⚓ STCW Violence & Harassment Prevention
🎯 Major Amendment: STCW Table A-VI/1-4
In May 2024, the IMO approved groundbreaking amendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code. These amendments, developed through the Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG), add a seventh competency requirement to Table A-VI/1-4, specifically addressing:
"Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault"
Entry into Force Date
Core Competencies (STCW Table A-VI/1-4)
All seafarers must demonstrate competence through approved instruction or attendance at an approved course covering:
- Violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
- The continuum of harm
- Different forms and manifestations in the maritime environment
- How these behaviors differ from acceptable workplace conduct
- Effects on victims, perpetrators, bystanders, and stakeholders
- Impact on safety, health, and wellbeing aboard ships
- Psychological and physical consequences
- Effects on ship operations and crew performance
- Long-term career and personal impacts
- Abuse of power relations and hierarchical structures
- Discrimination based on gender, nationality, race, or position
- Stress and workplace pressure
- Isolation and confined living conditions
- Fatigue and extended work hours
- Drugs or alcohol misuse
- Basic knowledge of how to intervene safely
- Reporting procedures and channels
- Documentation requirements
- Protecting confidentiality
- Supporting victims during reporting
- Basic principles of trauma-informed care
- How to provide appropriate support to victims
- Supporting bystanders and witnesses
- Self-care for responders
- When and how to seek professional help
⚓ Unique Challenges at Sea
🔒 Isolation & Confinement
- Months at sea with no escape routes
- Limited privacy in shared accommodations
- No immediate external support available
- Difficulty leaving a hostile environment
⚡ Power Imbalances
- Strong hierarchical structure
- Fear of career repercussions
- Junior seafarers more vulnerable
- Women represent only 1.2% of workforce
😰 Stress Factors
- Long working hours and fatigue
- Separation from family
- High-stress operations
- Multicultural crew dynamics
📵 Limited Oversight
- Delayed reporting mechanisms
- Limited communication with shore
- Concerns about company response
- Fear of retaliation or job loss
Identify the incident or behavior
Protect victim & witnesses
Record details immediately
Use designated channels
Provide trauma-informed care
- Your Safety First: Remove yourself from immediate danger if possible
- Say NO Clearly: If safe, clearly state the behavior is unwelcome
- Document Everything: Write down what happened (date, time, location, witnesses, exact words/actions)
- Report Immediately: Use ship's reporting channels (Master, Safety Officer, DPA)
- Use Alternative Channels: If uncomfortable reporting onboard, contact company shoreside, flag state, or port state
- Seek Medical Care: If injured, see ship's medical officer immediately
- Preserve Evidence: Keep messages, photos, clothing if assault occurred
- Know Your Rights: You are protected from retaliation
- Assess Safety: Ensure you can intervene safely
- Intervene if Safe: Use bystander intervention techniques
- Support the Victim: Check on them privately, offer support
- Document What You Saw: Write detailed notes immediately
- Report the Incident: File witness report even if victim doesn't report
- Maintain Confidentiality: Don't gossip about the incident
- Be Available: Offer to provide statement during investigation
- Follow Up: Check on the victim's wellbeing
- Immediate Action: Respond within 24 hours of report
- Ensure Safety: Separate parties if necessary, ensure victim safety
- Listen Without Judgment: Take all reports seriously
- Maintain Confidentiality: Need-to-know basis only
- Document Thoroughly: Complete incident report forms
- Contact DPA/Company: Notify shore management immediately
- Preserve Evidence: CCTV footage, logs, statements
- Provide Support: Access to medical care, counseling
- No Retaliation: Protect reporter from any reprisals
- Follow SMS Procedures: Implement company policies
2024
IMO MSC 108 adopted amendments to STCW Code Table A-VI/1-4 following recommendations from Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group.
Dec 2025
Training Providers: Update PSSR courses to include new requirements
Ship Operators: Update Safety Management Systems (SMS)
Flag States: Ensure approval systems ready for new certifications
Seafarers: Check with training providers about updated courses
2026
All seafarers joining ships after this date must have completed updated PSSR training including violence and harassment prevention.
