STCW Basic Training

STCW stands for the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The standards are set by the International Convention on STCW. Many of the standards have been incorporated into the United States Regulation and Policy for certain personnel.

The STCW Basic Training certification is necessary for mariners sailing beyond the U.S. Territorial Boundary Line (3 miles off the Atlantic/Pacific Coasts, 12 miles off the Gulf of America). While mariners on U.S. vessels under 200 GRT operating only on domestic voyages are not required to comply with STCW Basic Training, they are strongly encouraged to go through the training and certification process.

• Vessels over 500 GRT - STCW required
• Vessels 200-500 GRT - may require STCW, especially for international voyages
• Vessels under 200 GRT - generally exempt UNLESS operating internationally
• International Voyages - STCW required for all crew on commercial vessels
• Domestic Waters - U.S. vessels may follow 46 CFR regulations instead, but STCW is strongly encouraged

The Sea School offers STCW Basic Training courses at several of our brick and mortar locations. You can register here for an STCW Basic Training course that works best with your schedule. Upon completion of the course, mariners receive a Course Completion Certificate that they must submit alongside a USCG application for official STCW Basic Training certification. It is important to note that a Course Completion Certification is NOT a substitute for the official USCG STCW Basic Training credential.

STCW certificates are valid for 5 years and must be renewed when your MMC expires.

• Have 360 days of sea service in any capacity aboard a vessel that is required to hold regular fire, emergency, and abandon ship drills AND;
• Have taken ONE of the following:
  
  • A USCG Approved STCW Basic Training Revalidation course dated within the last 5 years
  • Basic Training Course for: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting and Personal Survival Techniques within the last 5 years
  • Refresher Course(s) for all 4 elements of Basic Training dated within the last 5 years
• If you do not have 360 days of sea service in the last 5 years you must have:
  
  • A USCG Approved STCW Basic Training Refresher Course taken within the last 5 years OR
  • Valid Basic Training courses for all 4 elements within the last 5 years

As with many requirements and certifications in the maritime industry, the renewal process for the STCW certification depends primarily on sea time.

Revalidation: If a mariner has completed an STCW Basic Training course in the past and HAS 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years, they can take a shortened version of the Basic Training Course.

Refresher: If a mariner has completed an STCW Basic Training course in the past but does NOT have 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years, they must take a Basic Training Refresher Course OR valid Basic Training Course for all 4 elements.

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The four elements of STCW Basic Training are:

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (PSSR)
• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• CPR & First Aid (CPR/FA)
• Basic Firefighting (BFF)

If you’re applying for entry-level merchant mariner credentials or a National License, you are NOT required to get your STCW Basic Training endorsement. Mariners are encouraged to go through the STCW Basic Training and certification process, though, as it will enable them to serve on larger vessels and in international waters as they advance in their career.

While the STCW endorsement does not officially require a separate drug test, you’ll likely need to take one or belong to a drug testing consortium when applying for or renewing your Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). If you already have your MMC and are looking to add an STCW certificate, you will NOT need to take an additional drug test.

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official STCW Basic Training certification, mariners must:

• Complete the necessary USCG application form.
• Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official STCW Basic Training certification. An STCW Basic Training course certificate is a document proving you have completed a specific training course that meets the international standards set by the "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers" (STCW) convention, while an MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential) is a credential issued by the US Coast Guard that signifies you are qualified to work as a mariner on US flagged vessels, and includes endorsements based on your completed STCW Basic Training courses and other qualifications; essentially, an STCW Basic Training certificate is a piece of training completion documentation, while an MMC is a comprehensive license to work at sea as a US mariner, which incorporates STCW Basic Training as a necessary component.

Yes. For STCW purposes, the medical certificate needs to be updated every TWO years for mariners without medical waivers. Updated medical forms can be sent directly to the NMC. There is no fee required for a medical certificate.