18.5.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L136/17 DIRECTIVE 2001/25/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of seafarers THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (1), Having consulted the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1) Council Directive 94/58/EC of 22 November 1994 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (°) has been substancially amended (%). In the interests of clarity and rationality, it should therefore be consolidated. (2)  Actions to be taken at Community level in the field of maritime safety and pollution prevention at sea should be in line with internationally agreed rules and stan- dards. (3) In its conclusions of 25 January 1993 on maritime safety and pollution prevention in the Community, the Council noted the importance of the human element in the safe operation of ships. (4)  Inits resolution of 8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe seas (°), the Council set the objective of removing substandard crews and gave priority to Community action aiming at enhancing training and education by developing common standards for minimum training levels of key personnel, including the question of a common language on board Community vessels. (5)  In its resolution of 24 March 1997 (%) on a new strategy to increase the competitiveness of Community shipping the Council sought to promote the employment of Community seafarers and shore-based personnel. To that end the Council agreed that action should be undertaken to help Community shipping to continue striving for high quality and improve its competitiveness by () O] C 14, 16.1.2001, p. 41. (¥ European Parliament opinion of 12 December 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 12 March 2001. () O] L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 28. Directive as amended by Directive 98/35/EC (O] L 172, 17.6.1998, p. 1). (%) See Annex III, Part B. () O] C 271, 7.10.1993, p. 1. () O] C 109, 8.4.1997, p. 1. ensuring the continued high-quality training of Community seafarers of all ranks and of shore-based personnel. (6)  The standards of training for the award of vocational competency certificates to seafarers vary from one Member State to another. Such a diversity of national laws in the area of training covered by this Directive does not ensure the consistent level of training required in the interests of maritime safety. (7)  Council Directives 89/48/EEC () and 92/51/EEC (}) on the general system for the recognition of professional education and training apply to maritime occupations covered by this Directive. They will help promote compliance with the obligations laid down in the Treaty abolishing obstacles to the free movement of persons and services between Member States. (8)  The mutual recognition of diplomas and certificates provided for under the general system Directives does not always ensure a standardised level of training for all seafarers serving on board vessels flying the flag of a Member State. This is, however, vital from the viewpoint of maritime safety. (9) It is therefore essential to define a minimum level of training for seafarers in the Community. It is appropriate that the action in this field should be based on the standards of training already agreed at international level, namely the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention on Standards of Training, Certi- fication and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention), as revised in 1995; all Member States are Parties to that Convention. (100 Member States may establish standards higher than the minimum standards laid down in the STCW Convention and this Directive. (11)  The Regulations of the STCW Convention set out in Annex [ to this Directive should be supplemented by the mandatory provisions contained in Part A of the STCW Code. Part B of the STCW Code contains recommended guidance intended to assist Parties to the STCW Conven- tion and those involved in implementing, applying or enforcing its measures to give the Convention full and complete effect in uniform manner. () Oj L 19, 24.1.1989, p. 16. () OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 25. Directive as last amended by Commis- sion Directive 2000/5/EC (O] L 54, 26.2.2000, p. 42).