STCW Certificates 2026: Complete Guide

STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) certificates are mandatory for all seafarers. This guide covers every certificate you need from joining to command.

What is STCW?

STCW Convention:

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) standard
• Minimum training requirements
• Recognized globally
• India is signatory

Purpose:

• Ensure safety at sea
• Standardize training worldwide
• Mandatory for all commercial seafarers

Certificate Categories

By Career Stage

Stage	Required Certificates
Pre-Sea	BST/PST, PSSR, EFA, FPFF
Junior Officer	+ PSCRB
Senior Officer	+ AFF, MFA
Command	+ MC (for Master)

By Department

Department	Additional Certificates
Deck	GMDSS GOC, ARPA, ECDIS, Radar
Engine	ERS, High Voltage
Tanker	Tanker Familiarization + Specialized

Basic Safety Training (BST)

Components

1. Personal Survival Techniques (PST)

Details	Information
Duration	1-2 days
Content	Survival at sea, lifejackets, liferafts
Practical	Pool training, liferaft launching
Fee	₹5,000-8,000
Validity	5 years

2. Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting (FPFF)

Details	Information
Duration	1.5-2 days
Content	Fire types, extinguishers, fire fighting
Practical	Live fire fighting
Fee	₹5,000-8,000
Validity	5 years

3. Elementary First Aid (EFA)

Details	Information
Duration	1 day
Content	Basic first aid, CPR, wound care
Practical	Bandaging, CPR practice
Fee	₹3,000-5,000
Validity	5 years

4. Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

Details	Information
Duration	1 day
Content	Ship safety, environmental protection
Practical	Familiarization exercises
Fee	₹3,000-5,000
Validity	5 years

BST Package

Combined Course:

• Duration: 4-5 days
• Fee: ₹15,000-25,000
• All four components
• Recommended for efficiency

Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSCRB)

Overview

Details	Information
Full Name	Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats
Duration	4-5 days
Fee	₹12,000-18,000
Validity	5 years

Content

• Lifeboat operations
• Rescue boat handling
• Survival techniques
• Leadership in emergencies

Practical Training

• Lifeboat launching
• Rescue boat operations
• Sea survival exercises
• Night exercises

Who Needs It

• All deck officers
• Some engine officers
• Anyone assigned to survival craft duties
• Required before first ship for officers

Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)

Overview

Details	Information
Duration	4-5 days
Fee	₹12,000-18,000
Validity	5 years

Content

• Fire team organization
• Tactics and strategies
• Breathing apparatus
• Fire investigation

Practical Training

• Compartment fires
• BA (Breathing Apparatus) set use
• Fire team coordination
• Smoke diving

Required For

• Chief Officer and above
• Second Engineer and above
• Fire team leaders

Medical First Aid (MFA)

Overview

Details	Information
Duration	3-4 days
Fee	₹8,000-12,000
Validity	5 years

Content

• Advanced first aid
• Drug administration
• Medical emergencies
• Trauma care

Required For

• Chief Officer and above
• Second Engineer and above
• Designated medical officers

Medical Care (MC)

Overview

Details	Information
Duration	4-5 days
Fee	₹10,000-15,000
Validity	5 years

Content

• Extended medical care
• Telemedicine coordination
• Medical leadership
• Public health

Required For

• Master
• Chief Engineer (sometimes)
• Ships without doctor

Tanker Training

Oil Tanker Familiarization

Details	Information
Duration	3-5 days
Fee	₹10,000-15,000
Validity	5 years
Required For	All tanker crew

Oil Tanker Specialized

Details	Information
Duration	5-7 days
Fee	₹15,000-25,000
Validity	5 years
Required For	Senior tanker officers

Chemical Tanker Familiarization

Details	Information
Duration	3-5 days
Fee	₹10,000-15,000
Validity	5 years

Chemical Tanker Specialized

Details	Information
Duration	5-7 days
Fee	₹18,000-28,000
Validity	5 years

LNG/LPG Training

Course	Duration	Fee
Gas Tanker Familiarization	3-5 days	₹12,000-18,000
Gas Tanker Specialized	5-7 days	₹20,000-35,000

Navigation Certificates

GMDSS GOC (General Operator Certificate)

