SBT311 STCW Basic Safety Training

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Course code

SBT311A
Locations and dates

Nelson:

16 October 2025

Block course: 16 Oct-24 Oct 2025
Length

Online study plus face-to-face workshops (8.30am–5.00pm, 7 full days excluding weekend).
Fees

Tuition: 2500.00

Student levy: 32.00
Credits

20

The STCW (Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers) short course certificates are required by anyone seeking employment in the merchant navy or superyacht industry, both internationally and in New Zealand.

This course provides basic safety training for seafarers working on board ships, in line with STCW VI/1 competencies. Upon completion, students will receive certificates in First Aid, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, and Seafarers Security Awareness. The course covers topics such as survival techniques, fire prevention, first aid, personal safety, and security awareness.

Commercial training

In addition to the intake dates listed, additional courses can be arranged for groups. These five courses are also available separately if you already hold some of them.

Workshop/Block-course dates

As part of this course, you must attend a 7-day block course on the Nelson campus.

Download our 'List of Maritime Short Courses(external link)' document for all upcoming workshop/block-course dates.

Enrol today to start your online component, and talk to our team about which block course you wish to attend.

Please note your STCW certificate may take up to two weeks to be issued to you upon successful completion of the course.

Course overview

Course Aim

The aim of this course is to provide seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship with basic safety training that is aligned to the competencies prescribed in STCW VI/1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be issued with the following certificates:

STCW Elementary First Aid
STCW Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
STCW Personal Survival Techniques
STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
STCW Seafarers Security Awareness

Course Content

Topic 1: Personal Survival Techniques
Topic 2: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
Topic 3: First Aid
Topic 4: Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
Topic 5: Seafarers Security Awareness

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate competence in personal survival techniques so that they will be able to survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment as per STCW Table A-VI/1-1
Minimise the risk of fire and maintain a state of readiness to respond to emergency situations involving fired, extinguishing fires on board a vessel. as per STCW Table A-VI/1-2
Fight and Extinguish fires on board a vessel as per STCW Table A-VI/1-2
Take immediate action upon encountering an accident of other medical emergency as per STCW Table A-VI/1-3
Comply with emergency procedures as per STCW Table A-VI/1-4
Take precautions of prevent pollution of the marine environment as per STCW Table A-VI/1-4
Observe safe working practices as per STCW Table A-VI/1-4
Contribute to effective human relationships on board a ship as per STCW Table A-VI/1-4
Understand and take necessary steps to control fatigue as per STCW Table A-VI/1-4
Contribute to the enhancement of maritime security through heightened awareness as per STCW Table A-VI/6-1
Recognize security threats as per STCW Table A-VI/6-1
Understand the need for and methods of maintaining security awareness and vigilance as per STCW Table A-VI/6-1

Unit Standards

6400 Manage first aid in emergency situations
6401 Provide first aid
6402 Provide basic life support

Individual competencies

The STCW Basic Training short course certificate covers the following five competencies, which can also be taken individually:

STCW Fire Prevention and Fire-Fighting
STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
STCW Personal Survival Techniques
STCW Elementary First Aid*
STCW Seafarer Security Awareness - this is an online course which you can complete from anywhere you have an internet connection. Computers are available on campus if you do not have your own device. You will be given access up to one month before the 7 day block-course/workshop, so you can get started on this competency prior to completing the face-to-face components of the STCW Basic Training

Useful links

Entry requirements

Course information

What to bring

Pen
An extra change of clothes (togs) and towel for the practical session of the Survival course. Overalls are supplied
Rain coat
Sturdy shoes are required for the fire fighting and flare practical. i.e. solid enclosed shoes. No sandals or jandals
1 x Passport sized photo. This can be scanned to the office as a JPG file or bring photo to course

Class information

Classes start at 8.30 am (Please arrive by 8.15am).

The classroom will be advised prior to the start of the course. The Fire Fighting component is held at Richmond Campus, 390 Queen St, Richmond.

There are no unit standards on this course.

Can I apply for StudyLink for this course?

No, this short course is not eligible for student loans or allowances. StudyLink loans and allowances are only available for programmes (not short courses) of 12 weeks or more duration.

Fee information