Last updated on July 31st, 2023 at 02:57 pm
Below is all you need to know about STCW course in Kenya, an important training for working seafarers.
Of course, STCW(Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping, in full) helps ensure that you and everyone else you’re working with in the sea is safe and is approved by IMO(International Maritime Organization), as the very basic Safety Training for seafarers.
In fact, STCW course in Kenya is the minimum entry requirement if you wish to go work aboard an ocean-going vessel(the skills help you survive in any other water body including in lakes, if an accident occurs).
More importantly, the skills you get during your STCW basic training might save you (your own life) or a crew-mate or even cruise ship passenger in case something terrible happens in the sea.
Let us look at where you can take the STCW course in Kenya, requirements, fees (cost of STCW course in Kenya), and more.
STCW course in Kenya [All you need to know about STCW in Kenya including STCW course fees in Kenya]
We shall look at the course structure first..
How is the STCW training in Kenya structured? /what are the 5 basic STCW courses?
STCW has 5 modules that you take over a couple of days.
These are:
Module 1: Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting(Basic Fire-fighting)
Module 2: Personal Survival Techniques(PST)
Module 3: First Aid/CPR(Basic First Aid)- Elementary First Aid
Module 4: Personal Safety& Social Responsibility(PSSR)
Module 5: Proficiency in Security A_wareness
So those are the STCW certificates list
STCW course fees in Kenya
The cost- at the time of writing this- is about Kshs.35000 at Kenya Seafarers Training College(Bandari Maritime Academy).
Meanwhile, STCW revalidation cost is Kshs.22000
STCW certificate Kenya requirements
To take stcw mandatory courses, you need to have some training in a maritime related course (preferably)..
Better still, have either a certificate ,diploma, or a degree course in Kenya Maritime Authority(KMA) approved area.
Examples of courses that may be eligible are:
- Craft Certificate in areas such as Nautical Science or Marine Engineering
- Diploma qualification in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering
- Artisan Sea-farers course
- (Bachelor of Science) in Marine Engineering
- (Bachelor of Science) in Nautical Studies
As an alternative, you may be accepted if you have good experience in the sea.
Here they will ask you to attach your CDC (Sea-farers Discharge Record Book plus Certificate) or Seamans book.
Keep in mind that the entry in your CDC need to have been made/created not more than ten years (10 years) from the application date.
Besides, a medical certificate(ENG1 medical certificate) may be needed too since the training is very physical – the medical cert proves you’re physically fit.
Don’t forget that you get the forms to apply for the all important ENG1 Medical Certificate from Kenya Maritime Authority.
Finally, you must understand English very well because it is the language the instructors use.
Where to study STCW Mandatory Course in Kenya
Your best bet is Bandari Maritime Academy.
Google STCW course in Bandari College to get their contacts.
In addition, Indian Ocean Maritime Training Centre offers the course though the fees seem a bit higher (they told me the reason why it is higher is because they put a lot of emphasis on practical skills training).
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Who is the course best for?
This course is for students that are undertaking mandatory STCW ancillary courses needed for service on-board ships.
What next?
Once you get the STCW certificate and your goal is to become an OS(Ordinary Seaman), next you must get the certificate of competence.
Now, this you get after having enough seatime learning slowly from experienced personnel (ABs and Bosuns) essentials such as navigation and watchkeeping.
Afterwards, you can apply for the certification from Bandari or any approved maritime studies school.
I should say that the best approach is to get ship and get experience on topics such as navigation, watch keeping, etc. before you think of taking the STCW course.
That way, getting a job is easier once you get the STCW.
The only issue is that many ships are reluctant to hire you without tangible experience but you must persist because it is the best way.
Otherwise, you can try to work in a ship-yard and gain experience from there- you can build a good relationship with the ship guys here and try your luck with them at some point.
To be clear, you can request to go with them as a learner to the sea- just share with them that you want to accumulate real practical experience out there.