The Evolution of Seafarer Education
and Training in International Law
Michael Ekow Manuel and Raphael Baumler
Abstract This chapter discusses the regulation of the education and training of
seafarers in an international context under public international law. A brief look is
taken at the history of seafarer education and training followed by a substantive
treatment of the approaches and regulatory efforts of States in this respect. The
shortcomings of a wholly national approach are discussed and the rationale for an
international law approach presented. While the international approach has had
many benefits in an increasingly globalised world, it has not been without challenges. The evolution of the international legal framework, particularly that of the
STCW Convention 1978, as amended, is presented together with some related
challenges in international law. The issue of sovereignty as a primary challenge to
international law, and how this sovereignty may be perceived as being increasingly
eroded is discussed. Finally, new/future challenges and how they could impact
seafarer education and training and international law, are discussed.
1 Introduction: Historical Evolution of Seafarer Education
and Training
The education and training of seafarers has a long history beginning from the dawn
of humanity. From the age of reliance on oars and then sails and the use of handheld
lead lines, seafarer competence and how to achieve it has been germane to the
development of water-based transportation. It has always been recognized that the
seafaring profession is one of immense danger, resulting from the nature of the work
and the harsh environmental context within which it is undertaken.
Given the risks associated with the maritime venture, the movement by sea of
homo sapiens around the globe not only demonstrates the adaptive skills of the
species but also its seafaring abilities. Archaeological works suggest open-ocean
M. E. Manuel (*) · R. Baumler
World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden
e-mail: mem@wmu.se; rb@wmu.se
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
P. K. Mukherjee et al. (eds.), Maritime Law in Motion, WMU Studies in Maritime
Affairs 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31749-2_22
471
and Training in International Law
Michael Ekow Manuel and Raphael Baumler
Abstract This chapter discusses the regulation of the education and training of
seafarers in an international context under public international law. A brief look is
taken at the history of seafarer education and training followed by a substantive
treatment of the approaches and regulatory efforts of States in this respect. The
shortcomings of a wholly national approach are discussed and the rationale for an
international law approach presented. While the international approach has had
many benefits in an increasingly globalised world, it has not been without challenges. The evolution of the international legal framework, particularly that of the
STCW Convention 1978, as amended, is presented together with some related
challenges in international law. The issue of sovereignty as a primary challenge to
international law, and how this sovereignty may be perceived as being increasingly
eroded is discussed. Finally, new/future challenges and how they could impact
seafarer education and training and international law, are discussed.
1 Introduction: Historical Evolution of Seafarer Education
and Training
The education and training of seafarers has a long history beginning from the dawn
of humanity. From the age of reliance on oars and then sails and the use of handheld
lead lines, seafarer competence and how to achieve it has been germane to the
development of water-based transportation. It has always been recognized that the
seafaring profession is one of immense danger, resulting from the nature of the work
and the harsh environmental context within which it is undertaken.
Given the risks associated with the maritime venture, the movement by sea of
homo sapiens around the globe not only demonstrates the adaptive skills of the
species but also its seafaring abilities. Archaeological works suggest open-ocean
M. E. Manuel (*) · R. Baumler
World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden
e-mail: mem@wmu.se; rb@wmu.se
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
P. K. Mukherjee et al. (eds.), Maritime Law in Motion, WMU Studies in Maritime
Affairs 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31749-2_22
471