Survival Courses Criteria - Second Edition

The specifications described in this document have been developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Each section includes entry requirements, aims and outcomes. The ‘staff to learner ratio’ is explained and in PST section, ‘emergency’ is explained in the context of various shipboard scenarios. Facilities and equipment, such as appropriate PPE, are detailed in addition to success criteria in relation to competence certificates.

This document provides the criteria for the development of courses to deliver training in personal survival techniques (PST), proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) (PSC&RB) and proficiency in fast rescue boats (PFRB), in addition to the updating training requirements for each. These requirements are in accordance with international regulations for seafarer training.

Training courses developed in line with these criteria, delivered at centres approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will cover:

Personal survival techniques (Section 2) – the mandatory requirements within basic training
Personal survival techniques updating training requirements (Section 3)
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) (Section 4)
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) updating training requirements (Section 5)
Proficiency in fast rescue boats (Section 6)
Proficiency in fast rescue boats updating training requirements (Section 7)
The specifications described in this document have been developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The MCA has agreed with the MNTB that the specifications described in this document will satisfy the requirements for approved training. Conditions for MCA approval of short courses are contained in Annex A, which should be used in conjunction with the MCA guide to approval of regulatory training requirements.

With regard to updating training, the learning outcomes required for the personal survival techniques, the proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) and the fast rescue boats updating course are a subset of those required for the full courses. It has therefore been agreed that training centres that hold current MCA approval (ie have completed MCA initial or re-approval within the last 5 years) to deliver the full programme and use the same staff, need only submit course material for the desk assessment, and additional QA procedures if required, to gain approval to deliver this updating course. The updating course approval will be limited to the same re-approval date as the full course approval. Training centres seeking approval to deliver updating courses should approach the Marine Office which granted the approval for the full course. Training centres that wish to offer updating training only will need to seek MCA approval accordingly. In such instances, the existing requirements for full course delivery must be taken into account, ie staff to learner ratio, facilities and equipment and conduct of training.

The national occupational standards relating to this training are:

A11 – Take personal emergency action on board a vessel
A12 – Respond to emergencies on board a vessel
A15 – Take control of survival craft and rescue boats.
There is also a suite of Maritime Studies Qualifications which contain units relevant to this training. The specific units are:

Survival in the water during maritime emergencies
Control operation of survival craft and rescue boats.
These criteria have been developed to deliver education and training covering survival at sea to meet specific parts of the regulatory requirements of Tables A-VI/1-1, A-VI/2-1 and A-VI/2-2 of the Annex to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, hereafter referred to as STCW.

This training is required by seafarers seeking certification under:

STCW Regulation VI/1 – basic training or instruction for ratings, able seafarers, trainee officers and others on board
STCW Regulation VI/1 – updating training of basic training for those holding a personal survival techniques/combined certificate (or recognised equivalent) in excess of five years old, and all those exempted from the basic course by virtue of sea service prior to 1 August 1998
STCW Regulation VI/2 – training or instruction for ratings, able seafarers, trainee officers and others on board for proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) and covering proficiency in fast rescue boats
STCW Regulation VI/2 – updating training of PSC&RB and PFRB for those holding an existing certificate (or recognised equivalent) in excess of five years old.
The overall aim is to provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to protect and maintain their own and others’ safety at sea in accordance with international regulations.

Section 1 Introduction

Section 2 Personal survival techniques course criteria

Section 3 Personal survival techniques updating training course criteria

Section 4 Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) course criteria

Section 5 Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) updating training course criteria

Section 6 Proficiency in fast rescue boats course criteria

Section 7 Proficiency in fast rescue boats updating training course criteria

Annex A MCA approval of short courses

Annex B STCW Code:

(i) Table A-VI/1-1

(ii) Table A-VI/2-1

(iii) Table A-VI/2-2

Annex C Instructor/assessor qualification and experience requirements

Annex D Specimen certificates:

(i) Personal survival techniques

(ii) All four basic safety courses

(iii) Personal survival techniques updating training

(iv) Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats)

(v) Updated proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats)

(vi) Proficiency in fast rescue boats

(vii) Proficiency in fast rescue boats updating training criteria

Annex E Updating training self declaration forms:

(i) Personal survival techniques

(ii) Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats)

(iii) Proficiency in fast rescue boats

UK Chamber of Shipping

The UK Chamber of Shipping is the trade association and voice of the UK shipping industry. We work with Government, parliament, international organisations and others to champion and protect the industry on behalf of our members.

It is our mission to deliver for our members trusted specialist expertise, lobbying and influence at a UK level on maritime issues across national, European and international government and governmental bodies. By combining the strength of our members with this expertise we will advance the competitive strength of the industry ensuring that the UK remains as a leader in the global maritime business.

https://ukchamberofshipping.com/about-us/our-mission/

MNTB

The Merchant Navy Training Board is the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing sector specific education, training and skills.

https://mntb.org.uk/