MCA STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping)
The basic STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) course offers essential maritime safety training, including personal survival techniques, firefighting, first aid, and security awareness, providing internationally recognised certification for careers at sea. If you are looking to do an STCW Refresher course, you have come to the right place. More details on this STCW training course are listed below.
This STCW Training course is available in our Hout Bay training centre. Contact us to find out about our STCW course dates, rates and availability.
Course Fee:
Pricing: The cost of this STCW training course is R15 000 (Package price - 4 modules excluding PDSD), and a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure a booking on a “first paid, first in” basis.
Standalone Prices:
Fire Fighting: R8250 EFA: R2750 PSSR: R1375 PST: R4125
PDSD: R3000.00
Location:
This course runs out of Hout Bay, Cape Town.
STCW Refresher Course Fee: R7000.00
Please contact us for course dates and more information.
Course Information
All persons wishing to work aboard a vessel, must as a minimum requirement, have completed the basic STCW safety training modules.
These modules take place over 10 days and include both theoretical and practical training. The minimum modules required are as follows. Some of these certificates (PST and Fire Fighting), require that they be refreshed every 5 years.
STCW COURSE MODULES
PSSR – (Personal Safety and Social Responsibility)
This course introduces students to a life of living aboard. It covers certain protocols and procedures from emergencies, protection of the marine environment, safe working practices and how to become a responsible crew member and integral part of a team.
Elementary First Aid
This course is self-explanatory. Working at sea, often means being long distances from shore and any medical facilities. A basic understanding and knowledge of first aid is required, ensuring that all crew members have the basic skills to assist fellow crew members who may need primary medical care until more qualified help is available.
Basic Fire prevention and Fire Fighting
A fire onboard a vessel is a serious situation, and if not handled correctly and swiftly, could be disastrous. On this course, candidates learn about fire prevention, and how good housekeeping is essential to fire prevention. They will also be equipped with the basic fire-fighting skills necessary to extinguish a shipboard fire.
Security Awareness including PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
In today’s world of piracy, terrorism, and crime, it is essential that crew members are made aware of the possible threats that exist, and how to recognise them and possibly eliminate them, or at least, what action to take should it be necessary. Along with these threats, many of the vessels on which you may find yourself, belong to incredibly wealthy individuals often being very influential members of society, who will also require your vigilance and knowledge on how to keep their vessels, themselves and all crew safe. This course covers subjects such as maritime security key threats, recognition and awareness of threats, plans and procedures for combating threats.
PST – Personal Survival Techniques (Sea Survival)
This module provides participants with the knowledge and skills to react in a correct and positive manner in a possible emergency. Participants will launch life-rafts and be required to demonstrate certain survival skills such as entering the water from a height, swimming, treading water and righting a capsized life-raft.
If you are looking to do this course for the first time or to do your STCW Refresher Course, we offer this STCW Course in Cape Town out of our Hout Bay training centre. Contact us to find out more about SCTW Course Dates, Rates and availability as spaces are limited.
STCW basic safety certificates are valid for five years. If yours is due for renewal, you can complete your refresher training via our STCW Refresher Course
( Please note, this is a separate course, please see more info on the refresher courses available below )
STCW REFRESHER COURSE – PURPOSE, MODULES AND TRAINING HOURS
After completing the basic STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) qualification, the STCW certificate remains valid for five years. To remain legally compliant and eligible to work on commercial vessels or yachts, a refresher course must be completed once this five-year validity period expires.
The purpose of the STCW Refresher Course is to ensure that seafarers maintain competence in critical safety and emergency response skills. Firefighting and survival techniques are perishable skills that require regular practice to ensure effective performance during real emergency situations. Refresher training confirms that crew members can continue to respond correctly and confidently when required.
MODULES INCLUDED IN THE STCW REFRESHER COURSE
The refresher course focuses only on the core practical safety components of the original STCW training.
Personal Survival Techniques (PST) – Refresher
This module reinforces essential survival-at-sea skills, including abandon-ship procedures, correct use of lifejackets and immersion equipment, survival craft familiarisation, and practical water-based survival exercises.
Fire Prevention and Firefighting (FPFF) – Refresher
This module revisits fire theory, fire prevention practices, and correct responses to onboard fire emergencies. Candidates take part in hands-on firefighting drills using approved firefighting equipment under controlled conditions.
The following modules are not included in the standard STCW refresher:
– Elementary First Aid
– Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
TRAINING DURATION AND HOURS
The STCW Refresher Course is typically completed over two days. Total training time is approximately 12 to 16 hours, depending on the training provider and practical requirements.
WHY THE STCW REFRESHER IS REQUIRED TO GET YOUR STCW CERTIFICATE EXTENSION
Completion of the STCW Refresher Course ensures continued compliance with international maritime safety regulations and employer requirements. Without a valid STCW certificate or refresher, seafarers may not be permitted to serve in safety or operational roles onboard commercial vessels or yachts.
The STCW refresher course certification confirms ongoing competence in emergency response, supports safe vessel operations, and ensures crew remain employable within the maritime industry.
STCW Refresher Course Dates 2026
3 – 4 August
7 – 8 September
19 – 20 October
16 – 17 November
STCW Refresher Course Dates 2027
18 – 19 Jan
15 – 16 Feb
15 – 16 Feb
12 – 13 Apr
17 – 18 May
14 – 15 Jun
12 – 13 July
16 – 17 Aug
13 – 14 Sep
11 – 12 Oct
15 – 16 Nov
6 – 7 Dec
Next Available Course Dates
2026 Courses Dates
2027 Courses Dates
Check available dates, register / enquire about this course below.
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