The revised STCW Convention (and the ISM Code) has placed additional emphasis on the need for seafarers to be able to communicate effectively. In the case of external communications between navigators and other ships or shore authorities this normally necessitates a knowledge of English, whilst on board ships with multinational crews the working language is increasingly likely to be English.

ISF is keen to encourage English language training and has agreed to finance the production of an IMO model course on the subject. Meanwhile, in co-operation with Marlins, the maritime English language training experts, ISF has a launched an upgraded version of the computer based ISF Marlins English Language Test. The new version incorporates additional questions using the new IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP).

The status of the SMCP, however, is somewhat complicated. Although they have not yet been officially adopted by IMO there are already references to their use in STCW 95. ISF is optimistic that the adoption of the phrases will assist the improvement of English language among seafarers. Currently, however, ISF has serious concerns about the content and purpose of the existing draft phrases. There are far too many of them to be useful and they could actually be harmful to the teaching of English if it encourages the concept of learning occupational phrases by rote rather than the practice of genuine communication in English. ISF has raised these concerns with IMO and has made suggestions, which it is hoped will be debated during the second half of 1999, as to how the SMCP might be improved.