Overview
If you have been working at sea for around five years, your STCW certificates are due a refresh. Under the STCW rules, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting and Personal Survival Techniques must be updated every five years, and you will need current certificates before you can continue working on a commercial vessel.
This four-day course updates both modules at our training centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
You will get back into the practical skills that rarely come up in routine drills, tackling a live fire with breathing apparatus and getting back into a life raft in the pool. By the end you will hold updated MCA-approved certificates, valid for another five years.
We run this course throughout the year, so there is almost always a date to suit when your refresh is due.
Flying Fish has been an MCA-recognised training provider since 1993.
What does the course cover?
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting update (A-VI/1-2)
Personal Survival Techniques update (A-VI/1-1)
For RYA Yachtmasters
If you are working as a skipper on a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean certificate, your First Aid qualification also needs refreshing. STCW Elementary First Aid must be updated every five years. This is a separate one-day course, which you can book alongside your refresher so both are done in the same trip.
MCA Training Centre
Our MCA approved STCW training centre, based in the heart of Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK, provides maritime training using the latest equipment and techniques.
Led by experienced and highly qualified instructors, these modern facilities ensure you gain the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed for a successful career at sea.
STCW Refresher Course Information
You must be 18 years old or older to train with Flying Fish.
You must hold an existing STCW Personal Survival Techniques Certificate and STCW Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting Certificate to attend this STCW Refresher Course.
We will ask for copies of your original certificates on arrival.
Fire Fighting and Personal Survival Techniques are physically demanding and require a good level of fitness. You should hold an ENG1 Medical Certificate or equivalent to prove medical fitness.
For successful completion, 100% attendance is required, and students are expected to participate actively in all course elements.
All safety and firefighting equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring any specialist kit. Transport to and from the training site is included, along with your instruction throughout the four days.
MCA-approved certificates on successful completion.
Self catering twin room
£270 for the full course duration
Almost all our students choose to stay in our premium self-catering accommodation, which is located just a 5-minute walk from both the town and our training centre at Cowes Yacht Haven. From shared meals to relaxing evenings, our houses are the starting point for friendships that often last far beyond your time in Cowes.
The accommodation option will appear after you select a course date here.
⚠️ Date changes for Summer 2026: The following course start dates have moved from Monday to Thursday.
Original start New start End Mon 27 JulThu 30 Jul Sun 2 Aug Mon 10 AugThu 13 Aug Sun 16 Aug Mon 31 AugThu 3 Sep Sun 6 Sep Mon 14 SepThu 17 Sep Sun 20 Sep Mon 21 SepThu 24 Sep Sun 27 Sep
Monday
Course briefing at our training centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight, followed by the start of fire fighting theory.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Fire fighting practical. You will use firefighting equipment, fire extinguishers and breathing apparatus to bring a fire to a safe and controlled state, including a live-fire exercise.
Thursday
A day to yourself, the kind you rarely get on the water. It’s a good chance to catch up on any admin, sort certificates or paperwork, and have a proper rest before the sea survival day.
Friday
One-day Personal Survival Techniques course, including the pool session and life raft.
The course finishes in Cowes around 17:30.
How often do I need to refresh my STCW?
Every five years. The five years runs from the date your original certificates were issued, not from when you last worked at sea, so if you have had time out of the industry your certificates will have continued ageing in the background.
Which certificates do I need to bring?
Bring copies of your existing STCW Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting certificates. If you cannot lay your hands on them, get in touch with your original training provider, as they will hold the records.
Do I need to refresh all of my STCW modules?
No. Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, and Proficiency in Security Awareness do not need renewing for most seafarers. The two modules that must be refreshed every five years are Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting and Personal Survival Techniques.
What if my STCW has just expired?
In most cases you can still refresh, even if your certificates are well past five years old. The one thing to check is whether there is an expiry date printed on the certificate itself. If there is, and it has passed, you may need to complete the full STCW course again rather than the refresher. If you are not sure, give us a call with your certificates to hand and we will tell you which course you need before you book.
Can I refresh my Elementary First Aid at the same time?
Yes. The Elementary First Aid refresh is a separate one-day course you can book alongside this one, which is the easiest way to get everything done in a single trip to Cowes. It is worth doing even if you are not strictly required to, as many shipping companies and management firms will not accept a First Aid certificate more than five years old, regardless of what the regulations say.
Do I need to keep my original certificates?
Yes. Your refresher certificate sits alongside your original STCW certificates rather than replacing them, so hold onto both. You will need to show your originals each time you refresh.
STCW course reviews
Book STCW Refresher Course today!
Seafarers must update STCW Fire Fighting and Personal Survival every five years.
4 day(s)
£560
Cowes, Isle of Wight
Still not sure?
From training to career advise we’ll be happy to sit down and give you the guidance you need!
Do you need to refresh STCW Elementary First Aid?
1 day(s)
£140