Maritime & Offshore Energy: Technical Guide & Glossary

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)

The STCW Convention represents the global baseline for seafarer competency. Originally adopted in 1978, it established the first set of international standards for training, certification, and watchkeeping.^{1, 2, 13} Before this convention, standards were set by individual governments, leading to significant disparities in crew qualifications across the international fleet.

The 1995 Amendments (STCW 95)

The 1995 amendments were a fundamental restructuring of the convention, shifting the focus from the duration of training to the demonstration of competence. This revision divided the STCW Code into Part A (mandatory standards) and Part B (recommended guidance). It introduced mandatory safety training for all seafarers, regardless of their rank or department, ensuring that every person on board possesses basic survival and firefighting skills.^{2, 39}

The 2010 Manila Amendments (STCW 2010)

The Manila Amendments, adopted in June 2010, were designed to keep the STCW standards relevant in an era of rapid technological advancement.^{3, 13, 53} These amendments introduced several critical updates to the maritime training landscape, including the formalisation of the Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and Electro-Technical Rating roles.^{4, 53}

Key Feature of Manila Amendments	Operational Impact and Requirement
Mandatory Security Training	Introduced three levels: Security Awareness, Designated Security Duties, and Ship Security Officer.10, 39, 53
Refresher Training	Established 5-year revalidation cycles for safety-critical courses.5, 13, 20
Rest Hours	Stricter requirements for seafarer rest to prevent fatigue-related accidents.4, 53
Electronic Charts (ECDIS)	Mandatory training for deck officers serving on ships fitted with ECDIS.5, 10, 13
Leadership and Management	Introduction of HELM courses at operational and management levels.5, 10
High Voltage Training	Required for engineering officers on vessels with systems over 1,000V.3, 13

The transition period for the Manila Amendments concluded on 1 January 2017, after which all seafarers were required to hold certificates issued or revalidated in accordance with the 2010 standards.^{4, 6, 20}

STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) Modules

The STCW Basic Safety Training Week is the cornerstone of maritime certification, mandatory for any person working on a commercial vessel over 24 metres.^{2, 6, 39} The training consists of five specific modules designed to provide foundational emergency response skills.^{7, 48}

Personal Survival Techniques (PST): (STCW Code A-VI/1-1) covers emergency situations, ship abandonment, and the use of life-saving appliances.^{7, 57} Practical assessments include donning immersion suits and righting inverted life rafts.^{8, 9, 57}

Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF): (STCW Code A-VI/1-2) focuses on the physics of fire and the methods used to extinguish different classes of fire using portable extinguishers and breathing apparatus (SCBA).^{7, 48, 57}

Elementary First Aid (EFA): (STCW Code A-VI/1-3) equips seafarers with skills to provide immediate life-saving first aid, including CPR and AED use.^{8, 57}

Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR): (STCW Code A-VI/1-4) introduces novice seafarers to the onboard environment, emphasising safety culture, pollution prevention, and fatigue management.^{7, 8, 48, 57}

Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA): (STCW Code A-VI/6-1) is required for all personnel on vessels subject to the ISPS Code, covering threat identification and reporting.^{7, 10, 13}

Professional seafarers must also maintain their credentials through STCW Refresher Training every five years.^{3, 13, 20}

Advanced and Specialised STCW Training

As seafarers progress in their careers, they must obtain higher-level certificates of proficiency:

Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB): Required for those taking charge of survival craft.^{11, 35} The PSCRB Restricted version is specifically for the yacht industry where vessels lack davit-launched lifeboats.^{12, 13, 26, 33}

Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF): A mandatory course for officers, focusing on managing firefighting parties and system maintenance.^{14, 15, 21, 33}

Human Element, Leadership and Management (HELM): These Operational and Management level courses address the human factors in maritime accidents.^{5, 8, 10}

The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Standards

The GWO standards ensure that personnel working in the wind energy industry—especially onshore and offshore—are properly trained to perform tasks safely and efficiently.

GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)

The GWO Basic Safety Training is the foundational requirement for wind technicians and consists of modules addressing specific turbine hazards.

GWO BST Module	Technical Focus and Prerequisite	Duration and Validity
Working at Heights	Use of fall arrest systems, vertical ladder safety, and self-rescue.	2 days / 24 months
Manual Handling	Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in confined turbine spaces.	1 day / 24 months
Fire Awareness	Identification of fire risks in the nacelle and equipment use.	1 day / 24 months
First Aid	Basic life support and emergency response in remote settings.	1 day / 24 months
GWO Sea Survival	Vessel-to-turbine transfers and water survival.7, 19, 20	1 day / 24 months

GWO certifications are recorded in the WINDA (Wind Industry Training Records Database), allowing global employers to verify training status instantly.

