Description

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

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.

Liberia Approved Certificate

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

Liberia Approved 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.