Author: Alexandra Cayzer

Does my business need health and safety training?

If you are looking to run a safe, compliant and legal operation, your employees must be trained in basic health and safety, then the short answer is yes! 

Health and safety training not only protects customers and staff but also lessens the risk of damage, serious injuries, and unsuccessful insurance claims, should the unthinkable occur.  

Is Health and Safety training a legal requirement? 

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, it is a legal requirement for business owners and employers to take responsibility for the safety of the workplace environment. This includes providing information, instruction, training and supervision.  

Businesses with more than five employees and a physical place of work must have designated staff for emergencies, including first-aiders, fire marshals, and sweepers. However, these roles cannot be assigned to staff who have not had the appropriate training.  

Which Businesses Need Health and Safety Training? 

Health and safety training is not restricted to any one industry or business type. Spanning all sizes and sectors, our health and safety training can be tailored to simulate realistic scenarios specific to your business needs. 

Paediatric delegate completing health and safety training

For example, incorporating our paediatric training facilities for those who work with children and young persons, simulating fire scenarios for office workers, or emergency first aid at work for construction.   

What Does Health and Safety Training Involve? 

For most, basic health and safety training will cover the essential steps for administering first aid. You will learn how to calmly and confidently perform CPR on a casualty as well as how to use an AED. The course will also cover bandaging, burns, shock, and choking, so you are best prepared for an incident in the workplace.  

To expand your safety skills, you might also require fire awareness training. You’ll be instructed on how to effectively use a fire blanket, as well as the difference between fire extinguishers and when to use each one.  

Fire Marshal delegate extinguishing a fire

We also offer confined space training for those who work in tight environments, teaching how to respond to a casualty in confined spaces.  

How often does training need to be updated? 

The time between refreshers can vary depending on the awarding body and business in question. At the Maritime Skills Academy, we provide a range of OFQUAL Emergency First Aid at Work courses, with options to complete Level 3 Paediatric First Aid, Fire Safety Awareness, and Emergency First Aid at Work. While the certifications remain valid for three years, we’d recommend a two-year to annual refresh for staff to keep their learning up to date. 

What happens if a business does not follow health and safety? 

Failure to follow health and safety regulations can result in a multitude of serious consequences for business owners, which can include fines, criminal charges, increased costs going forward or business closure. 

To avoid these repercussions, it is important to ensure that training is valid, and staff are prepared to handle emergencies. By training at the Maritime Skills Academy, you will receive a reminder from our booking team when your training is coming up for renewal.  

Where to get health and safety training in Kent? 

The Maritime Skills Academy is a Kent-based, family-owned business in Whitfield, Kent, providing health and safety training to all local businesses. With state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled trainers, our courses are second to none. 

And if you can’t come to us, we can also bring our training to you! Our mobile trainers can bring our equipment to your workplace, so your team can put their training into practice, in the place where it is most needed.  

Interested in booking health and safety training in Kent? Contact us for more information or browse our health and safety page to see our courses and capabilities.  

Damage Control Training: Practical Drills & Onboard Exercises That Work

In order for damage control training to have a valuable and lasting effect on crew, a mixture of classroom teaching and practical exercises is required.

In the heat of the moment, with high-pressure water streams pouring in every direction, logic and composure can be compromised.

Damage control delegates holding up paratech in simulation container

That’s why, at the Maritime Skills Academy, we host our training in four stages: classroom learning, dry practice, external practice, and a final exercise with a fully simulated hull breach and burst pipes.

Damage control training drills and exercises

Flooding Response and Scenarios

Using our damage control simulation container, we can replicate onboard emergencies that require crew to practice closing watertight doors, isolating compartments,  and performing counterflooding and ballast adjustments.

With progressive flooding, crew will be able to manage prioritisation, evaluating which area is the greatest contributor and which will become submerged first.

Shoring and Patching Drills

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we simulate realistic water flows to train crew in the use of shores, timber, box patches and collision mats, all whilst operating under growing pressure. Putting crew in a simulated environment allows a deeper understanding of equipment capabilities and limitations.

Damage control delegates practicing leak management. Using a simulation box

Creating scenarios like this not only prepares teams for the worst but also improves cross-department cooperation and teamwork.

Communication and Command Drills

Damage control training puts a team’s communication skills to the test. Operating under loud, stressful and uncomfortable conditions can disrupt clear, effective communication and put the vessel at risk of further damage.

This is why a clear hierarchy and action plan are a necessity in emergency situations like this. If team members are all aware of their roles and who they answer to, there is no need to delegate in response to an emergency.

Four damage control delegates fitting paratech in a container during their final exercise

Similarly, using equipment to communicate across departments and to shore is essential for managing a damaged ship. Shore-based professionals will need to be aware of the ship’s condition to prepare emergency services for rescues and clear space for the vessel if an emergency stop is required.

Abandon Ship and Casualty Triage Rehearsals

If the damage is beyond management, crew will be required to organise an abandon ship scenario. At the Maritime Skills Academy, we train delegates on safe handover practices that reduce confusion and casualties.

Damage Control Training at the Maritime Skills Academy

We believe in training crew to manage damage control scenarios, using industry-standard equipment and technology that will be accessible when on board. Simulating multiple real-world scenarios that will prepare crew to work as a team to manage flooding and further damage.

Investing in regular damage control training is essential for vessels carrying valuable cargo, whether it be goods or passengers, and can save lives.

To find out more about our facilities’ damage control capabilities, find the full course details here, or to book contact our team today.

The MCA has announced new requirements for PSSR: Here’s how the changes will affect you 

New changes to the STCW PSSR (Personal Safety and Social Responsibility) course have been introduced in 2026, to include more training and awareness on sexual harassment and assault. 

PSSR students in classroom, learning about latest updates

New modules will be added to the course structure to ensure all crew members are educated in the prevention of violence and harassment, including bullying. Although not mandatory, it would be beneficial for all crew to be trained in the updated course structure to ensure conduct on board is to the highest standard. 

What will the changes to PSSR mean for passengers?  

The intention of introducing further learning to PSSR, to educate crew on violence and harassment, is to improve the social experience on board a vessel, for crew and passengers alike. Crew will be better equipped to handle onboard conflicts, manage relationships and behave appropriately. Promoting respectful, dignified conduct will result in a better passenger experience and improve the reputation of industry workers. 

What will the changes to PSSR mean for crew?  

For crew members updating their training, there will be little change to the course they took previously, apart from the duration being slightly longer to accommodate the new topics.  

Cruise Ship sailing on a clear sunny day

Violence and harassment have always been against policy on board a vessel; however, the new training in PSSR will give crew the skills they need to de-escalate a situation and manage relationships on board.  

What will the changes to PSSR mean for training companies?  

Any course change requires extensive research and training. Instructors will need to become well-versed in the updated course content so that they can confidently deliver the training to the crew. It is also important for a maritime training centre to contact its clients, ensuring they are well aware of the changes and advising them on how best to proceed.   

STCW students in classroom learning about PSSR

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we can help your training company stay up to date with ever-evolving course and industry regulations. If you’d like to book PSSR training for yourself or your crew, then please contact our team today to find out more.