The STCW Advanced Fire Fighting course is a mandatory qualification for deck and engineering officers qualifying for their Certificates of Competency (CoC), as well as designated crew responsible for controlling and coordinating firefighting operations aboard commercial vessels, superyachts, workboats, and cruise ships.

Building substantially upon foundational fire fighting principles, this intensive 4-day course places critical emphasis on Command, Control, and Incident Leadership. Operating from our dedicated fireground facility in South Gloucestershire, delegates master live tactical entries, breathing apparatus team deployment, compartment smoke ventilation, stability mitigation, and strategic liaison with external response teams.

AFF J.D Fire Unit Instructing

Course Specifications

Duration 4 Days (09:00 – 17:00 Daily).
Prerequisites Participants must hold one of the following recognised certifications prior to starting this training:
Medical & Physical Fitness This course includes physically demanding live hot fire entries wearing full Breathing Apparatus (BA). Candidates must be in good health and fit to perform rigorous evolutions.
Certification Upon successful completion, candidates receive an MCA approved certificate: Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW A-VI/3) Valid for 5 years as per STCW 2010 Manila Amendments.

Already hold an STCW Advanced Fire Fighting ticket?

Looking for the 1-Day UAFF Refresher?
MCA Approved Training Provider

Booking Info

Cost £834.00 inc VAT
Location South West Maritime Academy, Cromhall Quarry, Cromhall, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8AA.
Dedicated Fire Training Ground at South West Maritime Academy
STCW Table A-VI/3 Specification

What Does the STCW Advanced Fire Fighting Course Cover?

A comprehensive 4-day syllabus balancing practical tactical leadership with regulatory command protocols on our dedicated fire training ground.

1. Command, Control & Fire Organisation

Establish tactical authority, delegate roles to emergency response teams, and organize shipboard command posts under critical pressure.

  • Fire Control Plans: Rapid interpretation of statutory shipboard safety graphics, damper controls, and isolation valves.
  • Team Leadership: Marshalling, briefing, deploying, and debriefing emergency fire parties and backup squads.
  • Dynamic Risk Assessment: Continual appraisal of fire progression, hazardous zones, and crew welfare.

2. Tactics, Breathing Apparatus & Heavy Smoke

Command advanced search and rescue patterns in enclosed compartments with zero visibility and intense heat.

  • BA Control Protocols: Managing BA tallies, entry control boards, stage cylinder pressure calculations, and relief cycles.
  • Thermal Imaging: Deploying TIC units to locate deep-seated fire seats and unaccounted personnel.
  • Search & Extraction: Tactical lead-line searches, casualty extrication, and guiding teams through compromised ship spaces.

3. Fixed Extinguishing Systems & Detection

Master the operation, precautions, and safe discharge protocols for total flooding and localized containment systems.

  • Gas Smothering: Pre-discharge alarms, boundary evacuation, and operating High-Pressure CO2 and Novec/Inergen banks.
  • Water-Mist & Drenchers: Activating machinery space local application systems, high-expansion foam, and sprinkler zones.
  • Detection Hardware: Optical smoke, heat, flame detectors, and interpreting bridge fire panels.

4. Vessel Stability & Free Surface Effects

Analyse and manage the dangerous interaction between firefighting water volume and shipboard transverse stability.

  • Free Surface Risk: Assessing retained water hazards on car decks, vehicle spaces, and compartment bulkheads.
  • Scupper & Drainage: Clearing blocked deck drains, operating scupper pumps, and maintaining list stability.
  • Coordination: Calculating dynamic stability shifts with the Chief Engineer and Master during suppression.

5. Fire Tactics at Sea vs. In Port

Adapt emergency command strategies across differing navigational states, port environments, and dangerous cargo interfaces.

  • At Sea: Managing isolated vessel emergencies where external assistance is days away, relying solely on ship assets.
  • In Port & Drydock: Coordinating with municipal shore fire brigades, international shore connections (ISC), and harbor authorities.
  • Dangerous Goods: Managing dangerous goods fires in accordance with the IMDG Code and Emergency Schedules.

6. Casualty Extrication & Investigation

Lead the safe removal of injured personnel and carry out post-incident investigations, reporting, and equipment reconstitution.

  • Casualty Evacuation: Rescuing casualties from engine room lower flats and holds using stretchers and hoists.
  • Reporting & Evidence: Compiling statutory marine incident reports for the MCA and MAIB.
  • Re-Servicing Equipment: Recharging cylinders, testing hoses, and returning safety gear to instant readiness.

Advanced Fire Fighting FAQs

Who is required to take the STCW Advanced Fire Fighting course?
The 4-day STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) course is mandatory for all deck and engine officers working towards their MCA Certificates of Competency (Officer of the Watch, Chief Mate, Master, or Engineer Officer). It is also required for any designated crew members assigned to command or lead firefighting operations aboard commercial merchant ships, offshore installations, and large yachts.
What are the exact prerequisites for attending the full AFF course?
To enrol on this 4-day course, candidates must already hold a valid STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) certificate (Section A-VI/1-2), an MNTB Stage One Fire Fighting certificate, or a recognised Royal Navy Fire Fighting course. If you have not completed basic FPFF, contact our office to discuss combining your modules.
How long is the STCW Advanced Fire Fighting certificate valid for?
Under the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, your Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting is valid for 5 years. To maintain your ticket, you must attend a 1-day Updated Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting (UAFF) refresher course every five years.
Does completing AFF remove the requirement to update Basic Fire Fighting (FPFF)?
No. This is a common misconception. Completing the Advanced Fire Fighting course or its 1-day UAFF update does not waive or replace the requirement to also hold and refresh your STCW Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) certificate every 5 years. Both certifications must be kept valid.
How physically demanding is the training?
The course is highly practical and takes place on our dedicated outdoor fireground simulator. You will be wearing full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus (BA), handling charged hoses, climbing vessel-style ladders, and leading search parties through high-heat, smoke-filled compartments. All candidates must be medically fit to participate.
What clothing and gear should I bring?
We provide all specialist fire suits, flash hoods, boots, gloves, helmets, and breathing apparatus sets. You will need to bring comfortable under-clothing (cotton-based t-shirts and tracksuits are best for wearing beneath heavy fire gear), a towel, and a spare change of clothes and thick socks in the winter.
Can this course be booked as part of an update package?
If you already hold your initial AFF certificate and are due to revalidate your 5-year tickets, we offer combined revalidation bundles including our STCW 4-Day Update Package and 3-Day Update Package, which bundle UAFF together with UFPFF, UPST, and UPSCRB.
5-Year STCW Revalidation

Already Hold Advanced Fire Fighting?

If you already possess a full 4-day Advanced Fire Fighting certificate, you do not need to repeat the full initial course to stay compliant at sea. Under the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, your qualification can be revalidated by completing our MCA-approved 1-Day Updated Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting (UAFF).

  • Refresher Duration: 1 Day (09:00 – 17:00)
  • Prerequisite: Valid or expired STCW Advanced Fire Fighting ticket
  • Cost: £225.00 inc VAT
  • Package Options: Available as a standalone day or combined within our STCW 3-Day & 4-Day Update Packages
View 1-Day UAFF Refresher Details →

Accommodation & Support

Contact & Group Enquiries

For course queries, corporate bookings, or assistance regarding entry prerequisites:
Telephone: 01454 260130
Email:
Normal Office Hours (UK Time):
Monday – Friday: 08.30 – 17.00

Local 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.

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