Becoming STCW Certified: What to Expect from Maritime Safety Training

STCW Maritime Training: A Comprehensive Guide

The Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training is an intensive two-week course designed to equip aspiring seafarers with essential maritime qualifications. This comprehensive training combines theoretical knowledge, tests, practical assessments, and hands-on exercises covering six critical areas: Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, Security Awareness and Passenger Ship Crowd Management. The training prepares participants to respond professionally and effectively during emergencies.

Personal Safety and Social Responsibility

Working at sea requires constant readiness for potential emergencies. Ships face various hazards including collisions, fires, and water ingress that may necessitate abandoning the vessel. During our training, we learned that swift and appropriate responses are crucial when these situations arise.

The Muster list

When joining a vessel, crew members must familiarize themselves with the muster list, it is a critical safety document that outlines each person's emergency responsibilities. This document contains vital information including:

Lifejacket donning procedures.
Emergency assembly points (muster stations).
Assigned duties during emergencies.
Survival craft boarding and launching procedures.
Operation of survival and communication equipment.
Details about the general alarm system and public address announcements.
Actions required when the alarm sounds.

All evacuation routes, muster stations, and lifeboat locations must be clearly marked with standardized safety signs to ensure quick identification during emergencies.

The importance of emergency drills

Maritime regulations require all crew members to participate in monthly abandon ship and fire drills. These exercises must be conducted as if facing an actual emergency, and they should occur within 24 hours of leaving port. Regular drills serve several purposes:

Ensuring crew members understand their specific emergency roles.
Building familiarity with emergency equipment.
Testing contingency plans to verify their effectiveness.
Confirming that emergency equipment functions properly.

A contingency plan is essentially a step-by-step response strategy for foreseeable incidents. During drills, crews practice critical procedures such as activating the general alarm, securing watertight doors and fire doors, and maneuvering the vessel to minimize collision impact.

Lifesaving equipment

Ships carry various personal lifesaving equipment for emergency situations:

Lifebuoys are buoyant rings designed to keep people afloat in the water, particularly useful in man-overboard situations. Each lifebuoy features grab lines at four equal points around its circumference and displays the ship's name and port of registry. They're equipped with self-igniting lights and smoke signals that emit visible smoke for at least 15 minutes, even when submerged.

Lifebuoys

Lifejackets prevent drowning by keeping a person's face above water. They're designed to automatically turn an unconscious or exhausted person onto their back within five seconds, positioning the mouth clear of the water. Each lifejacket includes retro-reflective tape for nighttime visibility, an attached whistle, and a self-activating light that operates for at least eight hours.

Lifejacket

Immersion suits are waterproof, insulated garments that cover the entire body except for a small facial area. They maintain normal body temperature even during prolonged immersion in cold water, protecting against hypothermia.

Immersion suit

Communication at sea

Effective communication is fundamental to safe maritime operations. However, several barriers can interfere with clear communication between the master and crew:

Noise
Inappropriate communication methods
Poor word choice
Message delays
Emotional states affecting judgment
Physical distance between communicators
Inadequate feedback

To overcome these challenges, we learned to use simple language, minimize noise, practice active listening, remain aware of body language and emotions, avoid information overload, provide constructive feedback, and choose appropriate communication methods (face-to-face or written).

Building positive working relationships

Maintaining harmonious relationships aboard a vessel is essential. Crew members must respect diverse cultures, religions, and values. When conflicts arise, we learned to:

Approach issues honestly and positively.
Choose appropriate timing when no one feels pressured.
Select comfortable, neutral locations for discussions.
Start conversations on a positive note.
Have a collaborative, team-oriented attitude focused on constructive outcomes.

Substance Abuse

Alcohol and drugs pose serious risks in maritime environments. Substance abuse can lead to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. It often creates financial difficulties, legal troubles and damages relationships. Substance abuse also lowers inhibitions, potentially leading to unsafe behaviors, unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.

Managing stress at sea

Ships operate continuously, seven days a week, creating stressors for seafarers:

Psychological stress factors include:

Sleep difficulties and insomnia.
Small cabin spaces.
Language and cultural barriers.
Reduced shore leave opportunities due to faster port turnarounds.

Physical stress factors include:

Vessel motion causing sleep disruption and seasickness.
High noise and vibration levels.
Extreme temperatures.
Bright lighting disrupting sleep patterns.
Sleep interruptions from crew activities.
Physically demanding tasks that strain muscles and joints.

