The Essential STCW Certificate: Your Ticket to a Yachting Career

STCW certification is mandatory for working on commercial yachts. Learn what it covers, where to get it, and how much it costs.

What is STCW?

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. It's an international maritime convention that sets minimum training standards for seafarers. Without it, you cannot legally work on any commercial vessel over 24 metres.

What Does the Course Cover?

The STCW Basic Safety Training consists of four modules:

• Personal Survival Techniques (PST) — Sea survival, life rafts, immersion suits
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting — Using extinguishers, breathing apparatus, ship fires
• Elementary First Aid — CPR, bleeding control, emergency response
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities — Shipboard safety, environmental protection

How Long Does It Take?

The basic STCW course takes 5-7 days, depending on the training centre. Some centres offer intensive formats.

Where to Get Certified

Popular training centres include:

• Antibes: Bluewater Training, Maritime Skills Academy
• Palma: IYT, Palma Maritime Training
• Fort Lauderdale: Maritime Professional Training (MPT)
• UK: UKSA, Warsash Maritime Academy

Cost

Expect to pay €800-1,500 depending on location and whether accommodation is included.