Rynda Crewing

Seafarer documentsSafety and security

Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)

  • STCW VI/1
  • Full entry
  • Checked 6 October 2026
Document type
Training certificate
Validity
As issued; competence shown every 5 years
Names in other countries
21 countries
Contents7

1 What it covers

Basic Safety Training (STCW VI/1) covers four foundations of shipboard safety: survival, fire prevention and fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities. It is needed by crew assigned safety or pollution-prevention duties within the STCW framework. Validity: as issued; competence shown every 5 years.1–4

2 What it consists of

Each part is listed in the reference as a separate type: some countries certify parts separately.5

3 Validity and renewal

Document validity. The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates.

Maintaining competence. Every 5 years the seafarer provides evidence of competence for parts A-VI/1-1, A-VI/1-2. Parts A-VI/1-3, A-VI/1-4 have no international interval.4

4 Which positions

The need follows from the ship and the duties on board, not from the title of the position. In this reference the document appears in the requirements of these positions:

Show all 69
If you hold one of these certificates

The standard of this training is part of the requirements for the certificates below, so their holders may not have a separate certificate for it. Whether a separate document is needed for a voyage is decided by the flag State and the employer.6–15

Show all 14 certificates

5 Names in 21 countries

How national systems name this document. The original name is given where the source has it; the English name is our editorial rendering.

Same document

CountryName in the issuing country
South AfricaBasic trainingIssued by: South African Maritime Safety Authority · source
NigeriaCertificate of proficiency in basic training (basic mandatories)Basic STCWIssued by: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency · source
PeruCertificado de Formación BásicaBasic Training CertificateIssued by: Dirección General de Capitanías y Guardacostas · source
PhilippinesCertificate of Proficiency – Basic TrainingIssued by: Maritime Industry Authority · source
GermanyBefähigungsnachweis über eine Sicherheitsgrundausbildung SGABasic safety trainingIssued by: BSH · source

Related document

CountryName in the issuing country
EstoniaOhutusalane tunnistusBasic Safety Training CertificateIssued by: Transpordiamet · source
Show all 21 countries

Same document

CountryName in the issuing country
NetherlandsBekwaamheidsbewijs basisveiligheidBasic safety trainingIssued by: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat / Kiwa Register · source
PortugalCertificado de segurança básicaBasic safety trainingIssued by: DGRM · source
GhanaBasicIssued by: Ghana Maritime Authority · source
NorwayBasic safety trainingIssued by: Norwegian Maritime Authority / Sjøfartsdirektoratet · source
Hong KongCertificate of Proficiency in Basic TrainingIssued by: Hong Kong Marine Department · source
United StatesBasic TrainingIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source
SwedenCertifikat för grundläggande säkerhetsutbildningBasic safety trainingIssued by: Transportstyrelsen · source
FinlandHätätilanteiden peruskoulutus Basic TrainingBasic TrainingIssued by: Traficom · source
CanadaSTCW Basic SafetyIssued by: Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security · source
AustraliaCertificate of Safety TrainingIssued by: Australian Maritime Safety Authority · source
New ZealandSTCW basic trainingIssued by: Maritime New Zealand · source
Cook IslandsBasic Training Safety CertificateIssued by: Maritime Cook Islands · source
EcuadorCapacitación Básica OMIBasic Safety TrainingIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source
Sloveniaosnovna usposobljenost za delo na ladjiBasic Training for Work on ShipsIssued by: Uprava Republike Slovenije za pomorstvo · source
UruguayFormación BásicaBasic Safety TrainingIssued by: Prefectura Nacional Naval, Dirección Registral y de Marina Mercante (DIRME) · source

"Related document" is a national document of its own system that relates to this type but is not automatically equal to it.

Same code STCW VI/1: one code is not always one document. The certificate itself and the limitations written in it show which one you hold. Other types under this code: Elementary First AidFire Prevention and Fire FightingUpdating Training in Fire Prevention and Fire FightingPersonal Safety and Social ResponsibilitiesPersonal Survival TechniquesUpdating Training in Personal Survival Techniques1

7 Frequently asked questions

Who needs Basic Safety Training?

Crew assigned safety or pollution-prevention duties within the STCW framework. In this reference it appears in the requirements of 69 positions; whether you need it depends on the ship and your duties.1–3

How long is Basic Safety Training valid?

The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates. Every 5 years the seafarer provides evidence of competence for parts A-VI/1-1, A-VI/1-2. Parts A-VI/1-3, A-VI/1-4 have no international interval.4

What else is Basic Safety Training called?

Also known as BST. National names in 21 countries are listed on this page.

STCW Basic Safety Training (BST): Validity, Refresher | Rynda Crewing