Safety equipment and hazardous spaces

Proper protective equipment is essential for various maritime hazards. Workers must use appropriate protection for their head, hearing, face, eyes, respiratory system, hands, feet, and body, along with anti-drowning devices.

The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen (COSWP) defines dangerous spaces as enclosed or confined areas where the atmosphere may contain toxic or flammable gases or have insufficient oxygen levels that could endanger anyone entering. Before entering such spaces, crews must take precautions against life-threatening hazards including low oxygen levels, flammable gases or vapors, and toxic gases.

Environmental protection

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on earth, all species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, along with their ecosystems. Our oceans provide essential food resources like fish and invertebrates, potential raw materials, and climate regulation. However, shipping activities can harm the marine environment through:

Ballast water containing invasive plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria.
Sound pollution from vessel operations.
Air pollution from diesel engines.
Oil spills including crude oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Sewage and wastewater containing harmful bacteria, pathogens, viruses, parasites, and nutrients.
Solid waste including plastics, glass, paper, cardboard, and metals.

Personal Survival Techniques

This section taught us critical skills for surviving ship abandonment.

Liferafts are essential survival equipment constructed from durable nylon with waterproof, insulated floors. The highly visible canopy (typically bright orange) provides protection from both hot and cold weather through its double-layer construction. In this lesson we were taught how to survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment.

Liferaft identification

Every liferaft container displays important information:

Passenger capacity.
Manufacturer's name or trademark.
Approving authority.
Last service date and expiry date.
Maximum stowage height above waterline.
Painter length and launching instructions.

Liferaft container

Survival Equipment

Liferafts contain comprehensive survival equipment including:

One buoyant rescue quoit
Two buoyant paddles
One non-folding safety knife and scissors
Two sponges
Two sea anchors
Three tin openers
One buoyant bailer
One first aid outfit
Seasickness medicine and one seasickness bag for each person
One whistle
One daylight signaling mirror
Four rocket parachute flares
Six handheld flares
Two buoyant smoke signals
One waterproof electric torch
One radar reflector
VHF handheld emergency radio
Two search and rescue radar transponder
Emergency position-indicating beacon
Lifesaving signals reference guide
Food rations (at least 10,000 KJ per person)
Fresh water (1.5 liters per person)
One drinking vessel
Thermal protective aids
Survival instructions

Liferaft

Only the Master can give the verbal order to abandon ship. When entering water from height, follow these critical steps:

Ensure your lifejacket is properly worn and secured
Cross your arms over your chest to hold the lifejacket down
Cover your nose and mouth with one hand
Check that the area below is clear
Look straight ahead (not down)
Keep feet together
Enter feet-first in an upright position (Looking down while jumping makes you unstable and likely to fall forward.)

Survival positions in water

HELP Position (Heat-Escape-Lessening-Posture): Survivors without a craft should raise their knees toward their chest and clasp their arms across their body in a near-fetal position. This reduces heat loss and conserves energy.

Small groups should huddle together, hugging each other to share body heat. Larger groups should form a circle with arms interlocked at the elbows and feet turned toward the center.

Benefits of circle formation:

Creates a pocket of warmer water inside.
Reduces hypothermia risk.
Allows injured survivors to be moved to the center for warmth.
Prevents drifting apart.
Increases visibility from distance.
Speeds up rescue operations.
Reduces vulnerability to shark attacks.
Boosts morale.

Helicopter rescue operations

Helicopter evacuations typically occur for two scenarios: medical emergencies requiring casualty evacuation, or mass evacuations when a vessel is in distress.

Rescue equipment

Helicopters use specialized equipment including rescue slings (strops) and seating belts. A helicopter crewman descends with the equipment, secures the strop over the survivor's shoulders and under their armpits, and provides support during the ascent.

Preparing for helicopter rescue

A clear deck area approximately 5 meters across should be designated as the pickup zone, marked with a yellow painted circle. The surrounding area must be free of obstructions. At night, the pickup area should be well-lit, illuminating both surface markings and potential obstacles.

To prevent Foreign Object Damage (FOD), where objects could be sucked into the helicopter's engine, the area must be inspected before arrival. All loose items including clothing, caps, cartons, and rags must be removed to prevent them from being blown into the aircraft.

Practical assessment

During the practical assessment for Personal Survival Techniques, we were required to dress in jumpsuits (substitute outfits for immersion suits during training exercises) and lifejackets. We then had to enter the pool from a height following the seven steps outlined above.

