The STCW'95 Basic Safety Training - The FAQ's

Most people find the information that pertains to their particular needs and qualifications hard to access and then difficult to extract. So I have written a very simple and easy to read article about it.

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The logic behind the law insisting that workers on building sites wear safety helmets and steel toed boots is obvious; it helps to protect from injury, permanent or otherwise. The same can be said for the STCW'95 Basic Safety Training. It is designed to keep you and your fellow crew and passengers safe. And just as it would be foolish to go onto a building site without protective gear, it is as foolish to step onto a yacht without any understanding of what to do in an emergency.

The STCW'95 BST is essential training because for many crew, their first position on board can be their first time on a boat and they barely know fender from tender.

Knowing what to do and how to cope in the event of a crisis is vital.

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STCW’95 stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping.
The STCW convention was first established in 1978. In 1995 the USCG and the IMO got together to amend the STCW code. It came into international effect in February 2003.

Why did it come into force?
Accidents were occurring on vessels, many of which were superyachts so the MCA (for the most part) decided it was well past time some rules to govern safety on board the vessels registered to them (red flagged) were introduced. The code sets certain minimum international training standards for professional mariners.

What is STCW’95?
In the case of crew wanting to get onboard a luxury yacht STCW’95 is the Basic Safety Training (BST) that you undertake to improve the safety of yourself and other passengers and crew on board a yacht.

Essentially it is wrong to say that you are doing your STCW'95 training. The correct way to say it is that you are doing Basic Safety Training that complies to the STCW’95 code.
(The STCW is not only about the BST, it covers a whole lot of other things too. What we cover here is simply how it applies to crew taking the first steps into the industry.)

Okay, so what is this Basic Safety Training then?
Basic Safety Training (BST) consists of four modules, basic fire-fighting, elementary first aid, personal survival, and personal safety & social responsibility. All designed around keeping you and everyone else on board safe.

Where can I do this training?
There are facilities all over the world that offer STCW’95 training.

Are the standards the same at each training facility?
It is a requirement of law that they are.

How long does it take to do the course?
Roughly between five and six days, depending on the company offering the training.  The MCA feel that it is impossible to achieve the right level of training in anything less than five days.

How much does it cost?
The cost varies from company to company but ranges from £700 and £1000 (Around two weeks wages at entry level)

Is it a live-in course?
Some companies offer accommodation as part of the package but again this varies.

Can I find a job as soon as I have my STCW’95 BST?
The certificate is not a magic pass and wont guarantee you a job but without it you will find it considerably harder to find work.

Can I do the four modules separately?
With some companies yes but this almost certainly will cost you more than the combined package.

Is there a waiting list to do the course?
Not always, some have a waiting list in excess of four months but with others you may be able to get on with in a few weeks.

I have Yachtmaster Ocean or equivalent certification. Do I still need a STCW’95 Basic Safety certificate?
Yes

I only want to be a steward and my girlfriend a chef. Do we still need it?
If you have a role in the safety of anyone else on board, for example as a Stewardess you may be required to help passengers put on life vests for example, then yes you do. Or as a chef you may be required to do fire safety training as part of your role on board.

However the MCA state that only those listed as crew or involved in muster need STCW'95 Basic Safety training.

Is there a different STCW’95 BST for power yachts and sailing yachts?
No.

What comes after STCW’95 BST? What is the next step in qualifying?
This depends very much on what you wish to specialise in and how far up the career ladder you wish to go.

How far can I go career wise with just STCW’95 BST? Can I go beyond deckhand level without more training?
No

Do I really need to have STCW’95 BST? Everyone seems to say so.
This is where things get a little bit confusing but hang in there, we’ll try and talk plain English if we can. This is a simple and very basic guide, it is NOT definitive.

For MCA flagged vessels please contact them directly so you can find information that is absolutely 100% precise in all it’s joyous legalese. Ref: MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE, MSN 1792 (M), Edition 21 from the mca.org website
For blue flagged yachts contact the USCG for exact information that pertains to you.

Please Note - We recommend that ALL crew onboard a yacht, regardless of the size of vessel, regardless of the position held, undertake the STCW'95 basic safety training, if for nothing more than part of your professionalism.