INFLUENE OF REGULATORY ACTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINIAN MARITIME EDUCATION SYSTEM (END OF THE 20TH – BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY)

Abstract

During the second half of the 20th century there emerge innovative concepts and approaches in the field of
maritime education and training. The shift from knowledge-based education system to the system based on
competency approach as well as constant need in rectification and upgrading of seafarers’ competencies caused
maritime educational establishments to go out of direct influence of state maritime administrations only. The article touches upon the issue of the European Union and International Maritime Organization regulatory
acts and legislation aimed at unification of requirements concerning education, training and certification of
seafarers at the end of the 20th – beginning of the 21st century. The role of European Maritime Safety Agency
in monitoring and controlling the compliance of national maritime educational systems with the international
requirements is considered.
To reach the defined and unified minimum level of seafarers’ training to comply with the latest requirements,
introduces onboard and ashore, there was implemented STCW Convention. Implementation of provisions
given in STCW Convention and Code was up to the governments of individual states; their task was to ratify
the international legislation and to introduce changes into national systems of education. The provisions
of the EU, namely the Directive 2008/106, played the decisive role in the process of unification. European
Maritime Safety Agency ensured monitoring and control over the compliance with the international standards
of seafarers’ education and training in the third countries.
Special attention was paid to the influence of the above-mentioned processes on the development of
Ukrainian system of maritime education. Ukraine, as the state with long-lasting traditions in maritime education
and training joined these processes and Ukrainian seafarers took leading positions in the international labour
market due to this.