Venture Blog

The essential guide to STCW 95: Your ticket to working at sea

Thinking about working aboard a luxury yacht? Well, before you set sail, there’s one important certification you’ll need to secure: STCW 95. What exactly is it?, Why do you need it, and how do you get it? Let’s break it all down.

What is STCW 95?

STCW 95 stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. It’s an internationally recognized set of safety standards that ensures everyone working at sea is properly trained and certified. Established in 1978 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), these regulations were updated in 1995, hence the name STCW 95 (and then further amended in 2010, but we'll get to that later).

The core idea of STCW 95 is simple: whether you're a deckhand, stewardess, or captain, you need to know how to respond in emergencies and perform basic safety tasks. In short, STCW 95 training is about making sure you and everyone else on board are equipped to handle the potential hazards of life at sea, from fires to man-overboard situations.

Why do you need a STCW 95?

Think of STCW 95 as your professional foundation—without it, you're not legally allowed to work on commercial vessels, including luxury yachts. The safety of crew members and passengers is paramount on any vessel, and employers want to be sure that their crew are well-prepared to deal with emergencies.

Yacht crew positions, in particular, require you to be STCW certified as part of international maritime regulations. If you’re aiming to work on a boat over 24 meters long, it’s non-negotiable requirement. Without STCW 95 certification, you won’t even get your foot in the door for that coveted crew job.

What does STCW 95 Cover?

The STCW 95 certification consists of Basic Safety Training (BST) course, which is typically broken down into five key modules:

Personal Survival Techniques (PST)

This module teaches you how to survive in the event of a maritime emergency. You'll learn how to use lifejackets, lifeboats, and life rafts. You will practice survival techniques in a pool to simulate real-life conditions.

Fire Prevention and Firefighting

As you might have guessed, this section deals with preventing and combating fires on board. You'll learn how to use firefighting equipment, deal with different types of fires, and escape safely from smoke-filled areas.

Elementary First Aid

Just like on land, accidents can happen at sea. This module will teach you basic first aid skills, such as CPR, how to treat wounds, and how to handle common injuries and illnesses until professional medical help is available.

Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

Life on board a ship requires teamwork and discipline. In this module, you'll learn about safety protocols, communication, and how to behave responsibly in a confined environment with other crew members.

Proficiency in Security Awareness

With increasing maritime security concerns, this module focuses on identifying and responding to potential threats, such as piracy or terrorism, while also maintaining overall ship security.

By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and others in dangerous situations.

STCW 95 vs STCW 2010

You may have heard about STCW 2010, or the Manila Amendments, and you might be wondering how it differs from STCW 95. Essentially, STCW 2010 is an updated version of STCW 95, introduced to address newer safety and security concerns in the maritime industry.

If you're already STCW 95-certified, you don’t need to take the entire course again, but you will need to complete refresher training. Under the STCW 2010 amendments, anyone who completed their STCW certification before 2010 is required to take this refresher course every five years to stay compliant and ensure skills are up to date.

Who needs to take the STCW 95 course?

If you plan to work on any commercial vessel—be it a superyacht, cruise ship, or merchant ship—you need STCW 95 certification. This applies to deckhands, interior crew, chefs, engineers, officers, and captains alike. Even if your role doesn’t directly involve safety operations, (like working in the galley or handling guest services), you are still responsible for responding in an emergency. That’s why STCW 95 certification is universal across all crew roles.

How to get your STCW 95 certification.

Enrolling in an STCW 95 course is relatively simple. Many maritime training schools around the world offer Basic Safety Training (BST) course. Courses are often available in popular yachting hubs, such as the UK, USA, France, and Spain, among others.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Find an approved training center.

Make sure the center is recognized by the relevant maritime authority (like the MCA or USCG).

2. Book your course.

The full STCW 95 course usually takes about 5 days to complete. The cost varies depending on where you take it, but expect to pay between £700 and £1,200 (or $900 to $1,500) for the full course.

3. Complete the training.

Once you have successfully completed the five modules. You will be issued your STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, which will allow you to start applying for crew jobs!

How long does STCW 95 last?

Once you have your STCW 95 certification, you’re good to go for five years. However, after that, you’ll need to take a refresher course to maintain your certification. Refresher training typically focuses on Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention, and it’s designed to keep your skills sharp and up to date.

What to expect from an STCW Course.

The STCW 95 course is hands-on, practical, and sometimes pretty intense (especially the fire-fighting drills!). Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in full firefighting gear, tackling simulated fires, or jumping into a pool from a height to practice survival techniques. It’s all part of ensuring that you’re well-prepared for the unpredictable nature of working at sea.

But don't worry—it’s not all stress and high stakes. The instructors are typically seasoned professionals with years of maritime experience, and the course is designed to be engaging, informative, and even fun at times.

What happens if you don’t have a STCW 95?

Simply put, if you don’t have your STCW 95 certification, you won’t be allowed to work on most yachts. This as a minimum qualification for all crew members. Even if you land a job, you’ll need to present your STCW 95 certificate before you can step aboard.

Ready to launch your Maritime career?

Getting your STCW 95 certification is the first step toward making your maritime career a reality. Whether you’re starting out as a deckhand or aspiring to become a superyacht captain, having this essential training under your belt ensures you’re ready for life at sea—and for anything the ocean throws your way.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your course, get certified, and start your career on the high seas!