Onwards
Port State Control: May inspect for compliance
Flag State Inspections: Verify certificates and SMS implementation
All Renewals: Must include updated training content
Continuous Improvement: Monitor and enhance programs
In addition to STCW training, the IMO is revising ISM Code guidance to require ships to incorporate violence and harassment prevention into their Safety Management Systems:
✓ Required SMS Elements
- Written Policies: Clear anti-harassment and anti-violence policies
- Prevention Procedures: Proactive measures to prevent incidents
- Reporting Procedures: Multiple confidential reporting channels
- Investigation Protocols: Fair and thorough investigation procedures
- Disciplinary Framework: Clear consequences for violations
- Victim Support: Access to medical, psychological, and legal support
- Non-Retaliation Policy: Protection for those who report
- Training Records: Documentation of all crew training
- Incident Records: Confidential record-keeping systems
- Review Mechanisms: Regular policy reviews and updates
- Verify training providers have updated PSSR courses
- Ensure courses cover all new STCW requirements
- Confirm IMO Model Course 1.21 updates (when available)
- Schedule crew for updated training before Jan 2026
- Keep records of all certifications
- Update company SMS with violence/harassment policies
- Establish confidential reporting mechanisms
- Create investigation procedures
- Implement victim support protocols
- Ensure shore-based support available 24/7
- Distribute policies to all crew and shore staff
- Post reporting procedures in common areas
- Include in crew handbooks and manuals
- Conduct awareness briefings
- Make available in multiple languages
- Ensure all crew have valid updated certificates
- Maintain training records onboard
- Have SMS documentation readily available
- Prepare for Port State Control questions
- Regular internal audits of compliance
- Leadership commitment from top management
- Zero-tolerance messaging from senior officers
- Regular safety meetings addressing harassment
- Encourage open communication
- Recognize and reward respectful behavior
- Track incident reports and trends
- Conduct anonymous crew surveys
- Review and update policies annually
- Learn from industry best practices
- Continuous improvement mindset
International Maritime Organization
Website: www.imo.org
STCW Information: Check latest amendments and model courses
Interactive World Map: Reporting channels by flag state
International Labour Organization
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)
ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment
Seafarers' rights information
ICS: International Chamber of Shipping
ITF: International Transport Workers' Federation
WISTA: Women's International Shipping & Trading Association
Guidance documents and best practices
SOCP: Ship Operations Cooperative Program
SASH Prevention Tools & Training
USMMA EMBARC Standards: Every Mariner Builds a Respectful Culture
Required for U.S.-flag operators
Seafarers Hospital Society
Mission to Seafarers
Sailors' Society
Confidential support and counseling services
Contact port state welfare officers when in port
Can provide confidential support
Connect you with local resources
Assist with reporting if needed
✓ You Have Rights - You Are Protected
- ✓ You have the right to work free from violence and harassment
- ✓ Reporting is your right - you will not face retaliation
- ✓ What happened is not your fault - victims are never to blame
- ✓ You will be supported - medical, psychological, and legal help available
- ✓ Confidentiality will be maintained - information shared on need-to-know basis only
- ✓ You are not alone - many resources and people want to help
- ✓ Speaking up helps everyone - reporting protects other seafarers
- ✓ Zero tolerance means zero tolerance - all reports taken seriously
- ✓ Your career will not suffer - you are protected from negative consequences
- ✓ Change is happening - the industry is committed to improvement
🎯 Action Summary - What You Need to Do
For Seafarers:
- Complete updated PSSR training before Jan 1, 2026
- Understand new reporting procedures on your ship
- Know your rights and support resources
- Speak up if you witness inappropriate behavior
For Ship Operators:
- Update SMS with harassment prevention policies
- Ensure all training providers are compliant
- Schedule crew training before deadline
- Establish confidential reporting systems
For Training Providers:
- Update PSSR courses with new content
- Follow IMO Model Course guidance (when released)
- Ensure assessments cover all requirements
- Obtain flag state approval for updated courses