STCW basic safety training is the first box you have to tick if you are getting into yachting. It is the safety qualification commercial yachts expect every crew member to hold, so here is exactly what it is, what is in it and how long it lasts.
Key points
- STCW basic safety training is four short courses: personal survival, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibility.
- It is usually run as one block of around five days, though length and cost vary by school and country.
- The personal survival and fire fighting elements must be updated every five years with approved refresher training; the MCA does not require first aid or personal safety to be updated.
- Get your ENG1 medical before you pay for the courses.
What STCW actually is
STCW stands for the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Basic safety training is the entry-level package every crew member on a commercial yacht needs, whatever department they work in. It exists for one reason: so that if something goes wrong on board, every single person knows what to do.
The four STCW basic safety training courses
- Personal Survival Techniques: abandoning ship, liferafts, lifejackets and surviving in the water (this is the one with the pool session).
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting: spotting, containing and physically fighting fire on board.
- Elementary First Aid: immediate casualty care to keep someone alive until help arrives.
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility: working safely, your rights and responsibilities, and living alongside a crew.
If you will be on a vessel that the ISPS security code applies to, you will also complete Proficiency in Security Awareness, and crew with assigned security duties take a further designated security duties course.
How long it takes and what it costs
The four courses are usually run together as a single block, often around five days, though schools vary. Cost varies by school and country, so check with a few approved providers. It is one of the cheaper steps into the industry. The bigger expense is usually travel and living costs while you then look for work. Many providers bundle STCW into a wider deckhand or stewardess course with extra skills and CV support.
| Course | What you learn | Needs revalidating? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Survival Techniques | Liferafts, lifejackets, abandoning ship, survival in the water | Yes, every five years |
| Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting | Fire prevention, detection and fire fighting | Yes, every five years |
| Elementary First Aid | Immediate casualty care | No (not required by the MCA) |
| Personal Safety and Social Responsibility | Safe working, rights, crew relationships | No (not required by the MCA) |
🎧 Study on watch: Once the courses are done, keep building your knowledge on watch. The Audio Fastlane app has narrated, captain-written courses built around the MCA syllabus. Get the courses in the Audio Fastlane app →
How often you have to renew STCW basic safety training
STCW basic safety training is not a one-and-done. If you are serving on board, the MCA requires documentary evidence that you completed or updated your Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting training within the last five years. Updating means an MCA-approved refresher course: sea time on its own does not renew these certificates, although if you can declare recent on-board drills and training you may be allowed onto a shorter refresher course. The MCA does not require Elementary First Aid or Personal Safety and Social Responsibility to be updated. If your certificates lapse you will need to refresh them before you can work, so diarise your dates. Always confirm the current rules with the MCA or your approved training provider.
Do this in the right order
One piece of advice that saves people money: book your ENG1 medical before you pay for STCW. The ENG1 is the fitness-for-sea medical, and eyesight is a common sticking point. Colour vision is tested with the Ishihara plates, and if you fail them a deck crew member can be given an ENG1 restricted from lookout duties unless they pass a further MCA-approved colour test, so there is no point spending on courses until you know where you stand. We walk through the full beginner path, ENG1 included, in how to become a superyacht deckhand.
With STCW and ENG1 in hand you are eligible to look for work. The next job is a sharp CV, so see how to write a yacht CV.
Frequently asked questions
What is STCW basic safety training?
It is the entry-level safety qualification expected of crew on commercial yachts, made up of four courses: personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibility.
How long does STCW basic safety training take?
The four courses are usually run together over around five days, though this varies by school.
How often does STCW need renewing?
Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting must be updated every five years with an MCA-approved refresher course. Elementary First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility do not need updating under MCA rules, though some employers or other flag states may ask for a refresher.
Do I need STCW to work on a superyacht?
In practice, yes. Commercial yachts expect STCW basic safety training, along with a valid ENG1 medical certificate.
Should I do STCW or my ENG1 first?
Do your ENG1 medical first. Eyesight, including the Ishihara colour vision test, is a common sticking point, and a colour vision failure can leave deck crew with a restricted certificate. There is no point paying for STCW before you know you can pass the medical.
How much does STCW basic safety training cost?
It varies by school and country, so there is no single price. Compare several approved providers and check what the fee includes, such as certificates, accommodation or a bundled deckhand course.
Related guides
- How to become a superyacht deckhand
- How to write a yacht CV that gets you hired
- Yacht crew qualifications explained
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