The basic principles that should be observed in engine work are stipulated. The legal minimum requirements and minimum knowledge requirements for the certification of the chief engineer and chief engineer of ships with main propulsion power plant of 3 000 kW and above and 750 kW~3 000 kW are stipulated, and the legal minimum requirements for the certification of engineers who are on duty in traditional manned engine rooms or assigned to unmanned engine rooms regularly are stipulated. The statutory minimum requirements to ensure that engineers are constantly proficient in business and master the latest knowledge are stipulated; The statutory minimum requirements for ordinary crew members who make up the duty part of the engine room are stipulated
The statutory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of captains, officers and crew members of oil tankers, chemical tankers and liquefied gas carriers are stipulated.
Convention standards lack precision, there is no comprehensive mandatory competency standard for seafarers, and the ability to effectively perform duties is assessed, especially the vague wording of "satisfying the competent authorities", which leaves too much flexibility and arbitrariness for the competent authorities to perform their duties, leading to different interpretations and applications of convention standards in various countries.
In the amendment of 1995, the alternative authentication mechanism was introduced for the first time. Chapter VII of the Annex to the Convention and Rules A-VII stipulate the principle of alternative certification, that is, the ability of all kinds of certified crew members should be summarized into seven functions. The responsibility level of certificate is divided into three levels: management, operation and support, also known as functional authentication method. This method allows the holder of a functional responsibility certificate to apply for another certificate through examination after having certain relevant service qualifications and completing additional education and training.
See the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978) for details.