STCW Maritime Fire Fighting Courses Guide
An understanding of maritime fire fighting practices and techniques is a critical skill to learn in order to enhance your career in many disciplines within the merchant navy.
There are many types of marine fire fighting training available from maritime training providers in the UK and internationally, the most common of which being “Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting”, “Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting” and their respective maritime fire fighting refresher courses.
Below is an overview of what to expect from each maritime fire fighting course, who they are best suited to, the prerequisites necessary to achieve certification and how to book.
STCW Maritime Fire Fighting Courses Index
– Fire Fighting in STCW 4 Part Basic Safety Training
– STCW Fire Fighting
— Prerequisites
— Renewal
— Renewal Prerequisites
– STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
— Prerequisites
— Renewal
— Renewal Prerequisites
– Additional Fire Fighting Related Course Available
– How to Book Maritime Fire Fighting Course
Fire Fighting in STCW 4 Part Basic Safety Training
The STCW 4 Part Basic Safety Training course covers all minimum training standards for masters, officers and watch personnel set forward in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Included in the STCW 4 Part Basic Safety Training course is an element called Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF). FPFF is one of the most in-depth parts of 4 Part Basic Safety Training and typically takes place over 2 ½ days of the courses 5-day duration.
The FPFF training includes a mixture of classroom training as well as practical firefighting and fire protection exercises, drills and techniques. This includes taking part in team exercises inside compartments which have been specially adapted to give course delegates the simulation of what it would be like to be fire fighting on board a ship.
FPFF will provide delegates with an understanding of the risk of fire on board and how to minimise this. As well as learning how to fight and extinguish fires and search for and recover casualties. Delegates also learn how to wear firefighting equipment which includes personal breathing apparatus and the safe use of fire extinguishers.
STCW Fire Fighting – Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
The Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting is the same course taught over 2 ½ days of the STCW 4 Part Basic Safety Training, although it can be undertaken on its own.
The STCW Fire Fighting course includes videos, group discussions, trainer-led presentations, donning of fire safety suits, use of different types of fire extinguishers, hose techniques, search and safe movement techniques, casualty handling, breathing apparatus wears in both smoky and hot environments within the fire training module.
Prerequisites to STCW Fire Fighting
- Basic level of fitness
Renewing and Refreshing STCW Fire Fighting Certification
The STCW requirement for refreshing a Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting is once every 5 years.
Prerequisites to STCW Advanced Fire Fighting Renewal
- Hold a Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fighting Certificate (STCW Reg VI/2) or recognised equivalent pre 31 January 2000 (i.e. MNTB 2 Day Fire Fighting Course).
- Basic level of fitness.
STCW Advanced Fire Fighting – Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting
The aim of the Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting course is to give seafarers the essential education and training to meet the Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements set out in the following:
Table A-VI/3
– Control fire fighting operations aboard ships
– Organise and train fire parties
– Inspect and service fire detection and fire extinguishing systems and equipment
– Investigate and compile reports on incidents involving fire
The course includes videos, group discussions, trainer-led presentations, donning of fire safety suits, use of different types of fire extinguishers, hose techniques, search and safe movement techniques, casualty handling, situation command and control, ship safety considerations, breathing apparatus wears in both smoky and hot environments within the fire training module.
Prerequisites to STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
- Completed a Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Reg VI/1 para 1 & Sec A-VI/1 para 2.1.2) or appropriate training approved by the MCA.
- Basic level of fitness
Renewing and Refreshing STCW Advanced Fire Fighting Certification
In accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, a Certificate of Updated Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting requires refreshing every five years.
Renewing your Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting in accordance with STCW Reg VI/3 para 1 & Sec A-VI/3 is simple. You will need to book a course with your chosen maritime skills training provider. This course will typically be taught over one day.
Prerequisites to STCW Advanced Fire Fighting Renewal
- Hold a Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting Certificate (STCW Reg VI/3 para 1 & Sec A-VI/3) or recognised equivalent pre 31 January 2000 (i.e. MNTB 4 Day Fire Fighting Course).
- Show evidence of the updating training in Proficiency in Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting as per MSN1865.
- Basic level of fitness
Additional Fire Fighting Courses Available
Entry into Enclosed Spaces
Fire Team Training
Fire Team Leader
Initial Breathing Apparatus
Breathing Apparatus (Refresher)
Fire Extinguisher Training
Fire Marshal/Warden Course
How to Book a Maritime Fire Fighting Course
Online
Here at the Maritime Skills Academy, we’ve created an industry-leading online course booking portal. This booking portal makes you ever to view and book available enrolment dates as well as download and fill in any necessary course forms and paperwork.
To book your maritime fire fighting course online, browse your course from the link below, select the start date you would like to enrol for and checkout online.
We can also assist with your accommodation and travel arrangements after checkout.
By Phone
Call our inhouse team on +44(0)300 303 8393