What is STCW Basic Safety Training

The term STCW Basic Safety Training is an acronym from the international convention on: Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978.

STCW Basic Safety Training is an international standard set of training courses for seafarers decided in 1978 and which was brought into action in 1984, amended in 1995, and again in the 2010  Manilla amendments. These 2010 amendments came into force January 2017.

Who Created the STCW?

The International Maritime Organisation is responsible for the overall training to STCW standards, whilst individual member state maritime organisations take responsibility for interpreting these, setting course syllabi, accrediting centres, and enforcing the standards. If a countries maritime training’ standards are deemed sufficient to meet the IMO standards that country is then placed on what’s called a white list – The UK Maritime & Coastgaurd Agency  is on the white list and one of the preferred accreditations.

Why do we need STCW?

Before the STCW convention, training standards were set by the individual countries and, with the inevitable local variations in content and standards, it caused  some problems within the international maritime industry. Essentially it is much easier if everyone is trained to the same standards.

Whats the difference between STCW 95 and STCW 2010? 

Short answer: nothing really, if you book your STCW you will get the most up to date certification.

Longer answer: You may hear people talking about getting their ‘STCW 95’ , ‘STCW’ 2010, or STCW 10. The official name for the course they are referring to is simply ‘STCW Basic Safety Training’ There are no requirements to quote the amendment years. Basic Safety Training used to be called STCW95 many years ago, the course was then amended in 2010 to bring about some changes, most notable of wich was the update process, so the course became known colloquially as STCW 2010 even though this was never an official course name. See short answer above.

Do I Need STCW Basic Safety Training?

Generally speaking, if you want to work internationally in the maritime industry you will need, STCW Basic Safety Training.

What is involved in the STCW Basic Safety Training? 

STCW is actually a package of 4 courses:

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibility
• Fire prevention & Fire Fighting
• Elementary first aid
• Personal Survival techniques

When booking the full STCW course with Allabroad the STCW Security Awareness course is included complementary.

How long do my STCW certificates last?

You have to complete an update course every 5 years. The 2010 amendments were mostly relating to the requirements for an update course which have been enforced since 2017.

What else do I need to work at sea?

In conjunction with your STCW  certification you will require an ENG 1 Medical. We can often organise this, with all your training, in Gibraltar.

Is all STCW certification the same?

By its very nature the STCW certification should be the same and should be accepted world wide, and mostly it is – BUT the training MUST be accredited by an official national maritime body (UK MCA, USCG for example) AND that country MUST be on an approved ´White List´ at the International Maritime Organisation.

The UK MCA accredited STCW is well respected in the industry but any countries version of the STCW BST course should be accepted so long as that country is on the IMO ´White List´ and the course meets all the criteria.

Can I Complete my STCW Basic Safety Training online?

Dates / Course Fees