STCW Refresher requirements
In order to ensure safety at sea and continuously maintaining of qualifications, requirements for refresher courses have entered into force.
Basic Safety Training
All seafarers are required to refresh the following qualifications.
- Personal survival techniques - (STCW A-VI/1-1)
- Fire prevention and fire fighting - (STCW A-VI/1-2)
Advanced fire fighting, rescue boats and FRB/FRC
If a seafarer undertakes task onboard within the following areas, these qualifications must be refreshed.
- Advanced fire fighting - (STCW A-VI/3)
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats - (STCW A-VI/2-1)
- Proficiency in fast rescue crafts (FRB/FRC) - (STCW A-VI/2-2)
Certificate of proficiency for refresher courses
Qualifications must be refreshed every 5 years for the required areas and functions.
Courses are to be completed prior to expiry of the previous certificate.
Courses are available by schools approved by the Danish Maritime Authority.
Courses completed in countries on the IMO White List are recognized, given that they are issued in accordance with the STCW requirements.
Refresher requirements for seafarers with certificates of competency
All seafarers required to hold a certificate of competency, are required to refresh Basic Safety Training before applying for a new certificate of competency. Valid certificate of proficiency for completed refresher course in Basic Safety Training and firefighting within the last 5 years, must be documented when applying for certificate of competency.
Course providers approved by the Danish Maritime Authority reports the issued certificate of proficiency to the Danish Maritime Authority, why we will only request the documentation, if the registration of a valid certificate is not available.
Refresher requirements for seafarers without certificate of competency
Seafarers, such as Able and Ordinary ship's assistants, are required to hold separate valid certificate of proficiency for completed refresher course in Basic Safety Training within the last 5 years, along with their valid certificate of proficiency as Able or Ordinary ship's assistant.
New requirements concerning the content of courses in “Personal Safety and Care for Human Life and the Environment” (STCW A-VI/1-4)
New requirements concerning the content of courses in “Personal Safety and Care for Human Life and the Environment” (STCW A-VI/1-4) will take effect from 1 January 2026.
The requirements involves the addition of new competencies for seafarers to better address and handle harassment and violence — including of a sexual nature — at sea.
The purpose of these changes is to create a better and safer working environment on board ships.
In practice, this means that course providers must update their course content so that these new elements and competencies are incorporated.
There are not yet any requirements for refresher courses for everyone, but it is generally considered good practice within the industry that shipping companies continuously ensure and keep their seafarers up to date in their knowledge and training regarding this and other elements that are introduced over time.
In the efforts to improve and ensure a good working environment and well-being for all seafarers, the responsibility lies with employers, even in the absence of a direct requirement for renewed training at this time.