An STCW Refresher Course is mandatory training designed to keep seafarers’ safety and emergency skills up to date. It typically covers Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention & Firefighting. It’s validity is 5 years, to keep your certification valid, one need to do the refresher course every 5 years.
You can find out more about the STCW Refresher course here. This STCW Training Course is available at our Hout Bay training centre in Cape Town, South Africa. This is one of 3 of our course locations.
What is the purpose of the STCW Refresher Course?
The STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) certificate is valid for five years after completing the initial qualification. To maintain compliance and eligibility to work on commercial vessels or yachts, seafarers must complete an STCW Refresher Course before their existing certificate expires. This refresher training ensures crew members maintain proficiency in essential safety and emergency response skills.
What modules are covered in the STCW Refresher at PYT Cape?
PYT Cape’s STCW Refresher Course in Cape Town focuses on the practical safety elements from the original STCW training:
Personal Survival Techniques (PST) Refresher:
Revises critical survival-at-sea skills, including abandon ship drills, proper use of lifesaving appliances, and in-water survival techniques.
Fire Prevention and Firefighting (FPFF) Refresher:
Reviews shipboard fire prevention, fire theory, and practical firefighting exercises using approved equipment in controlled scenarios.
The refresher course does not include the Elementary First Aid or Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities modules.
How long is the STCW Refresher Course at PYT Cape?
PYT Cape normally conducts the STCW Refresher over two days in Cape Town, with approximately 12-16 training hours in total. Actual course duration may vary slightly based on practical training needs.
Why is the STCW Refresher necessary?
Completing the STCW Refresher through a provider like PYT Cape ensures seafarers meet ongoing maritime safety regulations and employer requirements to continue working aboard commercial ships and yachts.
A current STCW certificate, maintained through timely refresher training, is essential for crew to remain employable in operational and safety functions at sea.
Learn more about this course in the STCW Course page which has information about how to obtain your STCW Certificate in the initial course as well as information on the refresher course, prices, dates and location here.