Jumpsuit

Immersion suit and lifejacket

Pool

The instructors placed a liferaft in the pool upside down, and two volunteers entered the water to turn it upright. Once the liferaft was righted, all participants had to board it. After everyone was inside, a harness and seat simulating a helicopter rescue was deployed. Two participants transferred from the liferaft to the harness, allowing us to understand how passengers are assisted during emergency evacuations.

Liferaft

Harness

Following this exercise, we were instructed to remove our lifejackets. Those who could swim were asked to swim across the pool, while those needing assistance were supported by a lifeguard. Participants who couldn't swim were instructed to practice floating.

Fire Prevention Firefighting

This training module ensures seafarers understand fire dangers and can implement preventive measures while responding effectively to fire emergencies. The goal is to minimize fire risk and maintain constant readiness for fire-related emergencies.

The Fire Triangle

Three elements must be present for fire to occur:

Ignition source (heat, spark, or flame)
Fuel (combustible substance in solid, liquid, or gas form)
Oxygen (21% in normal air)

Key Temperature Concepts:

Flashpoint: The lowest temperature at which a gas or liquid produces enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture above its surface.

Auto-ignition temperature: The minimum heat needed to cause any combustible substance to spontaneously ignite.

Common Causes of Shipboard Fires

Smoking
Spontaneous combustion from chemical reactions in certain materials
Galley operations
Electrical equipment and machinery failures
Hot-work operations
Static electricity
Improper inerting of tanks and void spaces

Hazardous Cargo Classification

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code categorizes hazardous materials into nine classes:

Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive materials
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

The IMDG Code specifies packaging, labeling, transport requirements, stowage locations, segregation rules, and proper humidity, temperature, and ventilation requirements for each class.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

Fire Classifications

Class A fires involve solid combustible materials like wood, cloth, cotton, paper, rubber, and plastics. Water is used to cool burning materials below their auto-ignition temperature, stopping combustion.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as fuels, solvents, petrol, paraffin, oils, alcohol, and liquefiable solids such as wax. Foam, dry powder, and carbon dioxide are most effective because they smother the fire and reduce vapor production.

Class C fires involve flammable gases like propane, butane, and acetylene. Dry chemical powder extinguishes the flames, but the primary solution is shutting off the gas supply valve.

Class D fires involve combustible metals and their compounds such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium. Very dry sand and special dry powders can extinguish burning metals.

Class F fires involve grease, fats, and oils. Fire blankets, dry powder, and foam are most effective.

Heat Transfer Methods

Understanding how fire spreads is crucial for effective firefighting:

Conduction: Heat transfer through solid objects from one side to another. Metals are excellent heat conductors.

Direct contact: Heat transfers directly from one burning fuel to adjacent fuel.

Convection: Heat transfer through the movement of liquid or gas particles.

Radiation: Heat transfers directly through space in straight lines.

Backdraft: When oxygen suddenly mixes with super-heated gases in an enclosed space, it can cause an explosive reaction. This happens when substantial air enters an oxygen-depleted fire environment.

If you discover a fire or smell smoke, remember the acronym FIRE:

Find the fire's location and activate the alarm.
Inform other crew members and superiors about the location, size, and type of fire.
Restrict fire spread by closing doors and ports.
Restrict fire spread further by closing additional openings.
Extinguish the fire as an organized team using available equipment (or Escape, life over property).

A fire can be extinguished by removing any element of the fire tetrahedron:

Heat removal (quenching/cooling): Lowering the fuel temperature below auto-ignition slows and stops the reaction between fuel and oxygen.

Oxygen removal (smothering): Separating oxygen-containing air from the burning fuel.

Fuel removal (starvation): Removing or excluding fuel from the fire.

Chemical reaction interruption (inhibition): A chemical process that interferes with combustion, the fastest way to stop a fire.

Fire Extinguishers

Four types of portable and semi-portable extinguishers are commonly found on ships, identified by international color codes:

Water (red)
Dry powder (blue)
Carbon dioxide (black)
Foam (cream)

When using portable extinguishers, remember PASS:

Pull the pin.
Aim at the fire's base.
Squeeze the trigger.
Sweep from side to side.
(Retreat backward while still facing the fire).

