maritime training | The Maritime Skills Academy

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.

Maritime Damage Control | What Ship Owners and Operators Must Know to Stay Compliant

Why proactive training for maritime damage control is non-negotiable, and how the Maritime Skills Academy leads the way.

When a maritime emergency occurs, whether through collision, grounding, flooding, or structural failure, your crew’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively can determine the difference between a controlled incident and a catastrophic loss. Maritime damage control is not a best practice; it is a mandatory compliance requirement under international maritime regulation.

For ship owners and operators, understanding these obligations is essential. Having the correct procedures, documentation, training and drill routines is an expectation of regulatory practice under the top governing bodies, SOLAS, STCW and the ISM Code.

And yet very few training organisations have the capability for facilities to deliver genuine, hands-on damage control training. In fact, the Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) is the only UK training provider that delivers a dedicated maritime damage control course, giving operators a unique opportunity to ensure full compliance while enhancing operational resilience.

Why Maritime Damage Control Matters More Than Ever

With international regulators tightening their expectations around emergency preparedness, passenger ships are required to conduct damage control drills every three months under new SOLAS updates. Each drill is designed to test crew responses to scenarios such as flooding, stability loss, or other structural emergencies. These drills must simulate varied conditions and require crew to operate key systems such as watertight doors, bilge pumps, cross-flooding systems, and flooding detection devices.

Additionally, at least one drill annually must include activation of shore-based support to validate communication systems and stability assessment protocols.

Regulatory Requirements Every Owner and Operator Must Meet

No matter the vessel, safety implementation is there for a reason, and respected bodies of authority regulate the conditions of these vessels to ensure everyone is operating at a safe standard.

Authorities such as SOLAS, the ISM Code and STCW all stress the significance of regular drills and crew being thoroughly versed in emergency procedures. However, many operators struggle to maintain these expectations.

Despite clear regulatory expectations, these weaknesses can be, and regularly are, identified during flag-state inspections and ISM audits.

The most common pitfalls for operators are insufficient practical training, lack of realistic damage control situations, inconsistent drills, gaps in familiarity and audit findings.

How to close the Compliance Gap with Maritime Damage Control

As the UK’s only provider of dedicated maritime damage control training, the maritime Skills Academy offers an unparalleled service to ship owners and operators seeking to meet their regulatory obligations and enhance real-world readiness.

Our maritime damage control training course allows crew to train in realistic, controlled flooding environments, operate live bilge systems and watertight closure, practice flood containment with dewatering techniques, patching and shoring.

By recreating the high-stress environment under the guidance of our skilled instructors, crew are able to put their classroom learning into practice which is essential for real-world capability, bridging the gap between drills and emergencies.

Strengthen your compliance with the Maritime Skills Academy

Ship owners and operators carry the ultimate responsibility for ensuring their vessels and crew can withstand the unexpected. Strengthen your compliance. Strengthen your crew. Strengthen your ship.

The Maritime skills Academy is ready to support you with the UK’s only comprehensive maritime damage control training solution.