NVIC 07-98: IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases guidance

Commandant 2100 Second Street, S.W. United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-0001 Staff Symbol: (G-MSO-1) Phone: (202) 267-0229 Fax: (202) 267-4570 COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 28 August 1998 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. Subj: THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION STANDARD MARINE COMMUNICATION PHRASES

The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — PURPOSE. This Circular calls attention to the need for mates, chief mates, and masters on

seagoing ships to be able to understand and use the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), and provides a copy of the IMO SMCP for use in original or refresher training.

The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None

The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — BACKGROUND.

a. In 1993, the IMO embarked on a comprehensive revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW) to establish the highest practical standards of competence for mariners and to reduce human error as a major cause of marine casualties. On 7 July 1995, a conference of Parties to the STCW adopted a package of amendments to the Convention which establishes requirements for qualification of masters, officers, watchkeeping, and other crew personnel on seagoing merchant vessels operating outside the boundary line and the responsibilities of companies that operate such vessels. The 1995 STCW Amendments entered into force on 1 February 1997. b. STCW Regulations II/1, II/2, and II/3 require mariners seeking initial certification as officer in charge of a navigational watch (i.e., mate), chief mate, or master on a seagoing ship to meet specific standards of competence. One of these standards, identified in table A-II/1 in the STCW Code, is the ability to understand and use the IMO SMCP.

The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — DISCUSSION.

a.

Under Coast Guard regulations published on 26 June 1997, to implement the new STCW requirements (see Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 10.901 and 10.903), any candidate for certification as a mate, chief mate or master on a seagoing ship of 200 gross registered tons (GRT) or more who begins approved sea service or training after 1 August 1998, must meet the standards of competence as set out in the appropriate STCW regulations.

Similarly, those who apply for certification as a mate, chief mate, or master on a seagoing ship of 200 GRT or more on or after 1 February 2002, must also meet the standards of competence as set out in the appropriate STCW regulations. b.

The IMO SMCP is an English-based dictionary of words and phrases applicable to a wide range of shipboard situations.

Its purpose is (a) “to assist in the greater safety of navigation” and (b) “to standardize the language used in communication for navigation at sea, in port approaches, in waterways, harbors and on board vessels.” The phrases in the IMO SMCP are not intended to replace or contradict the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), the International Code of Signals, or normal radiotelephone practice as set out in the international radio regulations. c.

The IMO SMCP is divided into four parts as follows: Part I is general and addresses such matters as spelling, numbers, positions, bearings, courses, distances, speed, time, and geographical names.

Part II is a glossary of standard terms with nautical definitions.

Part III concerns external communication phrases for distress communications; search and rescue communications; urgency communications (e.g., engine problems); safety communications (e.g., weather warnings); pilotage arrangements; special situations (e.g., helicopter operations); and vessel traffic service (VTS) standard phrases.

Part IV contains on-board communication phrases, for operative ship-handling (e.g., standard wheel orders, standard engine orders, watch relief responsibilities, and communications with a pilot on the bridge); fire drills, abandon ship drills; damage control; man overboard; cargo stowage and handling; and passenger care. d.

IMO describes the current SMCP as a draft document.

It is in use for a trial period during which persons involved in maritime communications and training, are encouraged to make use of the phrases to learn where they might be improved.

The maritime industry should report the results of any trials using SMCP to IMO so the appropriate IMO body can take the information into account before the document becomes final.

No significant changes are anticipated.

The International Maritime Organization Standard Marine Communication Phrases — ACTION.

a.

Active mates, chief mates, and masters on seagoing ships should familiarize themselves with the enclosed IMO SMCP. b.

Maritime training institutions should use the enclosed IMO SMCP as guidance when developing training programs leading to certification as mate, chief mate or master on seagoing ships.

Encl: (1) IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (MSC/Circ.794) Non-Standard Distribution: B:a G-MSO(4); G-MOC(4); G-MOA(2); G-MSE(1); G-MSR(1); G-M(1); G-MS(1) C:e New Orleans (90); Hampton Roads (50); Baltimore (45); San Francisco (40); Philadelphia, Port Arthur, Honolulu, Puget Sound (35); Miami, Houston, Mobile, Morgan City, Los Angeles/Long Beach (25); Jacksonville, Portland OR, Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Galveston, Anchorage, Cleveland, Louisville, Memphis, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St.

Louis, San Juan, Savannah, Tampa, Chicago, Buffalo, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez, Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo, Guam (20).

C:m New York (70); Sturgeon Bay (4).

D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD (Code N-7CG) (1).

RSPA (DHM-22), CG Liaison Officer MARAD (MAR-720.2) (1).

NOAA Fleet Inspection Officer (1).

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION 4 ALBERT EMBANKMANET MSC/Circ.794 LONDON SE1 7SR 10 June 1997 TELEPHONE: 0171-735-7611 FAX: 0171-587-3210 TELEX: 23588 IMOLDN G IMO STANDARD MARINE COMMUNICATION PHRASES (SMCPs) 1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-eighth session (28 May to 6 June 1997), considered draft "Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCPs)" prepared by the Sub- Committee on Safety of Navigation and approved their dissemination by this circular. 2 The Committee invited Member Governments and international organizations concerned to conduct trials using the SMCPs attached hereto.

Trials, preferably in non-English speaking areas, should be conducted on board ships, by maritime training institutes, search and rescue organizations, hydrographic offices, VTS personnel, pilots, port authorities and by any others involved in maritime communications who may be expected to use the SMCPs in the future. 3 Member Governments are requested to report the results of such experimental use of the SMCPs to the Organization as early as possible and preferably by March 1999 so as to be available for consideration in sufficient time before the forty-fifth session of the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, which, in finalizing them, should take into account any comments thereon from the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping. ***