It’s a question we get every week: do I need the full STCW course, or just the refresher? The answer comes down to one thing — whether you’ve done it before.
You need the Initial course if…
- You are new to the industry and have never held an STCW certificate
- You are entering commercial yachting for the first time
- You’ve never completed the five basic safety modules
The STCW Basic Safety Training runs over five days and covers all five modules from scratch. It’s your entry ticket.
You need the Refresher if…
- You already hold an STCW certificate
- Your last training was approaching or over five years ago
- You need to revalidate the practical modules (survival + fire fighting) to stay compliant
The STCW Refresher is far shorter — around a day and a half — because it reassesses skills you already have rather than teaching them from zero.
Quick decision guide
| Your situation | Course |
|---|---|
| First time in yachting | Initial (5 days) |
| Certificate over 5 years old | Refresher (1.5 days) |
| Certificate lost/expired long ago | Ask us — often Refresher suffices |
Not sure which applies to you? Send us your certificate dates and we’ll tell you exactly what you need — no upsell, just the honest answer.