Products of Combustion

When fire burns, it produces four main products:

Heat
Light
Smoke
Water vapour

Fire Detection Systems

Smoke detectors must be installed in evacuation routes:

Ionization detectors are highly sensitive to fast burning, flaming fires producing small particles.
Optical detectors are sensitive to slow-burning, smoldering fires producing large smoke particles.

Heat detectors work effectively in dirty, smoky areas with high airborne particles like water vapour and exhaust fumes:

Rate-of-rise detectors respond to rapid temperature increases.
Fixed temperature detectors activate when temperature exceeds a preset level.
Frangible bulb detectors contain alcohol in a glass bulb that expands with heat until the bulb shatters, releasing water from the sprinkler.

Flame detectors identify ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) radiation emitted by fires.

Fire gas detectors monitor carbon monoxide, which fires produce in large quantities.

Zone type detectors combine multiple point detectors to monitor entire compartments or areas.

Firefighter Safety Equipment

Personal protective equipment includes:

Protective clothing that shields skin from burns and steam scalding
Electrically non-conducting rubber boots
Rigid helmet
Electric safety lamp
Axe
Breathing apparatus must be self-contained compressed air systems with at least 1,200 liters of air capacity, functioning for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Safety Checks for Breathing Apparatus

High-pressure test (cylinder content):

Open cylinder valve one full turn.
Check pressure gauge (minimum 240 bar required).
Close cylinder valve.
Verify the apparatus is airtight.

Audible alarm test:

With cylinder valve closed, slowly depress the demand valve release button.
Observe pressure gauge.
Alarm whistle should sound at approximately 50-60 bar.

Face mask seal test (air ingress):

Ensure mask is firmly strapped in place.
If the mask doesn't seal properly, inspect for defects.
Replace with another mask if necessary.

Practical assessment

The Fire Prevention Firefighting practical, we were instructed to prepare by dressing in jumpsuits, boots, safety glasses, helmets, face masks, and gloves.

Jumpsuit

Boots

From left: helmet, facemask, safety glasses and gloves

First Practical: Portable Fire Extinguishers

In the first exercise, we learned to extinguish fires using portable fire extinguishers identified by international color codes (as stated above). We divided ourselves into groups of three, and the instructor called each group forward one at a time. As we approached the fire extinguishers, we were instructed to kneel on one knee to untie them, pull the pin, test the extinguisher, and keep it ready. The instructor then addressed us as firefighters, and we had to respond by shouting "fire, fire, fire" before proceeding. We walked toward the fire, extinguished it, and retreated backward (using the PASS acronym as stated above). We knelt down again to replace the pin in the extinguisher, completing the assessment. There was also a demonstration on how to extinguish fires in galley operations or areas with electrical cables using a fire blanket.

The set of the portable fire extinguisher practical

Emergency Fire Drill Preparation

The next day, we prepared for an emergency fire drill. The instructor first explained how to complete the assessment, including how to hold the hose pipe and coordinate our movements as a team. When instructed to move forward, we would place our left foot forward first, then follow with the right foot. When told to move back, we started with the left foot back, then the right foot followed. When told to move right, we put our right foot forward, then brought our left foot back. When told to move left, we moved our left foot forward and our right foot followed. We were also instructed to kneel when necessary. The hose pipe has adjustable pressure settings. It's also important to know how to swing the hose pipe side to side and how to aim at the fire (this applies to the person standing in front, leading the group).

Final Assessment

After practicing, we were divided into groups of three for the final assessment and had to dress in full personal protective equipment (as stated above). We tested the cylinder content to check oxygen levels. We lined up and held the hose pipe facing the fire emergency. The instructor prepared us by having us read the pressure gauge to confirm how much oxygen the cylinder contained.

Once everyone was ready, the instructor told us to move forward toward the fire emergency. We entered the space, and it was pitch black, we could only follow the instructor's voice. We were led to the fire scene, and the person in front extinguished the fire with the hose pipe. The instructor then informed us that there was an injured person. We located the casualty by listening to the instructor's voice and working as a team. We supported the casualty by holding their head and feet. The third person in our group had to listen to the instructor's voice to find the exit from the emergency scene. Once we found the exit, other group members assisted us in removing the firefighting outfit.

From right: breathing apparatus, face mask, helmet, gloves and protective clothing.

The set for the fire extinguishing drill.

Elementary First Aid

Elementary First Aid provides essential knowledge for responding to accidents and medical emergencies with immediate, appropriate measures.

Primary Survey

Use this systematic approach for any medical incident:

Hazards: Identify and address any dangers around the patient (fire, water, electricity, chemicals).

