KUP 30: Have adequate knowledge of the English language to enable the officer to use charts and other nautical publications, to understand meteorological information and messages concerning ship’s safety and operation, to communicate with other ships, coast stations and VTS centres and to perform the officer’s duties also with a multilingual crew, including the ability to use and understand the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (IMO SMCP)
Learning objective:
1. To equip officers with the necessary English language skills to effectively perform their duties, including navigation, communication, and safety operations.
2. Adequate knowledge of English is crucial for maritime officers to ensure safe and efficient ship operations. Mastery of charts, meteorological information, and communication protocols, including the IMO SMCP, enhances the officer’s ability to perform duties effectively and fosters a collaborative environment in a multilingual crew setting.
Content
1. Importance of English in Maritime Operations
English plays an important role in the maritime industry as the universal language of the sea, enabling seamless communication between crew members from diverse linguistic backgrounds, as well as between ships, coastal stations, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) centers. Its importance extends to ensuring communication efficiency by providing a standardized medium for exchanging vital information, which is critical in maintaining safe and coordinated operations. In addition, the ability to understand and relay meteorological data and safety messages in English is essential for navigational safety, helping to prevent accidents and enhance overall maritime operations.
Furthermore, the use of standardized maritime English is key for multilingual crew interaction, ensuring that all crew members, especially non-native English speakers, can comprehend commands and instructions. This common terminology streamlines routine operations, minimizing miscommunication. Additionally, cultural sensitivity plays a significant role in fostering an inclusive environment, where respect for cultural differences enhances teamwork, promoting smoother, more effective collaboration on board.
2. IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
The Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) is a set of key phrases in the English language (which is the internationally recognised language of the sea), supported by the international community for use at sea and developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They aim to explain:
- Onboard communication phrases – communication within the ship.
- External communication phrases – ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication.
Under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, the ability to understand and use the SMCP is required for the certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or above [1].
3. Organization of the IMO SMCP
The IMO ( the International Maritime Organization) “is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships [2].” The IMO SMCP is divided into External Communication Phrases and On-board Communication Phrases as far as its application is concerned, and into Part A and Part B as to its status within the framework of STCW 1978 as revised.
Part A covers phrases applicable in external communications, and may be regarded as the replacement of the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary 1985, which is required to be used and understood under the STCW Code, 1995, Table A-II/I. This part is enriched by essential phrases concerning ship handling and safety of navigation to be used in onboard communications, particularly when the Pilot is on the bridge, as required by Regulation 14(4), Chapter V, SOLAS 1974, as revised.
Part B calls attention to other on-board standard safety-related phrases which, supplementary to Part A may also be regarded as useful for maritime English instruction.
In November 2001, the twenty-second Assembly adopted the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) and recommended a wide circulation to all prospective users and all maritime education authorities [1]. See the following file.
Recommendation
Following are some maritime words that in most cases you will use on board:
References
- IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases. https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/safety/pages/standardmarinecommunicationphrases.aspx
- Introduction to IMO. https://www.imo.org/en/About/Pages/Default.aspx