A fire at sea is the emergency crew fear most — there’s no fire brigade coming. Advanced Fire Fighting trains the people who take charge when it happens.
Who needs it
Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW A-VI/3) is required for crew designated to control fire-fighting operations onboard — typically officers and senior deck crew. It goes well beyond the basic fire module in STCW Basic Safety Training, which teaches you to fight a fire; this course teaches you to direct others doing it.
What the training involves
Expect a mix of theory and demanding practical work on a real fire ground:
- Organising and commanding fire parties
- Fire-fighting tactics and strategy aboard a vessel
- Breathing apparatus control and search techniques
- Investigating and reporting incidents
- Managing casualties and communications under pressure
The practical sessions are physically real — heat, smoke, live fire — because that’s the only way to build genuine command confidence.
Don’t forget revalidation
Like the other perishable STCW elements, Advanced Fire Fighting must be revalidated every five years. Many senior crew let it slip because they’re focused on their command tickets — then find themselves non-compliant.
The person directing the fire party can’t be the one whose certificate lapsed.
Book your Advanced Fire Fighting course — and ask about combining it with your other advanced revalidations to save a trip.