Hello: Approach from the front and check the patient's responsiveness by tapping their shoulders.

Help: Call for qualified assistance as soon as possible if needed.

Circulation: Check for a carotid pulse in the neck for 5-10 seconds maximum. If no pulse is detected, begin CPR:

Compression rate: 100-120 per minute
Compression depth: 5-6 cm
Continue for 2 minutes
Normal adult pulse: 60-100 beats per minute
Normal breathing rate: 12-20 breaths per minute

Airway: Check if the mouth is clear using the head-tilt, chin-lift method and finger sweep. If the casualty is unresponsive, place them in the recovery position to maintain airway clearance.

Breathing: Look, feel, and listen for breathing at the mouth and nose for no more than 5-10 seconds.

Secondary Survey

History: Use the SAMPLE acronym:

Signs and symptoms
Allergies
Medication
Past surgical history
Last meal
Events leading to the incident

Head-to-toe check: Examine the patient for bleeding or injuries.

Recovery position: Maintain an open airway.

When to Stop CPR

Stop CPR only when:

Spontaneous breathing and pulse return
Someone with higher qualifications takes over
You're physically exhausted and cannot continue effectively
The patient vomits (clear the mouth, then continue)
Your life is in danger

Anatomy Overview

Skeletal System: Comprises bones, ligaments, cartilage, and joints:

Bones: tough, solid connective tissue
Cartilage: connective tissue lining joints and intervertebral discs
Ligaments: connect bone to bone
Joints: allow movement at various locations
Tendons: connect muscle to bone at joints

Skeleton model

Bones provide support, protection, enable movement, store minerals, and produce blood cells.

Central Nervous System: The brain and spinal cord receive and process information, then send instructions:

Forebrain (cerebrum): controls reasoning, memory, learning, emotion, personality, speech, vision, and motor function
Cerebellum: controls balance and coordination
Medulla/brainstem: controls vital functions like breathing and heartbeat

Abdominal Quadrants:

Left upper: spleen, stomach, part of pancreas (which secretes insulin for glucose breakdown)
Right upper: liver, part of stomach, gallbladder, large intestine
Left lower: large and small intestine
Right lower: appendix and large intestine

Human anatomy model showing organ systems.

Approaching a Casualty

When approaching an injured person:

Reassure and calm the patient.
If conscious, ask permission to help.
Avoid moving the patient unless necessary for safety.
Send someone else for help if possible.
Don't leave the patient unattended.
Never give food or fluids.

Patient Assessment

PEARL (Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light): Check pupil size (dilated or contracted) and reaction to assess consciousness and potential brain injury:

Equal pupils: No significant damage
Unequal pupils: Significant brain injury likely

Normal temperature range: 35-37 degrees Celsius

HAINES recovery position (High Arm In Endangered Spine): Supports the cervical spine and vertebral column to prevent bending and protect the spinal cord.

Treating Shock

Signs and symptoms:

Anxiety and restlessness
Thirst
Nausea and vomiting
Cold, clammy skin
Weak, rapid pulse
Shallow, rapid breathing
Decreased consciousness
Dropping blood pressure

Treatment

Primary survey
Stop bleeding immediately
Loosen tight clothing
Place patient in shock position (legs elevated above heart level)
Keep the patient warm with blankets or extra clothing
Stay calm and keep the patient calm
Nothing by mouth

Bleeding Control

Methods to stop bleeding:

Direct pressure on the wound using a clean cloth or bandage as a pad.
Indirect pressure at pressure points above the wound.
Elevation of the injured limb above the heart to reduce circulation.
Tourniquet as a last resort using a broad bandage.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Types of wounds:

Abrasion (graze)
Laceration (tear)
Avulsion (flap)
Incision (cut)
Penetration (puncture or impalement)

Treatment:

Clean the wound with antiseptic solution.
Apply antiseptic cream.
Apply bandage.

Bandaging and Splinting

Triangular bandages can be folded multiple times to create cravat bandages functioning like roller bandages. They're also useful for making slings to support injured arms or shoulders. Improvised bandages can be made from clothing, bedding, shirts, or pillowcases.

Splints immobilize limbs and stabilize joint injuries or broken bones. Any rigid, long, flat item (like wood) can be used with bandages to create an improvised splint. Always place padding between the limb and splint as cushioning.

