STCW Basic Safety Training UK — What to Expect and Why Everyone Should Do It

STCW Basic Safety Training UK — What to Expect and Why Everyone Should Do It

I have done STCW Basic Safety Training more than once. I have done it for the first time, I have done the refresher, and every single time I have come away thinking that was genuinely excellent training. It is one of the best weeks you will spend in maritime training — and I say that having done a lot of training over nearly two decades at sea – it seems to be one of them courses where you meet brilliant people in a variety of jobs.

Here is everything you need to know about it, written by someone who has actually been through it rather than just read the syllabus.

What Is STCW Basic Safety Training?

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is an international convention adopted by the International Maritime Organization — that sets the minimum training standards for anyone working on commercial vessels over 24 metres in length.

In plain English: if you want to work professionally on a ship, superyacht, commercial vessel, or cruise ship, you need STCW Basic Safety Training. It is non-negotiable. And honestly — even if you own a yacht and never intend to work commercially, I would still say get it. You will learn more about being safe on the water in one week than most people learn in a lifetime of recreational sailing.

The Five Modules

The course runs for five days, Monday to Friday, and is a mix of classroom theory and practical training. Each day typically ends with a short quiz — nothing to stress about, they are designed to reinforce what you have learned rather than trip you up, but pay attention because occasionally there is a question designed to keep you on your toes.

Here are the five modules, what they are officially called, and what you actually do:

Module 1 — Personal Survival Techniques (PST) STCW Table A-VI/1-1
Sea survival. This is one of the most practical modules — you get in the water, you practise abandoning ship, you use lifejackets and immersion suits, and you work with liferafts. It is physical, it is hands-on, and it gives you real confidence that you know what to do if the worst happens.

Module 2 — Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) STCW Table A-VI/1-2
This is where it gets properly exciting. Hot, dark, smoky, slightly spooky — and genuinely brilliant. You learn about the different types of fire that can occur on a vessel and how to tackle them. The practical sessions involve actual firefighting in smoke-filled environments. I have done this multiple times and it never gets boring. One person on my course failed this module because he simply did not listen to the instructions. It can happen — so pay attention.

Module 3 — Elementary First Aid (EFA) STCW Table A-VI/1-3
Practical first aid covering CPR, bleeding, fractures, burns, and emergency response. Straightforward but important. You do not need any prior first aid knowledge — they teach you everything from scratch.

Module 4 — Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) STCW Table A-VI/1-4
The most classroom-based of the five modules — think of it as the professional and safety awareness element. Safety procedures, accident prevention, working environment at sea, employment conditions. The first day of the course tends to be heavier on this content, which can feel a bit classroom-bound after the excitement of what is coming. Do not let it put you off — the practical modules more than make up for it.

Module 5 — Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA)
Not always listed as a core module but now included by most training centres at no extra cost. Covers vessel security awareness, recognising potential threats, and security responsibilities at sea. Sounds dry — but I have been on a course where we were searching the vessel for fake IEDs as part of the practical element, which was about as far from a classroom as it gets.

Who Needs STCW Basic Safety Training?

Officially: anyone working on a commercial vessel over 24 metres in length. That covers merchant shipping, superyachts, cruise ships, offshore support vessels, and ferries.

My honest answer: anyone who spends serious time on the water. We had a close protection officer on my course. We had people from all sorts of backgrounds. The skills you learn — firefighting, sea survival, first aid — are relevant on any vessel. If you own a yacht and take family and friends out, think about it seriously.

One more thing worth mentioning: the maritime training community is genuinely excellent. You meet brilliant people on these courses. People talk. Contacts happen. More than one person I know has picked up work through conversations that started on an STCW week. It is worth doing for the network alone. I made so many brilliant contacts each time I visited the Academy

What to Bring

— Swimwear and a towel — you will get wet
— One change of warm clothing
— Notebook and pens — I always bring coloured pens, it genuinely helps you retain information across a week of intensive content
— Photographic ID — passport or driving licence. Non-negotiable, no ID means no course
— Snacks — long days mean you will want them

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices vary between training centres but expect to pay somewhere between £500 and £800 for the full five-day STCW Basic Safety Training week. Some employers cover the cost — worth checking before you pay yourself.

Where to Do It

I completed my STCW Basic at Seahaven Maritime Academy and have returned there for my refreshers. There are approved MCA training centres across the UK. Find your nearest MCA approved training centres HERE.

The Refresher

Your STCW certificate is valid for five years. After that you need to complete an STCW Update course — sometimes called a Basic Training Update — to keep it current. The update runs over three days rather than five and covers the same core modules at a refresher level.

FAQs

Can you fail STCW Basic Safety Training?
Yes, though it is not easy to do if you engage properly. One person on my course failed the firefighting module by not following instructions. Pay attention, participate, and you will be fine.

Do you need an ENG1 medical before doing STCW?
Not always — requirements vary by training provider and by what you plan to do after. Check with your chosen centre before booking. If you intend to work on vessels over 24 metres you will need an ENG1 at some point regardless.

Is STCW the same as BOSIET?
No. STCW Basic Safety Training is the standard qualification for commercial seafarers globally. BOSIET is specifically for offshore oil and gas workers and includes helicopter underwater escape training not covered in STCW.

Can recreational sailors do STCW?
Yes. There is no restriction on recreational sailors doing the course. I would actively encourage it.

The information in this article is for general guidance. Always verify current course requirements and content with your chosen MCA-approved training provider. STCW requirements are governed by the International Maritime Organization — imo.org — and administered in the UK by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency — gov.uk/mca.