Training Course | The Maritime Skills Academy

An important update to STCW PSSR

In a recent announcement, the MCA introduced a free online training module designed to help all seafarers and companies meet the updated PSSR requirements.

This course must be completed by 31st March 2027 if you took a PSSR course before 1st January 2026.

The STCW PSSR course amendments require seafarers to demonstrate knowledge of:

Prevention of violence and harassment
Identification and reporting of such behaviours
Understanding impacts on safety, health and wellbeing
Appropriate response and support, including trauma‑informed principles

The Importance of Personal Safety and Social Responsibility On Board

STCW Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) is an essential qualification for anyone looking to work on board. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it also prepares crew for onboard situations and equips them with the knowledge they need to display appropriate conduct.

PSSR helps new and existing crew to manage onboard wellbeing for themselves and their peers; it covers best practice in ocean protection and prepares crew for onboard emergencies and alarms.

Introduction of new modules to PSSR

The latest updates to the course have been introduced to improve wellbeing and the onboard work environment. Bullying and harassment of all kinds can occur in any workplace, and friction can develop between anyone. Unlike other workplaces, a career onboard can mean a blurred line, or lack of differentiation between work life and social life.

The nature of the role means that the impacts of harassment and bullying are heightened, and the importance of appropriate training is even more essential for those who work at sea.

Prevention of violence and harassment

The key to maintaining a pleasant onboard atmosphere starts with preventing violence and harassment.

A crew that does not fear uncomfortable interactions is more likely to operate smoothly, and individuals will be in a better space mentally, ultimately improving the quality of life and work on board.

Identification and reporting of such behaviours

If prevention is not an option and negative onboard interactions are occurring, all seafarers must be trained to identify these specific behaviours.

Appropriate training will ensure bullying and harassment are identified and reported to seniors as quickly as possible. This will mean conflict resolution can begin and the onboard atmosphere can return to functionality.

Understanding impacts on safety, health and wellbeing

In some circumstances, bullying and harassment could be well-hidden or disguised. By understanding the impacts of harassment on safety and health and wellbeing, crew can better identify if it is occurring.

Recognising a fellow crew member whose behaviour has changed, like withdrawing, avoiding team activities, or behaving erratically, can be a clear indication of an issue.

Crew can then proceed to report their suspicions, and the conflict can be investigated.

Crew members should also be prepared to respond to the fallout of an onboard conflict, because it can affect the entire team and the atmosphere of onboard spaces.

Appropriate response and support, including trauma-informed principles

An appropriate response to bullying and harassment is crucial, especially when a crew member is approached by a peer who is willing to open up about their experiences.

A victim of bullying and harassment is more likely to confide in someone they are familiar with than a senior or manager, which is why it is so important for all seafarers to be trained in how to respond to trauma.

PSSR Training Update

Following the recent updates, it is now essential for anyone who completed their PSSR training prior to the 1^st of January 2026 to update their qualification before the 31^st March 2027.

To help seafarers update their qualification in an accessible way, the MCA has released a free module that can be completed online.

Alternatively, at the Maritime Skills Academy, we are increasing our PSSR course dates to accommodate seafarers who need to update their training, which you can book by contacting our team.

Which Marine Course Should I Take?

If you’re considering a career at sea, or looking to work in the maritime industry, there will be marine courses that you will need to complete.

However, not all courses are mandatory, as it will still depend on the role you’re looking for.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we offer a variety of marine courses that can open a number of doors.

Basic Safety Training (BST)

Starting with the most important marine course, by gaining your BST, you’ll be able to apply for a wide range of roles.

The BST course covers all five modules that make up the basic Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certification, including:

Fire prevention & Fire Fighting
Personal Survival Techniques
Elementary first Aid
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
Security Awareness

Which Jobs Require BST?

Holding the Basic STCW certification is a legal requirement for any mariner that works on board a commercial vessel longer than 24 metres, including ferries, tankers, cruise ships and more. In addition, the BST is a prerequisite for many more advanced courses that will help to develop your career at sea.

How often do I need to refresh my maritime training?

(updating courses as per Manila amendments)

Here are the refreshers that require updating every 5 years:

UPST (0.5 days theory and practical)
UFP&FF (1 day practical)
UAFF (1 day theory)
UPSCRB (0.5 or 1 day Theory and practical)
UFRB (0.5 day or 1 day theory and practical)
UPMC (medical care 3 days practical)

It is mandatory for all crew to retake the courses every five years. Refreshers are shorter than the full course you took the first time around. You also have the option to self-declare onboard training so you can take shortened updating courses.

GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)

GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) is an internationally recognised health and safety certification for people working in the wind energy industry. The program covers five key safety topics, including:

Fire awareness
First aid
Manual handling
Sea survival
Working at heights

MSA has partnered with Checkmate (HART) to offer all modules of the GWO BST programme. At MSA Dover, we offer the GWO Sea Survival course, covering the topics:

Risks related to transfers
Transfer from vessel to dock and vessel to foundation
Emergency and safety procedures on installations, vessels, and WTG
Evacuation from WTG to the water by means of rescue device
Individual and collective survival techniques at sea

The one-day intensive course combines both theory and practical elements to ensure that students are prepared for any eventuality while working offshore.

