STCW Basic Safety Training
STCW Basic Safety Training is the internationally recognised safety qualification required to work on commercial vessels and superyachts worldwide. Essential for anyone starting a career in the superyacht and maritime industry.
Description
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. Introduced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), STCW sets the global standard for professional maritime safety training.
STCW Basic Safety Training is the internationally recognised entry-level qualification required for crew working on commercial vessels, superyachts, charter yachts, and many professional maritime operations worldwide.
The STCW code was updated in 1995 to require all crew to complete basic emergency and safety training, with further updates in 2010 introducing mandatory security awareness training.
MCA training centre
Flying Fish is recognised by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to deliver STCW 2010 courses at our training centre in Cowes, UK.
We have been delivering professional maritime and superyacht training for over 17 years, helping thousands of students prepare for careers at sea.
Course programme
The STCW Basic Safety Training week consists of five short courses delivered over six days.
Personal Survival Techniques – 1 day
This practical course covers survival suits, hypothermia, life rafts, emergency procedures, and survival techniques at sea. Training includes a wet drill in the swimming pool where you will practise launching and boarding a liferaft.
Elementary First Aid – 1 day
Learn immediate response skills for common onboard medical emergencies, including CPR, casualty assessment, bleeding control, burns, shock, and emergency first aid procedures.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting – 2.5 days
Learn fire prevention, hazard awareness, firefighting techniques, incident response procedures, breathing apparatus use, team coordination, and live firefighting exercises.
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) – 0.5 days
Covers shipboard emergencies, alarms and signals, safe working practices, enclosed spaces, pollution prevention, accident prevention, crew responsibilities, harassment awareness, and personal safety onboard.
Proficiency in Security Awareness – 0.5 days
Develop an understanding of maritime security threats, security awareness procedures, vigilance onboard, and the importance of maintaining safe and secure vessel operations.
Where to stay during your course
Our STCW course takes place in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, one of the UK’s best-known sailing centres.
If you choose our accommodation option, you will stay in one of our centrally located crew houses, just a short 2-minute walk from both the town centre and our training facilities.
Accommodation can be added as an optional extra when booking your course.
A twin-share room in our self-catering crew accommodation costs A$650 per week.
What's included
- All safety equipment, publications, and certification.
- Local transport to and from training locations on the Isle of Wight
Qualifications
- STCW Elementary First Aid
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques
- STCW Elementary Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness
Before you start
- There are no formal pre-course requirements for this course.
- Fire Fighting and Personal Survival are physically demanding and require a good level of fitness.
- For successful completion, 100% attendance is required and students are expected to actively participate in all elements of the course.
What next?
- Looking for a career in yachting? Check our Yachtmaster Fast Track programme.
- If you want to work as a deck crew on Superyachts you also need an RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate and a Marine Radio Operator license.