STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) A-VI/5 – 2026 Enhanced Edition – Panama Approved

Develop the knowledge, leadership and operational awareness required to manage and support shipboard security in accordance with international maritime security requirements.

Marine Pro Academy’s STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) A-VI/5 – 2026 Enhanced Edition is designed for seafarers appointed, or preparing to be appointed, as Ship Security Officers.

The programme is aligned with STCW Regulation VI/5, Section A-VI/5 and Table A-VI/5, together with SOLAS Chapter XI-2, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and IMO Model Course 3.19.

This Panama Approved / Whitelisted STCW Ship Security Officer course develops the knowledge required to implement, maintain and monitor shipboard security arrangements, coordinate with relevant security stakeholders and support an effective security culture onboard.

The programme focuses on practical SSO judgment, leadership, communication and security management without exposing confidential Ship Security Plan information or vessel-specific security vulnerabilities.

2026 Enhanced Edition

The programme incorporates current maritime-security developments while maintaining the established STCW A-VI/5 Ship Security Officer competence framework.

The 2026 Enhanced Edition includes updated awareness of:

contemporary maritime security threats
piracy and armed robbery
stowaway prevention and response
cyber-enabled shipboard security risks
security-sensitive information
security-system resilience
incident documentation and evidence preservation
modern security communication and reporting
corrective-action management
evolving maritime digitalization and cybersecurity considerations

These developments enhance the contemporary relevance of the programme without replacing or changing the established STCW A-VI/5 competence standard.

What You Will Learn

The programme develops professional Ship Security Officer knowledge and awareness across areas including:

the international maritime security framework
Ship Security Officer duties and responsibilities
relationships between the Master, SSO, CSO and PFSO
Ship Security Assessment principles
implementation and maintenance of the Ship Security Plan
Security Levels 1, 2 and 3
Declaration of Security
ship/port and ship-to-ship security coordination
security inspections and monitoring
deficiencies and non-conformities
corrective actions and verification of closure
access control and restricted-area security
cargo and ship-stores security
security searches and screening
suspicious activity and threat recognition
security incident response
piracy and armed-robbery awareness
stowaway prevention and reporting
security equipment and monitoring systems
Ship Security Alert System awareness
maritime cyber-risk management
security communication and confidentiality
drills and exercises
security records and continuous security readiness

The course emphasizes objective, non-discriminatory threat recognition, professional security leadership and the importance of following approved vessel and company procedures.

Practical Shipboard Security Leadership

The Ship Security Officer plays a central role in maintaining the effectiveness of shipboard security measures.

Effective ship security requires more than knowing the ISPS Code. The SSO must be able to understand changing security conditions, identify deficiencies, coordinate with key stakeholders and ensure that corrective action is properly implemented and verified.

The programme therefore develops awareness of how to:

evaluate shipboard security conditions
support and review security arrangements
identify vulnerabilities and control weaknesses
implement appropriate security measures
coordinate security activities with ship and shore personnel
maintain access and restricted-area controls
monitor cargo and stores security
manage security-related information
recognize developing threats
respond appropriately to security incidents
maintain accurate records
evaluate security drills and exercises
support continuous improvement of onboard security

The emphasis throughout is on leadership, verification, coordination, communication and disciplined security management.

Modern Maritime E-Learning

Training is delivered through the Marine Pro Academy Learning Hub, providing a modern and interactive maritime learning experience.

Learners benefit from:

professionally structured digital lessons
realistic shipboard security scenarios
professional maritime-security visuals
practical decision-based activities
module knowledge checks
integrated course review
mobile, tablet and desktop access
learner progress tracking
self-paced online study
comprehensive final assessment
integrated AI Ship Security Officer Advisor support

The AI Tutor can support learners by explaining SSO responsibilities, security assessments, ISPS requirements, security incidents, cyber-risk concepts and realistic shipboard scenarios in clear maritime language.

The AI Tutor is a learning-support feature and does not replace the vessel’s approved Ship Security Plan, company procedures, flag-State requirements, the Master’s authority or instructions from authorized security personnel.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is suitable for:

seafarers appointed as Ship Security Officers
officers preparing for SSO responsibilities
deck officers
senior shipboard personnel
merchant-vessel officers
cruise ship officers
offshore maritime personnel
maritime security personnel
other seafarers requiring STCW Ship Security Officer A-VI/5 training

Course Information

Approval: Panama
Certification: Panama Approved / Whitelisted STCW Ship Security Officer Certificate
Standard: STCW Regulation VI/5, Section A-VI/5 and Table A-VI/5
IMO Model Course: 3.19 – Ship Security Officer
Edition: 2026 Enhanced Edition
Delivery: 100% Online & Self-Paced
Learning Platform: Marine Pro Academy Interactive LMS
Course Duration: Approximately 16 Hours
Assessment: Knowledge Checks + Final Assessment
Final Assessment: 25 Questions
Pass Mark: 80%
Assessment Attempts: Unlimited
Access: Desktop, Laptop, Tablet & Mobile

Seaman Book one years stamped and Certificate of competency will be requested for certificate issuance.

Assessment

The programme includes structured knowledge checks throughout the training, followed by a comprehensive final assessment.

Final Assessment: 25 Questions
Pass Mark: 80%
Assessment Attempts: Unlimited

Assessment focuses on understanding and applying Ship Security Officer responsibilities, international maritime-security principles and appropriate shipboard security decision-making.

Panama Approved Certificate

Upon successful completion of the required training and final assessment, and following verification of learner information, the applicable:

Panama Approved / Whitelisted STCW Ship Security Officer Certificate

will be issued.

Learners should ensure that all personal details provided during enrolment are accurate and complete, as this information may be used for certification purposes.

Why Choose Marine Pro Academy?

Marine Pro Academy combines professional maritime-security training with realistic shipboard examples, modern e-learning technology and AI-supported learning.

The programme focuses not only on understanding international security requirements, but also on how assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and corrective action work together to maintain effective shipboard security.

ASSESS → PLAN → IMPLEMENT → MONITOR → REPORT → RESPOND → CORRECT → IMPROVE

Important Information

Training and certification requirements may depend on the learner’s:

Flag State
employer
vessel type
rank
assigned security duties
intended position
competent authority requirements

Learners should confirm any employer- or Administration-specific requirements before purchasing or enrolling.

Where vessel-specific procedures apply, learners must always follow the vessel’s current Ship Security Plan, company security procedures, current Security Level, Master’s instructions and applicable Administration requirements.

Confidential Ship Security Plan information, access arrangements, security-system details and other sensitive security information must only be handled in accordance with authorized procedures.

Certificate Processing Time

STCW and flag-state-approved certificates can take up to 48 hours after successful course completion and receipt of all required documents, depending on the relevant issuing authority’s verification and approval process. Time zones and local office working hours may affect processing and response times. Please complete your training at least a couple of days before your submission or deployment deadline. Same-day issuance cannot be guaranteed.

TCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) Panama Approved

STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) – Panama Approved