Revision: Security Awareness Training — STCW Table A-VI/6-1 (Mandatory for Every Seafarer)

Revision card — STCW Code Section A-VI/6, Table A-VI/6-1, Security Awareness. Often overlooked in favour of the four Basic Safety Training modules, but it is equally mandatory — every seafarer employed or engaged in any capacity on a ship required to comply with the ISPS Code must hold this before being assigned any shipboard duties. It's short, it's cheap relative to the other STCW courses, and it's very commonly checked at Port State Control alongside the standard BST four.

Why This Is Near-Universal, Not Niche

Unlike Advanced Fire Fighting or PSCRB, which depend on your specific role and responsibilities, Security Awareness applies to essentially everyone on an ISPS-regulated vessel — deck, engine, catering, hotel/interior crew alike. It sits below Designated Security Duties (Table A-VI/6-2), which is a separate, more senior certificate only required for crew with specific security responsibilities under the Ship Security Plan (SSP) — don't conflate the two in an oral or assessment; Security Awareness is the baseline everyone needs, DSD is additional and role-specific.

Core Competence Areas

• Maintain security awareness — recognising security threats, unauthorised weapons, and dangerous devices/substances
• Recognise security-related characteristics and behavioural patterns of persons who may pose a threat to security
• Understand techniques used to circumvent security measures — enough to spot when something doesn't add up, not to become a security specialist
• Contribute to enhancing security awareness onboard — everyday vigilance, not a formal watchkeeping duty
• Report a security incident, including a piracy or armed robbery threat or attack
• Know the procedures to follow when you recognise a security threat
• Take part in security-related emergency and contingency procedures — musters, drills, and your own role in them