4. Model Training Record Book for Applicants to the Fourth-Class Engineer Certificate

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Annex A

4.1 Introduction

This model training record book is developed as guidance to assist parties in developing their own training record book which may be used as part of an approved on-board training program. It may be used by applicants where a company training record book is not provided or has not received approved status. The content of this book follows the structure of the STCW Convention given in section A-III/1 of the STCW Code. Nothing should prevent a party from adopting its own format or specifying the assignments presented in section A-III/1 of the Code in greater detail. Each company has responsibilities as outlined in regulation I/14 of the STCW Convention and section A-I/14 of the STCW Code.

This model training record book is based on the IMO, STCW.7/Circ.3 published 6th December 1996. It has been altered to address the additional requirements of the Canada Shipping Act and its associated regulations, together with input from the Canadian maritime industry.

This model training record book details the practical training that needs to be obtained onboard vessels. It will serve both as a guide to the practical training which should be undertaken during the mandatory period of sea service and as a record of the satisfactory completion of that training.

Each trainee is required to have his own training record book and is responsible for its safe keeping. Ship engineer officers and supervisors in charge of training will also need to consult it to facilitate planning and organisation of the training.

No on-board training or assessment should take place unless such activities can be carried out without interfering with the normal operation of the ship, jeopardising safety of life at sea, or posing a risk of marine pollution.

4.2 Scope

The aim of the practical training is for trainees to:

1. gain experience in relevant aspects of shipboard activities as they occur on board the ship on which the trainee is sailing;
2. test and compare the knowledge with the daily practice on board;
3. consolidate and expand theoretical knowledge;
4. build a practical basis to achieve the standards of competence in accordance with table A-III/1 of the STCW Code;
5. build a practical basis to achieve the standards of competence in accordance with regulation VIII/2 of the STCW Convention and the corresponding sections of Parts A and B of the STCW Code;
6. prepare for a higher position on board.

4.3 Objective

The trainees will acquire basic engineering skills and a practical awareness of the need to follow safe working practices. They will also be able to keep an engineering watch safely, in accordance with the relevant regulations and recommendations.

The aim of the training record book is three fold, namely:

1. directing the practical training, so the trainee is guided as to the objectives of the practical training period;
2. giving guidance to the engineer officers regarding the development of the practical training to enable them to judge the progress and, if necessary, to make adjustments; and
3. providing sign off space so that the required training can be proved and documented.

4.4 Approved on-board training program

Applicants for certification are required to complete 6 months of on-board training and experience. This training forms part of an overall system of training and experience approved by Marine Safety under whose authority the certificate is issued. On-board training is required to ensure that the applicant receives systematic practical training and experience which is closely supervised and monitored by qualified engineer officers and adequately documented in an approved training record book. Regulations require that engineer officers supervising and monitoring and assessing the onboard training are appropriately qualified.

Each general training activity specified in the approved training record book is required to have been completed by the applicant and supervised, monitored, assessed and documented as being satisfactorily completed.

Guidance for the Chief Engineer Officer or Supervising Engineer Officer

4.5 General

Seagoing service is a requirement for certification as a fourth-class engineer officer. The minimum length of the seagoing service is six months in the engine department under the supervision of a qualified and certificated engineer officer.

The seagoing service is an important part of the training to become a marine engineer. For the trainee to gain maximum benefit from the experience, it is essential to have the full co-operation of all officers who will be involved in the training process.

Throughout training, emphasis on safe practices is essential; trainees with little experience aboard ship will require special attention. During the period of supervised engine-room watchkeeping, the training should be aimed at putting into practice the requirements of the Watchkeeping Standards.

This record book provides a comprehensive record of the trainee's progress. Planned training at sea will ensure that the best use is made of the trainee's time and that he gains the necessary practical experience required to become a competent watchkeeping engineer. The record book should be examined by the chief engineer or master at regular intervals.

The familiarisation training should be completed as soon as practicable after the trainee joins a new ship.

When a task is completed, it should be recorded and initialled by the engineer or officer concerned.

Part of the training is to record facts about the ship and its equipment. For these and certain other tasks, it will be necessary for the trainee to have access to various documents, such as ship's plans and drawings, hydrostatic data, manufacturer's instruction manuals and other information.

These guidance notes and the record book are concerned solely with the achievement and documentation of a minimum standard of competence required of a fourth-class engineer. No attempt is made in this training record book to suggest how a trainee's suitability in other respects should be determined or reported. That is considered to be a matter for the employer.

The Training Record Book should be examined before being used:

1. to ensure it belongs to the trainee being instructed or assessed; and
2. to verify whether it has been used by an unauthorised person or whether there are suspect entries. If such indications are confirmed, the local Marine Safety office is to be advised.

Chief Engineers and/or Masters are asked to sign the appropriate section (5.1) at regular intervals or when the trainee is discharged from the vessel. Where the vessel has an official stamp, it is recommended that this be applied over the entry.

4.6 Conducting effective training

Several steps are required to make the conducting and recording of training as effective as possible, without placing an undue burden on officers, supervisors or crew members.

1. Decide who will be supervising the trainee on your ship. These should be engineering officers or experienced crew members that may be used for certain tasks. Try to spread the workload as much as possible.
2. Explain/demonstrate the basic steps in practical training. These are:
   1. explain the job to the trainee, emphasising all safety aspects;
   2. show the trainee the safe way to do the job;
   3. watch the trainee do it; and
   4. have the trainee demonstrate his knowledge or ability to the supervisor.

The supervisor/officer, when signing off an item, must be certain the trainee understands how to do the job safely.

Plan suitable times for conducting training and schedule work teams accordingly. In some cases, having the trainee work with experienced employees on a given job will allow the training on tasks associated with that job to be completed with little extra effort, as long as safety is not compromised.

Periodically review the trainee's progress. This is your opportunity to discuss the completed tasks with the trainee and an opportunity to reinforce any weak areas.

It is important to recognise positive behaviour of the trainers and trainees through the company appraisal system. This will foster a positive training environment.

Guidance for Trainees Completing this Record Book

4.7 General

Before starting to complete this manual, trainees should read it completely, in order to understand what is required and what level of effort and sign off is required. Failure to complete the manual and obtain the required signatures will hamper your ability to convince the engineering examiner that you have successfully completed the training required.

When joining a vessel or when starting this manual, trainees should inform the Chief Engineer and the appropriate engine room staff of their intention to complete the manual. Obtaining appropriate signatures will be easier if everyone is aware of this manual's content and requirements.

Before attempting a task, supervisors and watch personnel are to be aware of the specific task to be undertaken and they, in collaboration with the Chief Engineer, should set the level of supervision required.

In order to successfully complete this manual, there is a requirement to get the tasks and assignments checked off. Normally, these tasks can be signed off by the engineer of the watch or Chief Engineer.

While there is no final manual sign off, examiners will be verifying that tasks are completed and that there is an entry on the sign off page (section 5.1). Therefore, regular submission for sign off is recommended. At a minimum, trainees should ensure the manual sign off is completed before signing off a vessel. It becomes very difficult to obtain signatures once you have departed the vessel.

There are some sections and tasks that speak of steam propulsion machinery. Similarly, there are sections and tasks that refer to motor powered vessels, trainees should complete the relevant sections and tasks.

Once completed, this manual should be presented to the Marine Safety examiner when applying for the fourth-class engineer certificate of competency.

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