Description

The STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) course provides essential training for seafarers who require the knowledge and awareness needed to work safely, responsibly and professionally onboard ships.

PSSR forms part of the STCW Basic Safety Training framework and develops important competencies relating to personal safety, emergency preparedness, safe working practices, environmental responsibility, communication, teamwork and professional behaviour at sea.

The programme is aligned with STCW Code Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-4 and incorporates the requirements applicable from 1 January 2026.

Updated for the 2026 STCW Requirements

The course incorporates the mandatory competence introduced through IMO Resolution MSC.560(108) concerning the prevention of and response to violence and harassment in the maritime sector.

The updated training develops awareness relating to:

• violence and harassment
• sexual harassment
• bullying
• sexual assault
• harmful or inappropriate conduct
• prevention and early intervention
• reporting and escalation
• bystander responsibilities
• respectful professional conduct
• basic trauma-informed support principles

The aim is to help learners recognise inappropriate conduct, understand appropriate response principles and use the vessel’s established reporting, escalation and support arrangements when required.

What the Course Covers

The programme provides broad coverage of the principal knowledge and competence areas associated with STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, including:

• personal safety and shipboard responsibilities
• familiarisation and emergency preparedness
• safe working practices and risk awareness
• marine environmental responsibility
• effective communication onboard
• teamwork and professional relationships
• seafarer rights and responsibilities
• professional conduct and wellbeing
• fatigue and fitness-for-duty awareness
• prevention of and response to violence and harassment
• respectful behaviour in the maritime workplace
• reporting and escalation procedures

Learners work through practical maritime examples and decision-making activities designed to support the safe application of PSSR principles onboard.

Modern & Interactive Learning Experience

Marine Pro Academy delivers the programme through a modern interactive digital learning platform designed to make maritime training practical, accessible and engaging.

Learners benefit from:

• professionally designed digital lessons
• maritime visuals and infographics
• practical onboard examples
• interactive scenarios
• knowledge checks
• practical learning activities
• AI Tutor assistance
• self-paced online study
• mobile, tablet and desktop access
• comprehensive online assessment

The learning approach moves beyond passive document-based training by connecting essential STCW knowledge with realistic shipboard situations and decision-making.

Detailed lesson structures, module sequences and internal assessment architecture are not published publicly in order to protect Marine Pro Academy’s proprietary course-development framework.

Practical Maritime Learning

The course is designed around the principle that PSSR is not simply about memorising regulations or procedures.

Learners are encouraged to understand how individual actions and decisions can affect:

• personal safety
• the safety of colleagues
• vessel safety systems
• environmental protection
• communication and teamwork
• professional relationships onboard
• the overall safety culture of the vessel

Where vessel-specific procedures vary, learners are consistently directed to follow the vessel’s current procedures, Safety Management System and company requirements.

Who Is This Course For?

The course is suitable for maritime personnel requiring PSSR training, including:

• cruise ship personnel
• merchant vessel crew
• deck personnel
• engine personnel
• officers
• ratings
• hotel and hospitality personnel working onboard
• superyacht personnel
• new entrants to maritime employment
• existing seafarers requiring PSSR certification or updated training

Course Information

Approval: Belize

Certification: Belize Approved STCW PSSR Certificate

Standard: STCW Code Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-4

2026 Update: IMO Resolution MSC.560(108)

Delivery: 100% Online & Self-Paced

Learning Platform: Marine Pro Academy Interactive LMS

Estimated Duration: 14 Hours

Assessment: Knowledge Checks + Final Assessment

Final Assessment: 28 Questions

Pass Mark: 80%

Attempts: Unlimited

Certificate Validity: 5 Years

Certificate Delivery: Digital Certificate by Email

Device Access: Desktop, Laptop, Tablet & Mobile

Assessment

Learners complete knowledge checks and practical learning activities throughout the programme to reinforce understanding and application of the course material.

The course concludes with a separate 28-question Final Assessment covering the principal PSSR competence areas.

Pass Mark: 80%

Assessment Attempts: Unlimited

Belize Approved Certificate

After successful completion of the required training and final assessment, and once the required learner information has been verified, the applicable Belize Approved STCW PSSR Certificate will be issued.

Certificate Validity: 5 Years

Documents Required

Learners must provide a valid:

• Passport

Submitted documents must be clear, valid and legible.

Important Information

Before enrolling, learners should confirm that the course and resulting certification meet the requirements of their:

• employer
• vessel
• Flag Administration
• manning agency
• other competent authority

Marine Pro Academy provides the training programme and online learning environment. All vessel-specific operational, safety and reporting procedures must continue to be followed onboard.

Why Choose Marine Pro Academy?

Marine Pro Academy combines regulatory-focused maritime training with modern digital learning to create courses that are practical, visual and connected to real shipboard responsibilities.

This updated PSSR programme helps seafarers develop the awareness, professional conduct and safety mindset required to contribute to a safer and more respectful working environment at sea.

SAFE WORKING → RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT → EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION → RESPECT AT SEA

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.