What Jobs Require GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)?

The GWO BST is required for all workers in the offshore renewables industry, including:

Technicians
Engineers
Project Managers
Management Staff

Currently, the UK offshore renewables industry employs 40,000 workers, with that number expected to rise to 97,000 by 2030, meaning there’s plenty of opportunity to work in this growing industry.

MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1)

The MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1) is a must for anyone looking to pursue a career as a marine engineer or ship operator aboard a commercial vessel under 24 meters in length.

Not only is the course recognised (and often required) by private captains and charter companies, but it is also a required step toward obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency from the MCA.

The AEC1 course covers a variety of topics, including:

Compression ignition engines
Two- and four-stroke operation cycles
Fuel systems
Cooling systems
Electrical systems
Lubrication technologies
Power transmission units

Over the five-day course, students will receive both classroom instruction and hands-on experience with engines, allowing them to put their new knowledge to the test.

What Jobs Require MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1)?

Although the MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1) isn’t legally required for work aboard commercial vessels under 24 meters in length, it is typically required (or preferred) by private captains and charter companies.

In addition, the AEC1 course is a necessary step toward obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency from the MCA. Obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency along with the Basic STCW certification allows holders to serve as chief or first assistant engineer on Merchant Navy vessels of any size.

Launch Your Maritime Career at the Maritime Skills Academy

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to the question, “Which maritime course is best?”

The best marine course for you will depend on your career goals and the type of vessel you hope to work on.

Discover our MCA, GWO, and BMA approved courses that will help you launch your maritime career.

To learn more about our courses or to find out which one is right for you, feel free to browse our course catalogue or contact our booking team to discuss your requirements.

Why is Marine Pilot Ladder Transfer Training important?

Pilot ladder transfers, although safer than ever before, are the most perilous aspect of a pilot’s voyage. An International Maritime Pilots Association investigation (which spanned from the 16th to the 30th of May 2025) found that over 14% of the 5,200 participants reported substandard transfer arrangements.

Enforcing safety standards that ensure crew are prepared for pilot ladder transfers and for navigating pilot ladders in different conditions or scenarios, is as vital as ever.

What is a pilot ladder transfer?

Maritime pilotage is a service that guides larger vessels into a town’s port. Pilots are familiar with the port in question, and pilot boats are smaller vessels that can manoeuvre easily. Often required during bad weather or poor visibility, the role of a pilot can be high-risk.

Pilotage can, on occasion, require crew to board the larger vessel they are assigned to. This involves using either a gangway, a combination ladder, an accommodation ladder, or a pilot ladder. The most dangerous of these is a pilot ladder.

Marine pilot climbing ladder during practical marine pilot ladder transfer training

A pilot ladder consists of two strong ropes that hang from the deck or bulwark of a ship, slatted with hardwood spreaders (steps that prevent a ladder from twisting). Marine pilots are required to pull their pilot boats alongside the larger vessel and climb onto the ship whilst both are in motion.

What are the dangers crew face during pilot ladder transfers?

The greatest risk to crew members during a pilot ladder transfer is falling. Whether that be into the sea or back onto the deck of their pilot boat–Both of which can be fatal.

With marine pilots often being called out in poor weather, falling into the sea can risk them getting lost, swept under, or knocked out. Whether a fall is a result of violent seas or faulty, broken ladders, it is important to be trained in controlled falls and rescuing fallen casualties.

Another risk of pilot ladder transfers is crew getting stuck between the two vessels they are transferring to and from. It can be difficult for pilots to navigate steadily beside a larger vessel especially when both vessels are moving. This risk is in almost all cases fatal and is a hard circumstance to train crew for. At the Maritime Skills Academy, we teach crew how to safely abort a pilot ladder transfer, so once a hazard is assessed, evacuation or rectification is as safe as possible.

How can pilot ladder transfer training reduce the risks?

Training pilots to safely transfer between vessels, using standard methods and procedures, means crew are prepared to respond to hazardous situations. Although we cannot reduce the dangers marine pilots face, we can train them to respond safely and evacuate when necessary.

Our course prepares crew to identify and rectify damaged pilot ladders. This means pilots can take responsibility for their own safety if the vessel they are boarding has failed to do so.

We also train crew to assess pilotage risks. If a venture is too high-risk, a pilot may decide against a pilot ladder transfer. But without proper training, risk assessments may be unsatisfactory, and crew could be at risk of injury or casualty.

UKMPA endorsed pilot ladder transfer training

Our UKMPA-endorsed pilot ladder transfer safety training course focuses on proper rigging, inspection, and maintenance of pilot ladders, as well as risk management during transfer operations. Using both classroom and practical learning to teach pilots about real-world scenarios and showing them how to respond firsthand.