Details	Information
Duration	4-6 weeks
Fee	₹25,000-40,000
Validity	Lifetime (with revalidation)
Required For	All deck officers

ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid)

Details	Information
Duration	5 days
Fee	₹15,000-20,000
Validity	5 years

Radar Navigation & Plotting

Details	Information
Duration	5 days
Fee	₹12,000-18,000
Validity	5 years

ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display)

Details	Information
Duration	5 days
Fee	₹15,000-25,000
Validity	5 years

BTM/BRM (Bridge Team/Resource Management)

Details	Information
Duration	4-5 days
Fee	₹12,000-18,000
Validity	5 years

Engine Certificates

ERS (Engine Room Simulator)

Details	Information
Duration	5-10 days
Fee	₹15,000-25,000
Validity	5 years

High Voltage

Details	Information
Duration	3-5 days
Fee	₹15,000-25,000
Validity	5 years
Required For	Ships with HV systems

ERM (Engine Room Resource Management)

Details	Information
Duration	4-5 days
Fee	₹12,000-18,000
Validity	5 years

Security Training

SSO (Ship Security Officer)

Details	Information
Duration	3 days
Fee	₹10,000-15,000
Validity	5 years
Required For	Designated SSO

Ship Security Awareness

Details	Information
Duration	1 day
Fee	₹3,000-5,000
Validity	5 years
Required For	All seafarers

Certificate Summary by Rank

Deck Cadet

Certificate	When
BST (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR)	Pre-joining
PSCRB	Before first ship

Third Officer

Certificate	When
All Cadet certificates	Continue
GMDSS GOC	For COC exam
ARPA	Recommended
ECDIS	Recommended

Chief Officer

Certificate	When
All 3/O certificates	Continue
AFF	Mandatory
MFA	Mandatory
BTM/BRM	Recommended

Master

Certificate	When
All C/O certificates	Continue
Medical Care	Mandatory
SSO	Recommended

Engine Officers (Similar Pattern)

Rank	Additional to Cadet
4E	ERS, PSCRB (some)
2E	AFF, MFA, High Voltage
CE	+ ERM

Renewal Process

When to Renew

5-Year Certificates:

• Renew within 5 years
• Don’t let them expire
• Plan 3-6 months ahead

Revalidation vs Full Course

Revalidation (Refresher):

• Shorter duration
• Lower cost
• For valid certificate holders
• Typically 1-2 days

Full Course:

• Required if expired
• Original duration
• Full cost

Revalidation Fees

Certificate	Revalidation Fee
BST	₹8,000-12,000
PSCRB	₹8,000-10,000
AFF	₹8,000-10,000
MFA	₹5,000-8,000

DG Approved Institutes

Major Institutes

Institute	Location	Strength
MERI	Mumbai	Full range
TMI	Chennai	Full range
Anglo-Eastern	Mumbai	Good equipment
SIMS	Lonavala	Modern facilities
LBS	Mumbai	Affordable
IMI	Noida	North India access

Choosing Institute

Consider:

• DG Shipping approval
• Facilities quality
• Location convenience
• Course scheduling
• Fees

Cost Planning

New Seafarer (Complete Package)

Certificate	Cost (₹)
BST Package	15,000-25,000
PSCRB	12,000-18,000
GMDSS (Deck)	25,000-40,000
Total Basic	50,000-85,000

Senior Officer (Additional)

Certificate	Cost (₹)
AFF	12,000-18,000
MFA	8,000-12,000
Tanker Training	25,000-50,000
ECDIS/ARPA	25,000-40,000

5-Year Renewal Budget

Item	Cost (₹)
All revalidations	40,000-60,000
Per year budget	8,000-12,000

Key Takeaways

1. BST is foundation - Get it during pre-sea
2. Plan ahead - Don’t wait until expiry
3. Budget for renewals - Set aside ₹10K/year
4. Choose approved institutes - Check DG list
5. Keep certificates safe - Physical and digital copies
6. Track validity - Maintain a calendar

STCW certificates are non-negotiable. Plan, budget, and keep them current.

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Questions about STCW? Chat with SailorGPT - Get guidance on which certificates you need, best institutes, and renewal timing.