GWO Advanced and Technical Training

Advanced Rescue Training (ART): Detailed techniques for rescuing colleagues from complex areas like the hub, spinner, and blades.

Enhanced First Aid (EFA): Suited for technicians in remote areas where medical support may be delayed; covers advanced resuscitation and trauma management.

Basic Technical Training (BTT): Introduction to mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

Slinger Signaller (SLS): Essential for lifting operations, covering slinging techniques and communication with crane operators using standardised signals.

The RYA Training Scheme and Pathways

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) provides recognised pathways for both Sail and Motor cruising, leading from entry-level competency to professional RYA status status.^{21, 22, 37}

RYA Sail Cruising Pathway

The sail pathway focuses on mastering wind power, sail trim, and traditional seamanship.

Start Yachting / Competent Crew: Entry-level practical courses teaching basic sail handling, steering, and safety.

Day Skipper (Sail): The first level focusing on skippering a yacht by day in familiar waters.

Coastal Skipper (Sail): Advanced skippering for longer coastal passages, including night hours and watchkeeping.

RYA Motor Cruising Pathway

The motor pathway is designed for those operating power-driven cruisers, emphasising speed, technical engine management, and electronic navigation.

Start Motor Cruising / Helmsman: Foundation modules for boat handling, engine checks, and onboard safety.^{41, 14}

Day Skipper (Motor): Enables the skipper to take charge of 25–60ft motorboats safely on day trips.

Coastal Skipper (Motor): Prepares skippers for more advanced coastal passages by day and night.^{41, 45, 14}

Shared Theory and Specialist Courses

Both pathways share a set of mandatory shorebased theory courses that underpin practical skills:^{31, 37, 47, 14}

Day Skipper Theory: Basic navigation, tidal theory, and COLREGs.^{23, 24, 31, 47}

Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory: Advanced position fixing, meteorology, and passage planning.^{23, 25, 31, 42}

Marine Radio (SRC): Mandatory qualification for operating VHF and VHF DSC radio equipment.

First Aid: Specifically developed for water users, covering cold water shock and marine-specific injuries.

ICC (International Certificate of Competence): A document required for pleasure craft operators in many European countries; categories include Power, Sail, and Coastal.^{28, 40, 58}

The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention

SOLAS is the premier international maritime treaty, divided into 14 chapters governing ship safety and operation.

Chapter	Title	Technical Focus and Summary
I	General Provisions	Rules for surveys, certification, and port inspections.30, 18
II-1	Construction	Subdivision, stability, and electrical installations.
II-2	Fire Protection	Standards for fire detection and extinction (structural fire protection).
III	Life-Saving Appliances	Requirements for lifeboats, lifebuoys, and survival craft (LSA Code).30, 35
IV	Radiocommunications	Mandates GMDSS equipment across four Sea Areas (A1–A4).
V	Safety of Navigation	Operational rules including AIS, LRIT, and passage planning.30, 18
VI	Carriage of Cargoes	Standards for stowing and securing non-liquid/gas cargoes (IMSBC Code).
VII	Dangerous Goods	Regulations for IMDG, IBC, and IGC Codes.30, 18
VIII	Nuclear Ships	Safety requirements and radiation hazard protection.
IX	Management (ISM)	Mandates the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
X	High-Speed Craft	Makes the HSC Code mandatory for hovercraft, catamarans, etc.30, 19
XI-1	Special Safety Measures	Enhanced surveys, ship identification numbers, and Port State Control.
XI-2	Maritime Security	Mandates the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
XII	Bulk Carrier Safety	Additional structural requirements for bulk carriers over 150m.30, 18
XIII	Verification	Mandatory IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).18
XIV	Polar Code	Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters.43, 18

Boatmasters’ Licence and Workboat Code 3

For commercial operations in UK inland and coastal waters, the MCA mandates specific standards for smaller commercial vessels.^{16, 17, 12}

Boatmasters’ Licence (BML)

The Boatmasters’ Licence is a legal requirement for skippering commercial vessels on UK inland waterways and limited coastal areas.^{16, 27} To obtain the licence, candidates must complete basic safety training:

First Aid: Essential skills for medical emergencies on board.^{30, 16}

Fire Safety: Practical firefighting training (MCA 1-Day Fire Fighting).^{14, 16}

Water Safety: Personal survival and water safety knowledge.¹⁶

Workboat Code Edition 3

Published in 2023, the Workboat Code Edition 3 standard consolidates safety requirements for vessels up to 24m.^{12, 19, 34, 43, 51} It mandates:

Safety Management System (SMS): A comprehensive system for risk assessment, emergency drills, and environmental protection (Annex 8).^{19, 43}

Crew Training: Requirement for at least one crew member on vessels up to 15m (and all crew on vessels over 15m) to hold an approved fire fighting certificate or STCW equivalent.^{14, 27}

MCA Engineering and Deck Qualifications

Professional career progression in the UK maritime sector requires adherence to approved MCA guidelines.^{3, 11, 46, 10, 27}

Engineering: AEC 1 & 2

The MCA Approved Engine Course (AEC) is the foundational pathway for Small Vessel (SV) engineer training.^{11, 25, 28, 14}

AEC 1: A 5-day course (approx. 35 hours) covering marine diesel mechanics, fuel, air, cooling, and electrical systems.^{11, 25, 28}

AEC 2: An enhanced technical continuation building on AEC 1, covering refrigeration, hydraulic systems, electrical distribution, and legislation.^{11, 25, 29}

Completion enables work as an engineer or dual-role deck/engineer on vessels over 24m.^{11, 25, 28}

Deck: Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)

The Efficient Deck Hand course is a mandatory requirement for issuing the Officer of the Watch (Yacht less than 3000 GT) and Able Seafarer Deck certificates.^{32, 36, 38, 54}

Prerequisites: Candidates must be at least 17 and hold STCW Basic Safety Training, plus one of the following: RYA/IYT Yachtmaster Offshore, Yacht Rating (with 6 months sea service), NWR certificate, or BML Tier 1 Level 2.^{32, 36, 38}

Syllabus: Covers the Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP), knots, splicing, mooring, anchoring, and cargo work.^{36, 38, 29, 54}

Notice: An EDH certificate must be held for at least 18 months before an OOW Certificate can be issued.^{36, 38}

MCA Administrative and Certification Terms

Understanding the MCA’s administrative framework is vital for seafarers seeking UK certification.^{1, 3, 5, 46, 53}

Certification and Eligibility

CoC (Certificate of Competency): The primary licence authorising an officer to serve in a specific rank.^{1, 32, 46, 53}

CoP (Certificate of Proficiency): A certificate indicating competence in a specific skill, such as Security or Survival Craft.^{4, 14, 23, 32}

NoE (Notice of Eligibility): A mandatory document issued by the MCA confirming that a candidate has met sea time and training prerequisites to sit the oral examination. Valid for five years.^{1, 5, 46, 53}

LIA (Letter of Initial Assessment): A letter from a college assessing a candidate’s eligibility based on MCA guidelines.^{1, 5, 46}

ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate: The standard medical fitness certificate required for professional seafarers, issued by an MCA-approved doctor.^{8, 21, 32, 46}

The M-Notice System

The MCA uses a three-tier system to communicate technical and administrative information:^{3, 9, 46, 47}

MSN (Merchant Shipping Notice): Mandatory technical details of regulations (Statutory Instruments). Failure to comply is a breach of UK law.^{3, 9, 46}

MGN (Marine Guidance Note): Advisory information on safety practices or how to comply with MSNs.^{3, 9, 47}

MIN (Marine Information Note): Temporary information valid for a short period, often concerning exam dates or equipment approvals.^{3, 9, 47}

Notices are suffixed with (M) for Merchant ships, (F) for Fishing vessels, or (M+F) for both.^{9, 47}

Vessel Operations and Technical Data Terms

A professional seafarer must be familiar with technical terms used in vessel measurement and tracking.

Gross Tonnage (GT): Measure of the overall internal volume; SOLAS typically applies to ships ≥ 500 GT.

Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): The actual weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, fuel, and crew.^{14, 31, 52}

AIS (Automatic Identification System): A tracking system using transponders to identify a vessel’s position and heading.

LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking): A global satellite system transmitting ship information at 6-hour intervals to flag administrations.^{55, 56}

MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity): A unique nine-digit number used by AIS and DSC radios.