Benefits of splinting fractures:

Minimizes further damage.
Prevents closed fractures from opening.
Helps control bleeding.
Alleviates pain.

Chemical Burns

Treatment procedures:

Check for hazards and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Check circulation, airway, breathing (CAB).
Start CPR if no pulse, or use recovery position for unresponsive patients with a pulse.
Check information about the chemical type (refer to MSDS/IMDG/MFAG).
Remove contaminated clothing.
Flush affected areas thoroughly with water and treat according to MFAG guidelines.
Wash with large amounts of water, flushing from the unaffected eye toward the affected eye.
Irrigate the injured eye with water.
Do not apply medicines, ointments, or drops (they may cause further damage).
Don't allow the patient to move the injured eye.
Cover the injured eye with a wet gauze swab.
Cover the uninjured eye with a pad.
Give no food or drink (the patient may require surgery with general anesthesia).

Casualty Transport

The firefighter's carry can be used to lift and transport patients on stairs and ladders. The rescuer must be sufficiently strong and well-built to carry the casualty successfully.

Practical assessment

During the Elementary First Aid practical, we had to perform CPR by conducting the primary survey (as stated above) on the patient. The instructor then asked us to explain what was done in the secondary survey (as stated above), and we described all the components included.

CPR training mannequin

Security Awareness

This training module enhances maritime security through heightened awareness of potential threats and proper security protocols.

Maritime security threats

The maritime industry faces several serious security threats including:

Piracy and armed robbery against ships
Hijacking
Terrorism
Smuggling
Stowaways
Sabotage

In December 2002, contracting governments created amendments to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to strengthen ship and port facility security. The conference also approved the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The Suppression of Unlawful Acts (SUA) Convention ensures action is taken against individuals who commit unlawful acts such as violence against persons on board, forcibly seizing ships, or attempting to destroy or damage vessels. The Convention requires governments to either prosecute offenders or extradite them to other countries for prosecution.

The Djibouti Code of Conduct, formed in January 2009, addresses the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. Member states agreed to cooperate by sharing information and resources, searching suspect vessels, prosecuting perpetrators of violence against shipping, and rescuing victims of such acts.

Best Management Practices (BMP): The International Shipping Organization produced guidelines for protection against Somalia-based piracy. The latest version, BMP5, was published in September 2018. It provides guidelines and information for vessels passing through high-risk piracy areas, including procedures for registration and reporting with international naval forces, and suggestions for ship protection measures to avoid and survive attacks.

Maritime security roles and responsibilities

Port Facility Security

A port facility is any location within a country's territory where regular interaction occurs between visiting ships and the shore. Every port facility complying with ISPS requirements must undergo a Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA), which leads to the development of a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP).

Each port must have a designated Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) identified in the PFSP. This person is responsible for implementing the security plan at that facility.

PFSO Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensuring the PFSA and PFSP are developed and submitted to authorities for approval.
Confirming that security training, drills, and exercises are conducted as required.
Identifying weaknesses in the PFSP and recommending improvements.
Investigating and reporting incidents.
Carrying out security inspections.
Maintaining security equipment.
Coordinating with Company Security Officers (CSOs) and Ship Security Officers (SSOs) of visiting vessels.

Company Security Officer (CSO)

Every shipping company operating vessel must appoint a Company Security Officer responsible for fleet security and a Ship Security Officer on board each vessel.

CSO Duties and Responsibilities:

Informing ships of likely threat types and levels.
Ensuring Ship Security Assessments (SSA) are carried out and Ship Security Plans (SSP) are developed by the Administration or Recognized Security Organization (RSO) and implemented on board.
Coordinating with the Administration or RSO to arrange security verifications and maintain ISPS certification validity.
Arranging internal audits and regular security activity reviews.
Ensuring the SSP is updated to correct any weakness.
Improving security awareness within the company and ensuring security personnel are properly trained.
Ensuring effective communication and cooperation between the SSO and relevant PFSO

Ship Security Officer (SSO) and Master

The SSP must state that the Master has overall authority and responsibility for decisions regarding ship safety and security and may request assistance from the Company or any Contracting Government when necessary.

SSO Duties and Responsibilities:

Conducting regular inspections to verify adequate security measures are in place.
Ensuring SSP requirements are implemented on board, including any modifications.
Coordinating security matters for cargo and stores handling with officers, crew, and the relevant PFSO.
Maintaining communication with the CSO, including suggesting SSP changes.
Reporting security weaknesses and problems to the CSO and implementing corrective actions.
Enhancing security awareness among personnel on board.
Arranging shipboard drills and training.
Investigating and reporting all security incidents.
Maintaining security equipment.

