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21 Aug 2022

What is an STCW and why do you need it?

Almost all of our correspondence with potential candidates begins with the same question: “What is the STCW and why do I need it?”

The STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is an internationally recognised certification standard required by all seafarers working on commercial vessels above 24 metres (79 feet) in length. This includes crew working on yachts, commercial ships, ferries, cruise ships, and superyachts. Your STCW basic training forms part of your core safety preparation and is a compulsory requirement if you are interested in a job as an onboard stewardess, deckhand, engineer or chef.

The course runs every week in Cape Town, South Africa and takes 11 days to complete. It comprises five modules:

STCW training modules:

  1. Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

Course duration: 2 days 

Certification: SAMSA STCW Certificate of Completion 

Assessment: Written assessment & Practical evaluation

PSSR offers new and experienced crew members the basic health and safety skills required on modern and traditional vessels. It covers common hazards, personal protective equipment, pollution prevention, as well as general and emergency routines which you might come across. 

Course outline: 

  • Comply with Emergency Procedures
  • Take precautions to prevent pollution to marine environment
  • Knowledge and observation of safe working practices
  • Contribute to effective human relationships on board ship
  • Contribute to effective communications on board ship
  • Understand and take necessary actions to control fatigue

  1. Marine Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (MFF)

Course duration: 3 days 

Certification: SAMSA STCW Certificate of Completion 

Assessment: Written assessment & Practical evaluation

You will learn about fire prevention on board a yacht or ship and how to follow firefighting protocol should there be a case. The module employs a modern fire training rig with gas fired cribs and synthetic non-toxic smoke to produce a very realistic, controllable, environmentally friendly, and safe training environment. Our SAMSA/MCA approved on-site facility is operated by our partner company, STC-SA and run by expert fire-fighters.

Course outline:

  • Minimise the risk of fire and maintain a state of readiness to respond to
    any emergency situations involving fire
  • Fight and extinguish fires – control firefighting operations onboard a ship
  • Organise and train fire parties
  • Investigate and compile reports on incidents involving shipboard fires
  • Inspect and service fire-detection/suppression systems and firefighting equipment

  1. Elementary First Aid

Course duration: 2 days 

Certification: SAMSA STCW Certificate of Completion 

Assessment: Written assessment & Practical evaluation

STCW Elementary First Aid is one of the four compulsory commercial modules required to work on vessels covered by the STCW convention. It is internationally recognised and covers CPR, breaks & splints, bandaging, drowning, hypothermia and much more. All of the instructors are career professionals in the medical world and are serving paramedics in most cases. We choose them carefully to ensure they have specific seafarer knowledge as well as extensive experience in their field.

Course outline:

  • Contents of First Aid Kit
  • Body structure and function
  • Examination of casualty or patient
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Burns scalds and effects of heat and cold
  • Fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries
  • Medical care for rescued persons
  • Radio medical advice
  • Cardiac arrest, drowning and asphyxia

  1. Personal Survival Techniques (PST)

Course duration: 2 days

Certification: SAMSA STCW Certificate of Completion

Assessment: Written assessment & Practical evaluation

STCW Personal Survival Techniques is the name given to sea survival in the merchant navy. We teach you the necessary skills to survive if you ever have to abandon ship. We place equal emphasis on both small vessels and larger ships. You will get the opportunity to wear a SOLAS approved survival suit and lifejacket to experience the equipment fitted to most merchant ships during the pool drills. The equipment that is provided in a liferaft is discussed and demonstrated in detail. During your course you will be instructed in how to stay afloat, board a liferaft and maintain the raft fit for use. We discuss different types of lifejackets and how to check them before use. You will see a life raft capsized and witness or take part in the procedure to turn it over again.

Course outline: 

  • Safety and Survival
  • Emergency Situations
  • Evacuation
  • Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats
  • Personal Life Saving Appliances
  • Survival at Sea
  • Emergency Radio Equipment
  • Helicopter Operations
  • Apply first aid to survivors

  1. Proficiency in Designated Security Duties

Course duration: 2 days 

Certification: SAMSA STCW Certificate of Completion 

Assessment: Written assessment & Practical evaluation  

This PDSD certification is required by crew who have been assigned a security duty onboard their vessel. This applies to all superyacht crew members and should be completed in place of Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA). Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the principles and responsibilities of national and international ship security officer requirements. They would have acquired the skills to maintain ship security plans, appreciate security levels, develop and maintain measures for the control of access to the vessel, conduct ship security and risk assessments, and implement effective search mechanisms and security control.

