Prepare for life at sea with our fully updated, MCA-approved PSSR course. Personal Safety and Social Responsibility teaches a broad, knowledge of and compliance with safe working practices on board a vessel. The course aims to make new crew members familiar with life on board, employment and expectations and essential safety considerations.

Fully compliant with the 2026 STCW Code amendments (Resolution MSC.560(108)), this module now integrates crucial modern training on contributing to the prevention of and response to shipboard violence, harassment, bullying, and sexual assault—ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional working environment for all crew members.

MCA approved STCW Basic Safety Training course

Course Details

Duration 0.5 Days (Half-day module).
Prerequisites None. This module is essential for all new entrants to the maritime industry. Participants must be aged 16 or over.
Certification Upon successful completion, candidates receive an MCA approved STCW certificate:
  • Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (STCW A-VI/1-4)
Validity This certificate does not currently have an expiry date.
MCA Approved Training Provider

Booking Info

Cost £100.00 inc vat (Please note all prices include VAT @ 20%)
Location South West Maritime Academy,
Cromhall Quarry, Cromhall, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8AA

New to the industry?

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Understanding Life at Sea: Personal Safety and Social Responsibility

The STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) module is designed to prepare new seafarers for the unique living and working conditions found aboard a ship. While other modules focus on physical skills like fire fighting or survival, PSSR focuses on the human element—ensuring you understand safety culture, emergency protocols, and your responsibilities toward your crewmates and the marine environment.

At South West Maritime Academy, we believe that safety starts with a mindset. Fully aligned with the latest international amendments, our PSSR training provides an essential foundation for anyone entering the maritime industry, ensuring you are prepared for a safe, respectful, and professional career at sea.

PSSR is a core component of the STCW Basic Safety Training package. It is an essential requirement for anyone working on superyachts, merchant vessels, or offshore installations.

Safety & Environmental Protection
  • Pollution Prevention: Understanding MARPOL regulations and the impact of ship operations on the marine environment.
  • Safety Culture: Learning the importance of following safe working practices, risk assessment, and reporting hazards.
  • Emergency Procedures: Familiarisation with shipboard emergency signals, life jacket protocols, and muster stations.
Human Element & Teamwork
  • Living Aboard: Understanding the unique realities of close-quarters, long-term life and work at sea.
  • Teamwork & Diversity: Developing effective, cooperative working relationships within multi-national, diverse crews.
  • Communication: Ensuring clear, precise, and effective communication, especially during crisis and emergency scenarios.
  • Fatigue Management: Recognising the signs of stress, fatigue, and substance abuse on overall shipboard safety.
Anti-Harassment & Safe Work culture

Mandatory competence under IMO Resolution MSC.560(108) effective 1 January 2026:

  • Defining Behaviors: Clearly identifying what constitutes harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault at sea.
  • Psycho-Social Risks: Understanding how power imbalances, isolation, and stress alter crew dynamics.
  • Reporting & De-escalation: Learning reporting channels, safe bystander intervention, and conflict de-escalation.
  • Support Mechanisms: Understanding basic trauma-informed response principles to assist victims of onboard incidents.

PSSR Frequently Asked Questions

What does PSSR stand for in STCW?
PSSR stands for Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. It is one of the five mandatory modules that make up the STCW Basic Safety Training framework for seafarers.
What is the STCW PSSR course?
The PSSR course is a classroom-based module designed to introduce new seafarers to the working environment, safety culture, and social realities of life at sea. It covers emergency protocols, pollution prevention, and effective communication within a multinational crew.
Who needs an STCW PSSR certificate?
The PSSR certificate is required for all personnel working on commercial vessels, superyachts, and cruise ships. It is a fundamental legal requirement for any crew member to be compliant with the STCW Code.
How long does the PSSR course take to complete?
The Personal Safety and Social Responsibility module is typically a half-day course. When taken as part of the full Basic Safety Training week at South West Maritime Academy, it is usually scheduled alongside other introductory modules.
Does the STCW PSSR certificate expire?
Unlike the Fire Fighting or Sea Survival modules, the PSSR certificate does not currently have a mandatory expiry date under STCW 2010 regulations. Once you have successfully completed the training, the qualification is generally valid for the duration of your career.
Can I do the STCW PSSR course online?
While PSSR is a theory-based module, South West Maritime Academy provides this as a classroom-based course to ensure high-quality interaction and understanding of the human element. This ensures you meet the full MCA approval standards required for professional work.
Are there any practical assessments in the PSSR course?
PSSR is primarily a theory-based module. Assessment is carried out through classroom participation to confirm your understanding of shipboard safety and social responsibilities.
Do I need any previous experience to take the PSSR course?
No previous maritime experience is required. PSSR is an entry-level module specifically designed for those who are new to the industry and are looking to start their career at sea.

STCW Basic Safety Training

Personal Safety and Social Responsibility is one of the five mandatory modules required to complete your STCW Basic Safety Training (BST). Explore the other modules below:

View Full 5-Day BST Package

Contact & Accommodation

Contact Us

Please contact us if you require further information or wish to book on behalf of a company:
Telephone: 01454 260130
Email: info@southwestmaritimeacademy.com
Normal Office Hours (UK Time):
Monday – Friday: 08.30 – 17.00

Accommodation

There is a wide range of local accommodation, some of which are within walking distance of the training centre, to suit everyone’s budget.

View Local Accommodation