What STCW is
STCW stands for the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is the international convention that sets the minimum qualifications for anyone working on a commercial vessel, from container ships to private superyachts. For seasonaires looking at yacht work, STCW Basic Safety Training is your non-negotiable entry ticket. No STCW, no job offer.
You will hear references to STCW 95 and STCW 2010. STCW 95 was the original framework; the 2010 Manila Amendments updated it and introduced the requirement to refresh certain modules every five years. Modern courses are taught to the STCW 2010 standard, and this is what every reputable yacht employer will expect to see on your certificates. PSSR refers to one specific module inside the course, not a separate qualification.
The five modules
Basic Safety Training is a single five-day course made up of five modules. You complete them in sequence, usually Monday to Friday, and the school issues one certificate covering all five on successful completion.
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST): Pool session with life jackets, liferafts and survival drills. The module most people remember; expect to be in the water for hours.
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF): Live fire training in a purpose-built rig. You will use breathing apparatus and tackle real fires in a controlled environment.
- Elementary First Aid (EFA): Classroom-based basic first aid, CPR and casualty management at sea.
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR): Life on board, teamwork, emergency procedures, pollution prevention and crew welfare.
- Security Awareness (PSA or PDSD): Ship security, piracy, ISPS code basics. A short module added as a 2010 amendment requirement.
What to expect on the course
The pool work is the most physically demanding part. You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you must be comfortable in the water and able to jump from a height of around 1.5 metres. The fire module is hot and smoky but safe. Most schools allow reasonable dietary requirements and adjustments; flag any concerns when you book.
Where to do it
The certificate is the same wherever you take it, but location matters for your next step. Train near the hiring hub you plan to work in and you can move straight into dockwalking and agency meetings. The main options for UK and European crew break down as follows.
- United Kingdom: Maritime training centres on the south coast (Cowes, Southampton, Plymouth) are popular with British crew. Well regulated under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and easy to combine with an ENG1 medical.
- Antibes, France: Training schools in the French Riviera yachting hub. Finish the course and start dockwalking the same week. Popular with new crew targeting the Mediterranean summer season.
- Palma, Mallorca: Similar set-up to Antibes with several schools in and around the port. Strong for interior, deckhand and engineering entry roles.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida: The gateway to Caribbean and American yachting. Schools here are well connected to captains heading south for winter.
Cost and timelines
Budget between £800 and £1,200 for the five-day STCW course depending on location and school. UK schools tend to sit at the lower end of that range; Fort Lauderdale is usually the most expensive once currency is factored in. Add around £100 to £150 for the ENG1 medical and you have your minimum spend to become employable.
Timeline-wise, plan at least six to eight weeks before the season you want to work. Courses in Antibes and Palma fill up fast in late winter as the Mediterranean fleet ramps up. Book early, book the ENG1 in parallel, and use the time between completion and the first charters to register with crew agencies.
Full starter budget for yacht crew
STCW Basic Safety Training: £800 to £1,200
ENG1 medical: £100 to £150
Crew kit (polo shirts, shorts, deck shoes): £150 to £250
Accommodation for two to four weeks while dockwalking: £400 to £900
Realistic total: £1,500 to £2,500 to arrive, qualify and start working. See our yacht crew jobs (no experience) guide for a deeper breakdown.
ENG1 medical
The ENG1 is a seafarer medical certificate issued by an approved doctor. It confirms your eyesight, hearing, blood pressure, general health and any medication use meet the Maritime and Coastguard Agency standard for work at sea. It is separate from STCW but just as essential. No ENG1, no boarding.
The appointment takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Expect a vision test, hearing test, urine test, blood pressure check and a short medical history review. Most UK ports have approved ENG1 doctors, and your training school can usually recommend a local clinic. A standard ENG1 is valid for two years and costs £100 to £150.
Common ENG1 concerns
Colour blindness, uncorrected vision below the required standard and some long-term medications can lead to a restricted or failed ENG1. If you have any concerns, speak to the clinic before booking; many will offer a pre-medical consultation so you do not waste the full fee. A failed ENG1 can sometimes be appealed.
Renewals
STCW Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting both require refresher training every five years under the 2010 amendments. Refreshers are shorter (typically two days combined) and cheaper than the full course. Elementary First Aid, PSSR and Security Awareness do not have a formal expiry, although employers may prefer refreshed certificates and some flag states impose their own rules.
ENG1 renewals are straightforward: book another appointment before your existing certificate expires. Longer-term crew often time refreshers to coincide with a yard period or rotational leave. If you are serious about the industry, keep every certificate current; lapsed paperwork costs you job offers. Browse STCW courses on PeakWave to find training providers near you.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need STCW for every yacht job?
Yes, for almost every paid crew role on a commercial yacht. STCW Basic Safety Training is the minimum legal requirement under international maritime law for anyone working on a vessel over a certain size. Day charter boats and smaller operations sometimes hire unqualified crew, but any serious superyacht programme will require STCW before you step on board.
UK versus overseas school: which is better?
UK schools like those in Cowes are well respected and convenient if you are based in Britain. Schools in Antibes or Palma put you in the hiring hub itself, so you can dockwalk and meet agents as soon as you finish. Fort Lauderdale suits anyone planning to work in the Caribbean or American market. The certificate is identical wherever you take it, so choose based on location and timing.
ENG1 versus STCW: are they the same thing?
No. STCW is your safety training qualification. ENG1 is a separate seafarer medical certificate that confirms you are fit for work at sea. You need both to get hired. STCW proves you can respond in emergencies; ENG1 proves your eyesight, hearing and general health meet the Maritime and Coastguard Agency standard.
How long is STCW valid?
Most STCW Basic Safety Training modules are valid for five years. Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting require refresher training every five years. Elementary First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities generally do not expire, though some employers prefer refreshed certificates. ENG1 is valid for up to two years.
Will my employer pay for STCW?
Usually not upfront. STCW is treated as the cost of entry into the industry, so crew pay for their own training before applying. Some rotational or long-contract employers reimburse refresher courses or specialist add-ons once you are on the payroll, but do not expect this for your first certificate.
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