Cruise

Marine safety certifications require mariners to renew their certificates periodically. This decision was arrived at after the Manila Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Seafarers Convention. New laws require that all mariners should regularly update their training modules that include first aid, firefighting, survival techniques, personal social safety and social responsibility. This is training is meant to ensure all seafarers can respond to all emergencies outside and in a vessel.

Facts About the Refresher Course

Duration

The refresher course takes five days of instruction and two days of the training of fire prevention and firefighting. One and a half days for survival techniques. which include updated proficiency tests in Survival Craft, Rescue Boats and Fast Rescue Boats. One day of first aid, and half a day for social responsibility. This basic safety training used as a start point for new recruits in the marine industry, but now new recruits and veterans all the same need regular updates.

The training is kept as realistic as possible. Training centers need to have an environment that provides a higher degree of practicality in the emergency models students undertake. Also, the training has to meet the standards of the oil and gas industry to be approved by Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Professional Requirements

More so seafarers onboard shall have to present certificates to prove that the safety courses have been revalidated. This should happen within the previous five years they are undertaking the STWC refresher course. Port authorities may also demand evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence.

However, the refresher course shall only start to be mandatory by 1 January 2017. Nevertheless, it is necessary for all seafarers, training managers, ship owners, and their associates to schedule training in advance before the deadline approaches. Training grounds need to be booked in advance.

Consequences of Non-compliance

If the ship’s crews fail to provide certificates, their ships would certainly fail the ship inspection test. In this regard, only those who can prove that their members of staff have undertaken the refresher course within the previous five years past will be allowed to sail out.

Medical and personal safety courses are not mandatory to update. Refresher courses in Medical Care are not mandatory under the STWC Marine code. However, every crew member need to revalidate their training in First Aid as mentioned by the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STWC.

Sea emergencies have high risks on safety. Therefore, it is crucial that all crew members receive regular training. This will equip them with new skills and refresh their minds on how to respond to act in emergencies.…