STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR), A-VI/1-4

STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) online course meets the mandatory minimum standards of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities in accordance with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code, Table A-VI/1-4.

The course is designed to prepare new recruits for life on a ship at sea where they will experience a vastly different living and working environment compared to that if they were living and working ashore. Working on a ship can be a hazardous occupation for the uninitiated. This course will give new seafarers an insight into the various elements of a ship and working procedures on board so that they adjust to the shipboard environment and are better prepared to cope with any unforeseen circumstances. To that extent, this course is planned to make their transition from ashore to a sea career as smooth as possible and provide some understanding of a seafarer’s working environment and the hazards, procedures and safe work practices they will encounter, before they actually step on board a ship.

Updated in line with IMO Resolution MSC.560(108) (effective 1 January 2026), including enhanced requirements on safety culture, human element awareness, and the prevention of and response to violence and harassment.

At a glance

• Approval: Palau
• Who is it for: Marine and Non-Marine roles including Officers and Ratings of merchant vessels, Cruise ships crews, Super yacht crews
• Accepted by: All flags that accept IMO white list approved training.
• STCW Compliance: Fully compliant with the requirements of the SCTW Code as amended
• Courses and Assessment: Online only
• Duration: 20h
• Eligibility: Newcomers and Refresh training
• Prerequisites: Passport
• Certificate Validity: Five (5) years

Complete the course at your own time and place, save time and money with asynchronous e-learning. All you need is an internet-enabled device available (desktop/laptop/tablet/smartphone and a couple of days.

No transportation costs • No wasted time • Also available on board • No physical attendance

Competences

1. Comply with emergency procedures.
2. Take precautions to prevent pollution of the marine environment.
3. Observe safe working practices.
4. Contribute to effective communication on board.
5. Contribute to effective human relationships on board ships.
6. Understand and take actions to control fatigue.

Legislation & References:

IMO References

1. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended
2. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974), as amended
3. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as amended
4. IMO Life-Saving Appliances Code (LSA Code)
5. Standard Marine Communication Phrases
6. Human Resources Management for Marine Personnel
7. International Safety Management Code (ISM Code)
8. Guidelines for the Development of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans
9. Guidance on Fatigue mitigation and management (MSC/Circ.1014)

Textbooks

• ILO Code of Practice for Accident Prevention on Board Ship at Sea and in Port
• Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. London, The Stationery Office, Publications Centre
• International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals, ICS/OCIMF/IAPH
• Guidelines on the Application of the International Safety Management Code, International Chamber of Shipping
• Drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs in the maritime industry, International Labour Organization
• Accident Prevention, Olav Bø

Documents required to attend: After purchasing this course you shall receive instructions in order to provide the following documentation:

1. Passport

Documents should be received in PDF/PNG/JPG format. You can either scan or photograph them, please make sure that they are legible.

Kindly note that before you purchase any course it is your responsibility to check if it complies with the flag administration/approval body you require or you want to submit it to. Furthermore, you should check if the course is accepted by your employer as your employer may have specific requirements.