Disclosure of sensitive information

Information can be communicated verbally, in written form, or electronically via radio, cellphone, or internet. Disclosing sensitive information may compromise company or vessel operations and could endanger the ship and crew. Crew members should never reveal this type of information to anyone not authorized to receive it.

Maritime Security Levels

International regulations define three security levels:

Security Level 1 (Normal) - the level at which ships and port facilities normally operate.
Security Level 2 (Heightened) - applied when there is a heightened risk of a security incident.
Security Level 3 (Exceptional) - applied when there is probable or imminent risk of a security incident.

At Security Level 1, preventive measures against possible security incidents must be observed on all ships:

Performing all ship security duties.
Controlling access to the ship.
Controlling the embarkation of persons and their effects.
Monitoring restricted areas to ensure that only authorized persons have access.
Monitoring of deck areas and areas surrounding the ship.
Supervising cargo and ship's stores handling.
Ensuring effective security communication availability.

At Security Level 2, increased awareness is needed due to heightened risk. Security measures should be appropriately increased.

At Security Level 3, the ship should follow instructions from those responding to the security incident or threat. The SSP should detail security measures to be taken by the ship in cooperation with responders and the port facility.

Discovery of a suspect device

Any suspicious item should be approached cautiously. It could be an explosive device or contain hazardous substances. The first action should be reporting its location.

Disposal of any suspect device is the responsibility of security services. Never approach a suspected bomb or do anything affecting the environment near the device:

Do not put it in water or pour water on it, as this could short an electrical circuit and detonate it.
Do not run or cause vibration in the area.
Do not use VHF/UHF radios near the device.
Do not pass metallic tools near the device.
Do not smoke nearby.
Do not attempt to move the device away from people, if necessary, move people away from the device.
Do not allow people to pass near the suspect device.

Security drill requirements

Shipboard drills must be conducted to ensure effective SSP implementation, considering ship type, personnel changes, port facilities to be visited, and other relevant circumstances. The ISPS Code requires drills at least once every three months.

Passenger Ship Crowd Management

This course focuses on implementing shipboard emergency plans and procedures to muster and evacuate passengers effectively.

Understanding Crowd Management

Crowd management is the intelligent and disciplined application of practical skills to control and direct crowds, both passengers and crew, during emergency situations.

Crowd management training should consider several different scenarios with varying needs, including the need for improvisation. These scenarios include:

Fire at sea or in port
Sinking
Grounding
Collision
Terrorist attack
Bomb threats

Elevator restrictions during emergencies

Elevators should not be used during emergencies for several critical reasons:

Power failure could trap people inside.
Smoke may travel rapidly up elevators shafts.
Elevators may be summoned to dangerous decks with smoke or fire, whereas stairway guides direct passengers to assembly stations by safe routes.
Elevators may become overloaded during rushed evacuations.
Too many people attempting to enter may prevent doors from closing, leading to further distress.

Maintaining clear escape routes

To maintain clear escape routes:

Every ladder and open door on a vessel should be treated as a potential escape route.
Keep all openings clear and unobstructed, including passages leading to them.
Regularly open and close alternative escape route hatches and doors to ensure all clips and hinges are working freely from both sides.
Mark exits with luminescent signs at both eye level and ground level.
Keep ladders leading up to escape hatches clear.
Show crew and passengers where alternative escape routes are from all compartments when they arrive onboard. This should form part of passenger safety briefings before sailing.

Emergency communication

When communicating instructions during an emergency, use a closed-loop communication method whenever practicable. In closed-loop communication, the person receiving the instruction confirms understanding by repeating the key contents back to the sender.

Life-saving appliances

After studying control plans, the physical location of all relevant items should be identified by walking through the plans and verifying actual positions on board.

The STCW certification represents a global commitment to maritime safety. This intensive training transforms aspiring seafarers into prepared professionals capable of responding to emergencies with confidence and competence. Every drill and every practical assessment serves a vital purpose, which is ensuring that when real emergencies occur at sea, we are ready. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the fundamental principles learned in STCW training remain essential, including readiness, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to safety above all else.

This guide summarizes the comprehensive STCW training program that prepares seafarers for the challenges and responsibilities of maritime work. Regular refresher training and ongoing practice of these skills are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring safety at sea.