP of Accreditation and Marine Affairs.  “Simulation has long been recognized as a valuable training tool in the maritime domain. The changes to Table A-VI/2-1 of the STCW convention recognize the benefits that simulation can offer to survival craft training programs.”

The challenges of survival craft training are widely documented. Accidents occur far too frequently and the inherent risks of lifeboat operation make it difficult for coxswains to gain practical experience, especially for high sea state launch, reduced visibility operation and equipment failure response.  Simulation provides training organizations and operators with a tool to overcome these challenges. 

SurvivalQuest is a DNV type S approved survival craft operations simulator designed to reduce training risk and prepare coxswains to successfully launch in emergency conditions. The simulator can be configured for davit or freefall training and uses real lifeboat equipment to deliver a high fidelity training experience.