USCG-Approved STCW Basic Training in Seattle
NPFVOA’s STCW Basic Training is the comprehensive 5-day, Coast Guard-approved course required for mariners seeking their first STCW endorsement on a Merchant Mariner Credential. This foundational maritime safety certification is mandatory for all crew members with safety or emergency duties on vessels of 200 gross tons or greater operating beyond U.S. territorial waters.
Held at Seattle Fishermen’s Terminal with hands-on training at partner facilities, this 40-hour course covers all four essential elements of STCW Basic Training, preparing you for safe operations aboard merchant vessels, research vessels, small passenger vessels, and more.
Who should take this course: New mariners seeking initial STCW certification, or mariners whose STCW Basic Training endorsement has expired.
USCG-approved for: 46 CFR Parts 10, 12, 15, and tables A-VI/1-1 through A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code
After completing this course, you’ll need to renew your certification every 5 years with our STCW Basic Training Refresher course. Many commercial fishing vessel crew members also benefit from our Drill Instructor Training and STCW Medical Care Provider courses.
Who Needs STCW Basic Training?
You must complete STCW Basic Training if you:
✓ Are applying for your first Merchant Mariner Credential with STCW endorsements
✓ Work on vessels 200 GT or larger operating beyond the boundary line
✓ Have safety or emergency duties aboard STCW-required vessels
✓ Are entering the maritime industry as a professional mariner
✓ Need to renew an expired STCW Basic Training endorsement
Already certified and need to renew? If your STCW endorsement is still valid and you’re renewing your MMC, you may qualify for our shorter renewal courses:
- STCW Basic Training Revalidation (2 days) – For active mariners with 360+ days sea service
- STCW Basic Training Refresher (3 days) – For mariners with less than 360 days sea service
Contact us to determine which course is right for your situation.
What’s Covered in the 5-Day STCW Basic Training Course
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (4 hrs)
- Complying with Emergency Procedures
- Taking precautions to Prevent Pollution of the Marine Environment
- Observing Safe Working Practices
- Understanding orders and Being Understood in Relation to Shipboard Duties
- Contributing to Effective Human Relationships on Board Ship
- Fatigue and its effects on your body and mind
Personal Survival Techniques (12 hours)
- Principles of Survival at Sea
- Preparing for Emergency Situations
- Lifesaving Equipment
- Evacuation
- Helicopter Assistance
- Distress Signals
- Emergency Radio Equipment
Medical Emergencies at Sea (8 hours)
- Scene Assessment
- Bloodborne Pathogens/Infectious Diseases
- Patient Assessment at Sea
- Vital signs
- Shock
- Life Threatening Conditions
- Toxic Environment
- Hypothermia
- Medevac
- Practical Exercises
Basic Fire Fighting (16 hours, 2 days)
First Day (8 hours at NPFVOA facility):
- Theory of Fire
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Detection
- Firefighting Equipment
- Ship Firefighting Organization
- Ship Firefighting Strategy and Tactics
- Hands-on Field Exercises
Second Day (8 hours at local fire simulator):
- Field Exercises: Pump fire with dry chemical and water; car prop with carbon dioxide; trough fire with foam extinguisher.
- Burn Building Exercises: Maze with self-contained breathing apparatus; hotel search and rescue with SCBA; class A fire with all-purpose nozzle and applicator; class B fire with all-purpose nozzle and applicator.
Training Location & Course Details
Where: STCW Basic Training takes place at multiple Seattle-area locations:
- Days 1-4: NPFVOA facility at Seattle Fishermen’s Terminal
- Pool training: Partner facility in the Seattle area
- Day 5 firefighting: Local fire simulator facility
Duration: 5 full days (40 hours total)
Schedule: Classes typically run 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Accessible from: Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Edmonds, Bremerton, Port Angeles, Juneau, and throughout Puget Sound and Alaska
What you’ll need: Upon registration, we’ll provide a complete list of required documentation and any materials you should bring to class. Contact us with questions about course requirements.
Upon Course Completion
Successfully completing STCW Basic Training qualifies you to apply for STCW endorsements on your Merchant Mariner Credential. You’ll receive a course completion certificate that satisfies Coast Guard requirements for all four elements:
- Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (Table A-VI/1-4)
- Personal Survival Techniques (Table A-VI/1-1)
- Elementary First Aid (Table A-VI/1-3)
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (Table A-VI/1-2)
Your STCW Basic Training endorsement is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before your MMC expiration.
All courses are Coast Guard-approved and held at Seattle Fishermen’s Terminal.
Save with NPFVOA membership! Members save $50 on this course. Learn about membership benefits.
