Launch Your Maritime Career
STCW Basic Safety Training
Get the essential STCW certification you need to work at sea with South West Maritime Academy.
What Is STCW Basic Safety Training?
Looking to start a career at sea? Whether you’re dreaming of working on a superyacht, a commercial vessel, or even just enjoying recreational sailing, you’ll need STCW Basic Safety Training.
This mandatory certification is essential for all aspiring seafarers and is a key requirement for many maritime jobs. Don’t get caught without it – get the training you need to stay safe and compliant.
STCW BST Course Overview
STCW95 & STCW 2010
Our comprehensive five-day STCW Basic Safety Training course, compliant with STCW95 and STCW 2010, provides the essential skills and knowledge you need to work safely and effectively on board a vessel.
This course fulfills the mandatory requirements outlined in section A-Vl/1 of the STCW Code, covering crucial topics related to the hazards of maritime work. This training is vital for anyone pursuing a professional maritime career or recreational seafaring.
STCW Basic Safety Training Course Content
Our STCW Basic Safety Training Course, often referred to as STCW95 or STCW2010, is a five-day package consisting of the following modules:
Personal Survival Techniques
Learn essential prevention and survival techniques, including both theory and practical sessions. Cover causes of distress, equipment use, life raft launch and recovery, survival skills, and search and rescue procedures.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
Understand fire risks aboard ship, how fires start, and initial extinguishing methods. Includes practical training with firefighting equipment and breathing apparatus for firefighting and rescue.
Elementary First Aid
A combination of theory and practical training for basic first aid and life-saving skills. Learn how to respond to common medical emergencies on board ship.
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
Classroom-based induction training covering safety procedures, accident prevention, and familiarisation with employment and working conditions aboard ship.
Proficiency in Security Awareness
Mandatory for all seafarers on ships complying with the ISPS code. Provides knowledge and understanding for personnel without designated security duties.
STCW Updates & Refresher Training
Upon successful completion of the STCW Basic Safety Training course, you’ll receive internationally recognised STCW certificates, valid for five years. These certificate demonstrates your competence in basic safety skills and is a mandatory requirement for working on most commercial vessels.
To maintain your certification and ensure your skills remain up-to-date, STCW update training is required every five years, as mandated by the STCW 2010 Manila amendments. This emphasises the importance of continuous professional development in the maritime industry.
Add Ons & Additional Training Options
Upon successful completion of the STCW Basic Safety Training course, you’ll receive internationally recognised STCW certificates, valid for five years. These certificate demonstrates your competence in basic safety skills and is a mandatory requirement for working on most commercial vessels.
To maintain your certification and ensure your skills remain up-to-date, STCW update training is required every five years, as mandated by the STCW 2010 Manila amendments. This emphasises the importance of continuous professional development in the maritime industry.
Crowd Management
Many of our passenger vessel students require Crowd Management in addition to their BST. This can be booked and taken fully integrated within the five days of the Basic Safety Training course.
Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
Required by crew working on a vessel who have a designated security duty. This one day course builds on the basics covered in your Proficiency in Security Awareness, which comes as part of our STCW Basic Safety Training Week package.
Crisis Management & Human Behaviour
Required by some passenger vessels, the STCW Crisis Management and Human Behaviour can supplement the Basic Safety Training, but must be taken as a stand-alone course.
Why Choose South West Maritime Academy for your STCW Basic Safety Training?
At South West Maritime Academy, we’re committed to providing the highest quality STCW Basic Safety Training, delivered by experienced professionals and fully accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Our instructors aren’t just teachers; they’re seasoned maritime experts with years of real-world experience at sea. They bring practical knowledge and insights to the classroom and practical exercises, ensuring you receive training that’s relevant, engaging, and prepares you for the realities of a maritime career. All our STCW Basic Safety Training courses meet the stringent requirements of the STCW Code, including STCW95 and STCW 2010, giving you complete confidence in your certification.
We boast some of the best maritime training facilities in the region. Our unique training environment includes:
The Lake at Cromhall Quarry: This stunning, purpose-adapted open water site provides a realistic and safe environment for practicing essential survival techniques, including lifeboat drills and personal survival skills. The controlled conditions of the lake allow for consistent training, regardless of weather.
Dedicated Fire Training Ground: Our purpose-built fire training ground is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that simulate real-world shipboard fire scenarios. You’ll gain hands-on experience using firefighting equipment, including hoses, extinguishers, and breathing apparatus, under the guidance of our expert instructors. This practical training is crucial for developing the confidence and skills needed to respond effectively to emergencies.
Our STCW Basic Safety Training course covers all five mandatory modules: Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, and Proficiency in Security Awareness.
We provide a complete package, ensuring you have all the necessary certifications to begin your maritime career. Furthermore, for those requiring additional qualifications, such as Crowd Management or Passenger Safety, we offer integrated training options for a streamlined learning experience.
South West Maritime Academy is ideally located for easy access. We’re just a 5-minute drive from Junction 14 of the M5, making us easily reachable from across the South West and beyond. Our training centre is also conveniently located near a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hotels to comfortable guesthouses, ensuring a stress-free experience for those travelling from further afield.
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