Course Outline:

  • Maintain conditions set out in a ship security plan
  • Recognition of security risk and threats
  • Undertake regular security inspections of the ship 
  • Proper usage of security equipment and systems 

How Long is an STCW Certificate Valid?

Every five years, seafarers are required under STCW convention to provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities working on board a yacht.

Where can I get an STCW Basic Safety Training Certificate?

You can book your STCW basic safety training course at any approved maritime academy. Get Onboard Superyacht Academy is based in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. If you are keen to learn more about becoming a yacht crew member, check out our “Beginners Guide to Yachting” Ebook to get you started! For any questions or additional advice, please contact us and let us help you Get Onboard!

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FAQ

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There are two basic yacht training requirements that you need to complete in order the legally be eligible to work at sea. This includes the STCW’10 basic training course the ENG 1 medical the Proficiency in Designated Security Duties. These are compulsory courses and must be completed no matter which job or position you are applying for.
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. The STCW’2010, previously referred to as STCW’95, is a compulsory requirement for any seafarer in order to be eligible for employment at sea. The STCW 2010 has replaced STCW 95 and is the new code that all seafarers working on board commercial vessels must adhere to. If you are planning on joining the superyacht industry to look for a yacht job as a stewardess, deckhand, engineer or chef, you will need to complete this STCW course. The course runs every week from our academy in Cape Town and takes 11 days to complete.
The ENG1 Medical is a basic medical certificate and is as essential as your STCW’10. It is a mandatory requirement to prove you are fit to work as a yacht crew member at sea. Only MCA-approved doctors can perform an ENG 1 medical exam. The exam takes around 1 hour to complete, and should you pass you will leave with your certificate immediately. Our facilities enable you to complete your ENG1 medical at the same premises as your STCW’10 for your ultimate convenience.
The yachting industry is predominantly a career focused on hospitality. While various skill sets may assist you in finding a job, they are not enough to fully prepare you for a job on board. You will still need to complete the correct Maritime Training to be fully equipped for a job as a Super Yacht Crew member. The following skills/ experience are beneficial: – Hospitality training, including waiters, bar tenders, event staff, hotel training, cruise liners – Au pair, nanny and child care, tutoring, child entertainment – Beauty therapists: nail technicians, hairstylists, beauty therapists – Trade skills including: carpentry, varnishing, building, plumbing, tiling, engineering – Watersports: scuba diving, wakeboarding, sailboarding, waterskiing – For Chefs: A natural ability and training/experience as a Restaurant, Estate, Hotel Chef – Personality traits: Social skills, cultured, good work ethic, good manners, well presented, self— confident, a positive attitude.
There are usually four departments onboard a super yacht including the deck department, engineering, interior and galley.
Completing your deckhand courses prior to looking for your first job, demonstrates to your employers that you are dedicated crew member that understands what is required in order to be successful as an entry level crew member in the super yacht industry. Our industry leading standard of training ensures all our candidates enter the super yacht industry. The primary duties of a deckhand are shared between the maintenance of the yacht exterior and looking after the guests. Maintenance tasks include painting, filling and fairing as well as 1- and 2-part varnishing jobs, plus all other cleaning, polishing and scrubbing duties. Guest related tasks vary from tender driving, beach set ups, water sports, jet skis, anchoring or manoeuvring of the yacht. In addition the STCW training course, any of the following courses would be considered advantageous:
  • Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory
  • Yachtmaster/Coastal Practical
  • Specialist Super Yacht Training Course (Deck Hand Training Course)
  • RYA Power Boat Level II
  • RYA Personal Watercraft Course
  • RYA Competent Crew Certificate
  • RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates
  • RYA Radar
  • VHF Radio Operator’s License
The primary task of a Steward or Stewardess onboard is to maintain the interior or the luxury yacht to the highest standard. You will also be required to cater to the needs of yacht owners or charter guests. Service, housekeeping and laundry form the three main departments of the stewardess responsibilities. Food hygiene and safe food preparation are also a major component of working as a stewardess on a super yacht. Our stewardess training certification is run in Cape Town, South Africa. This is an entry level training course, designed for any crew member that is looking to pursue a career as as stewardess. Combining both practical and theoretical course modules, you will spend time working with actual products used onboard as well as familiarise yourself with processes for when guests are onboard. In addition the STCW training course, any of the following courses would be considered advantageous:
  • Stewardess Course
  • ENG1
  • Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
  • MCA Food Safety Level 2
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
Simple. Just email info@get-onboard.com explaining which course you are interested in. We will provide you with a list of available dates and our booking form. Simply return to us with your proof of payment and you place of the course is reserved.
Once you are qualified, what are the next steps to finding your first job onboard? Yacht CV’s are very different to landbased CV’s and are essential when looking for a job on a yacht.
Our courses have been created in order to best prepare our students with the correct qualification, and industry specific knowledge that would be expected of junior crew in the yachting industry. The founders of Get Onboard superyacht Academy spent over 12 years as a senior ranked crew members and so offer our candidates with the most up to date information to best prepare you for the industry. Without your STCW and ENG1 you are not legally able to work at sea, so until you have completed those requirements, finding employment will be impossible. While the other courses are not compulsory, as industry experts we feel it is in our students best interest to educate themselves as much as possible before entering the super yacht industry. We do our best to offer our students the best possible advice on courses that would be most beneficial to their career goals as well as their pockets.
Here at Get Onboard Superyacht Academy, we pride ourselves on offering our students practical and honest advice. That’s why you will never find us trying to sell your courses that won’t be specifically relevant to your department. Landing your first job while you are still in South Africa is almost impossible. The reason for this is because just like you would interview for a land based position face to face.
Day work is a great way of networking, building contacts in the industry, and most importantly finding you first super yacht job. Day work refers to when you do not have a formal contract in place with a yacht, but you help out onboard for anything from a day to several weeks. Day working is a great way for you to get a sense of different roles onboard and whether the industry is right for you. Often the Captain or senior crew member will use day work as a trial or “audition” to see who is the best fit for the crew and is the most efficient worker so it is an excellent tool to use when searching for your first job.
There are two main yachting hubs, the Mediterranean, particularly Antibes in France or Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Fort Lauderdale or Miami in Florida. We explain the different seasons and best time of year to visit each areas in our article Best Locations To Get a Yacht Job for Time of Year.
The standard entry level salary for a junior stewardess or deckhand ranges between €2000-€2500 or $2300-$2800 per month. This amount is generally tax free, although the onus is on each crew member to check with their home county about tax obligations. Certain countries are tax exempt provided you spend more than 6 months out of the county. Check out our dedicated article on this here. We have covered all of this and much much more in our easily downloadable yachting industry guide eBook. We go into detail of where you should start your career and at which time of year. We offer yachting CV templates, a packing list, course list, accommodation and visa information. We break down the various yacht crew departments so that you can see where might be the best fit for you. We explain what dock walking is, how to get day work, salary expectations and most importantly how to secure that first job.
Working on a yacht is not all fun and games; it means spending great lengths of time away from friends and family, putting in extra-long hours as needed and living in a shared, confined space.
For many, the benefits of a yacht job outweigh the negatives. These include travelling the world, the opportunity to make and save a lot of money, making new friends for life and gaining important skills that will transfer over to many other industries.
Yachting is for anyone who loves to go out of their way to please. However, it is open to all sorts of personalities – every boat is different. Take a look at our page on what makes a great superyacht crew for more information.
The minimum age to work on a yacht is 18 years old. While there is a chance of finding work straight after school, we suggest getting some work experience before departing South Africa.
Get Onboard has partnered with some centrally located accommodation providers as well as premium backpackers. If you require accommodation for the duration of your training, just be sure to mention it in an email and we will forward the options.
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