EDH Certificates are subject to their own validity and renewal conditions. It is essential to keep your EDH certificate current and to renew any associated certificates, such as First Aid and Sea Survival, within their validity periods. Contact Naviteach directly for the latest renewal requirements.
The EDH is issued under SAMSA, South Africa’s flag state maritime authority, and aligns with the principles of the STCW Convention. While primarily applicable to South African waters and SAMSA-regulated vessels, the underlying competencies are consistent with international seafaring standards. For specific international recognition queries, contact us or the relevant maritime authority of the flag state in question.
The EDH (Efficient Deck Hand) qualification certifies you to work as deck crew under the command of a licensed skipper. A Skipper’s licence authorises you to be the person in command of a vessel. The EDH is typically a prerequisite step within the PYT pathway before you can progress to a Skipper qualification. PYT Cape offers both, allowing you to progress seamlessly through your maritime career.
The Efficient Deck Hand course is completed over several days of structured classroom learning and practical assessments. The exact duration may vary depending on the schedule and intake. Visit the EDH course page or contact the team directly for current course dates and duration.
To enrol on the Efficient Deck Hand course at Naviteach, candidates typically need:
- A valid, current First Aid certificate.
- A valid, current Basic Sea Survival certificate.
- Verified sea service as required by SAMSA regulations.
For the full list of prerequisites, visit SAMSA’s seafarer certification pages or contact us at PYT Cape directly.
The EDH course is required for:
- Anyone seeking paid employment as a deckhand on a commercial or passenger vessel in South Africa.
- Professional Yachtmaster Trainee (PYT) candidates building towards a Skipper’s licence.
- Crew members on charter boats, dive vessels, passenger ferries and water taxis.
Anyone pursuing a formal career in the South African maritime industry
You can register for the Efficient Deck Hand course directly through the EDH course page. PYT Cape is an accredited training provider offering the full EDH programme with experienced, qualified instructors. Visit the course page to view upcoming dates, entry requirements and to complete your enrolment.
You will need to meet SAMSA’s sea service requirements before sitting the EDH assessment. If you are new to the industry, the process starts with building up your sea service hours and completing the prerequisite safety certificates. The team at PYT Cape can guide you on the best route into the PYT pathway from a standing start.
The EDH (Efficient Deck Hand) is a SAMSA -recognised professional maritime qualification. It certifies that you have the knowledge, skills and competencies to perform deck crew duties safely on board a commercial or passenger vessel operating in South African waters.
It is the entry-level standard for paid deckhand employment and a formal step in the PYT Cape (Professional Yachtmaster Trainee) training pathway. The qualification covers seamanship, watchkeeping, mooring and anchoring, basic navigation, safety and emergency procedures, and environmental compliance. Find out more about this course in our recent EDH Course blog here.
STCW 2010 refers to the Manila Amendments, which came into effect in 2012. They updated the STCW 95 (1995) rules to include new competencies, more frequent refresher training, updated medical fitness requirements, and provisions for modern safety issues such as security awareness. There are a few differences between these 2 rules, view a summary here.
You must complete an STCW Refresher Course every five years, as required by the IMO under the STCW Convention.
This STCW Training Course is available at training centre in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. You can find out more about the Cape Town based STCW Refresher course here.
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.
The main difference between STCW 95 and STCW 2010 lies in the updates introduced by the 2010 Manila Amendments. While STCW 95 set the global baseline for seafarer training and certification, STCW 2010 introduced new requirements such as mandatory refresher training every five years, updated safety and security training, stricter medical fitness standards, and competency assessments.
If your certificate was issued under STCW 95, you may need to update or revalidate it to meet STCW 2010 standards before working at sea. You can do your STCW Refresher course with us in our Hout Bay STCW Training Centre. Other courses are offered at our other course locations.
STCW 95 refers to the 1995 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) — a comprehensive update to the original 1978 convention, adopted by IMO member nations to modernize safety and training standards for seafarers
The amendments introduced structured regulations, mandatory code parts, and enhanced practical skills training that aligned international maritime training standards worldwide.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the UK government body that regulates maritime safety, training, and certification. It ensures all STCW courses, including the Basic STCW Course and STCW refresher courses, meet international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). MCA approval is a mark of quality that assures seafarers their training is globally recognised.
Links to the MCA found below.