Section A-VI/2 of STCW (paragraph 5) states that ‘Seafarers qualified in accordance with paragraph 4 in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats shall be required, every five years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standard of competence, to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A VI/2-1.’
The learner is able to maintain the required standard of competence in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats)
1. Identify the dangers associated with the use of off-load and on-load release devices,including:
i. The difference between ‘off-load’ and ‘on-load’ release equipment;
ii. The importance of ensuring lifeboat is water-borne before release from falls;
iii. Identification and explanation of hydrostatic interlocks used in on-load release systems and their correct operation.
2. Demonstrate the correct operation of off-load and on-load release devices, including the correct resetting of both types of release device.
3. Identify and explain the correct operation of Fall Prevention/Secondary Safety Devices or their equivalent.
4. Safely operate a survival craft engine, including:
i. Pre-start preparations and checks;
ii. Start, stop and safely operate survival craft engine;
iii. Cold starting procedures;
iv. Basic fault finding or possible problems if the engine fails to start.
5. Safely take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launch including
i. Interpret and explain the markings on survival craft as to the number of persons they are
intended to carry;
ii. Give the correct commands for launching and boarding survival craft, clearing the ship and handling and disembarking persons from survival craft;
iii. Prepare and safely launch survival craft and clear the ship’s side quickly;
iv. Safely recover survival craft and rescue boats.
6. Safely manage survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship including:
i. Operate a survival craft using oars and power and steer the craft on a compass course;
ii. Use individual items of equipment of survival crafts.
7. Rig and use locating devices including communication and signalling apparatus and pyrotechnics:
i. Radio life-saving appliances, including EPIRBs, hand held radios (including those
equipped with air band frequencies where appropriate) and radar transponders (SARTs)
Use and choice of communication equipment should be appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions;
ii. Identify how best to use survival craft location aids, including pyrotechnic distress signals
and radar reflectors.
8. Apply first aid to survivors, including:
i. Describe the use of items in the first aid kit;
ii. Demonstrate resuscitation techniques.
9. Describe the management of injured persons, including:
i. Dealing with injured persons in a survival craft during and after abandonment, covering
casualty handling and management of conditions such as control of bleeding and shock;
ii. Drowning and dealing with prevention, effects and treatment of hypothermia;
iii. Personal protection, and demonstration of immersion suits and thermal protective aids;
iv. Cold weather injuries, covering frostbite, immersion foot;
v. Warm weather injuries, covering sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke;
vi. Effects of seasickness and dehydration.
Prerequisites: Updating training is to be undertaken, in line with the above regulations, by seafarers holding a proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) certificate, or equivalent*, and who have maintained the required standard of competence, by onboard training and experience, for all competencies listed in the self-declaration form.
*Equivalent certification includes ‘Proficiency in Survival Craft’ and the ‘MNTB Life Boat Certificate’.
Duration: 7 Hours
Cost: £200 (Please note all prices include vat @20%)
Location: South West Maritime Academy, Cromhall Quarry, Cromhall, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8AA
Certification: Certificate of Updated Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats
There is a wide range of local accommodation, some of which are within walking distance of the training centre to suit everyone’s budget.
