Overview
All crew joining a commercial vessel must complete STCW Basic Safety Training Course. This STCW course is mandatory for new crew joining a vessel. The course teaches the skills to handle emergencies onboard.
What does the course cover?
This course covers five mandatory elements plus Security Awareness, introduced in 2014.
- Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (A-VI/1-2)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (A-VI/1-4)
- Proficiency in Security Awareness (A-VI/1-6)
- Sea Survival Techniques (AVI/1-1)
- Elementary First Aid (A-VI/1-3)
Training is split between classroom sessions and practical, hands-on skills and practical exercises. You will learn how to use the safety equipment onboard a vessel, from breathing apparatus to life rafts.
Accommodation
Almost all customers choose our accommodation option. Flying Fish crew houses in Cowes are comfortable and centrally located—just a 5-minute walk to the town and our training centre. You can mix and socialise with other people on the course who, like you, will start a career in the Superyacht industry.
Please select the accommodation option below if you want to stay with us.
Are you looking to start a career on a Superyacht?
As well as the STCW course, you will need additional skills to become a competent Deckhand of Stewardess. If working on a Superyacht is your goal, we recommend our Superyacht Deckhand or Stewardess course. Some of the additional skills include:
- The STCW course.
- Powerboat level two.
- Bespoke Stewardess or deckhand-specific training course.
- Career support service. Everything from CV mentors to tax advice.
Finance options
You can choose to pay for the STCW Course over time using our finance option. Pay as little as £16.89 over 48 months (other options available). For more details, see the key facts section below.
Key facts
Financing this course
There are two options to pay for this course.
- Pay using a debit or credit card.
- Spread the payments over time using our finance option through our partner, Newpay.
How does the finance option work?
First, check whether you qualify for finance by clicking the Newpay icon at the bottom of this page. Newpay will perform a basic credit check to check eligibility. Please read our key facts for details before applying.
- Once the checks are complete, select the course start date and accommodation and proceed to the checkout.
- Choose your payment method.
- Complete Newpays finance application process
- Your first payment will be debited from your account one month after you book this course.
All finance is subject to acceptance by the credit provider, Newpay.
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping, introduced by Governments around the world formally agreed to standardise training. STCW was introduced in 1978. It was amended 1995, and again in 2010.
The STCW Basic Safety Training course and the certificates issued comply with the latest standards.
If you would like to know more about STCW, read our dedicated what is STCW blog.
As well as STCW, all crew who work on a commercial vessel, including Superyachts, must hold an ENG1 Medical.
We recommend you complete the ENG1 Medical before the start the course, as it confirms you are fit to go to sea. However, it is not a booking condition, you can book your course without it.
There are no formal pre-course requirements, but you must be 18 or over to enrol on this course.
Fire Fighting and Personal Survival are physically demanding and require a good fitness level.
We recommend that all customers complete an ENG1 medical or equivalent medical before enrolling on this course. If you have concerns about your fitness, then please get in touch with Flying Fish.
For successful completion, 100% attendance is required, and students are expected to participate in all parts of the course.
This course is delivered in English therefore, you must understand spoken and written English to pass any verbal or written course assessments.
The STCW Basic Safety Training course comprises classroom-based theory sessions and practical training exercises. This course is fun, action-packed, and a very enjoyable five and a half days. The itinerary is as follows:
Monday
Lunchtime course briefing at our training centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Monday PM – Wednesday
STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW A-VI/1-2)
This practical 2.5-day course gives you the knowledge and skills needed to use firefighting equipment, fire extinguishers, and breathing apparatus to reduce a fire to a safe and controlled state.
Thursday
STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-VI/1-4)
0.5-day basic induction into accident prevention and health and safety issues onboard ships.
STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1)
0.5-day compulsory training module for all crew members employed on ships required to comply with the ISPS Code.
Friday
STCW Personal Survival Techniques (STCW A-VI/1-1)
Develop your understanding of the survival equipment onboard and how to evacuate your vessel in an emergency. The morning is classroom based. The afternoon is a practical session in a swimming pool where we’ll show you how to use a liferaft.
Saturday
STCW Elementary First Aid (STCW A-VI/1-3)
Learn to identify life-threatening conditions, perform CPR, recognise hypothermia, and be better prepared to help a casualty in an onboard emergency.
The course finishes around 16:30 on Saturday.
What our previous students have to say
I recently completed my training with flying fish. From booking the course all the way through to receiving my certificates the team made it an effortless process and were always on hand to help.
Daisy
I completed the Superyacht Deckhand course with Flying Fish in January 2023 and I highly recommend anyone interested in starting a career in yachting do their training with Flying Fish.
Niall
Book STCW Basic Safety Training Course today!
We run STCW Basic Safety Training Courses every week. If you require accommodation, then please click the accommodation add-on. We look forward to meeting you!
6 day(s)
£810
Cowes, Isle of Wight
Still not sure?
From training to career advise we’ll be happy to sit down and give you the guidance you need!
If you are new to the Maritime industry and don’t have experience working on Superyachts, then you will benefit by gaining extra knowledge to stay above the rest.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a legal requirement to drive the yacht tenders so, for Deckhands, this is a must.
Along with our STCW Course, those looking to gain more experience and get that edge, we recommend our Superyacht Deckhand or Steward/ess courses.
Superyacht Deckhand Course
Our most popular programme, providing everything you need to start your new career. Includes STCW Basic Safety Training.
15 day(s)
£3,000
Superyacht Steward/ess Course
This course is the right choice for anybody looking to become a Steward/ess. Includes STCW Basic Safety Training.
15 day(s)
£3,000
RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course
Join our RYA Powerboat Level 2, learn a new skill, and have fun on the water.
2 day(s)
£340