Security training is required for all seafarers employed or engaged on seagoing ships to which the
provisions of the ISPS Code apply. The training must be completed prior the seafarers being assigned
shipboard duties. Following the Manila Amendments, security training should be received by seafarers
designated to perform security duties as well as by seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on
board a ship that the ISPS Code applies.
Security-related familiarization training
The security-related familiarization training should be received by all persons employed on a seagoing
ship to which the ISPS Code applies and provide guidance for seafarers to at least be able to:
 report a security incident, including a piracy or armed robbery threat or attack;
 know the procedures to follow when they recognize a security threat; and
 take part in security-related emergency and contingency procedures.
Documentary evidence must be kept to demonstrate that this training has been completed. Existing
methods of recording the safety familiarization training may be used to document the completion of the
security-related familiarization training.
Who can carry out the security-related familiarization training?
As per the STCW Code Section A-VI/6 paragraph 3, the person delivering the training should be the
Ship Security Officer or an equally qualified person. The owners and/or managers should contact the
flag Administration the ship is flying to confirm that any person holding a Ship Security Officer
certificate is regarded as an equally qualified person for the purposes of delivering this training.
How to implement on board the security-related familiarization training Owners and/or managers may employ any of the two methods outlined below for this training onboard:
 Amend the Ship Security Plan at the section of training, drills and exercises (as per ISPS Code
Section 9.4) in order to include the requirements of this training course; or
 Include this training into the safety management system of the ship.
In case owners and/or managers carry out amendments to the applicable section of the Ship Security
Plan then these should follow the requirements in Section A-VI/6 of the STCW Code. In this case the
training is accepted as an approved training course on the basis that the Ship Security Plan is approved
with the required elements included.
If the ship security plan does not make a clear reference to security familiarization training for all
seafarers on board meeting the STCW requirements (as outlined above), then owners and/or managers
should carry out necessary amendments and submit the Ship Security Plan to DBS Head Office for reapproval.
On the other hand, if the security training is part of the ship’s existing Safety Management System
(SMS) then, since the SMS is not approved, the Ship Security Plan should be amended to include the
security-related familiarization training and submitted to DBS Head Office for review and approval.
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Security awareness training
In addition to the above training, security awareness training must be carried out by all seafarers
without designated security duties employed or engaged in any capacity on ships which the provisions
of the ISPS Code apply. Upon successful completion of the security awareness training, an STCW
Certificate of Proficiency should be issued meeting the requirements of Section AVI/6, paragraph 4, of
the STCW Code and the seafarer will at least be able to:
 contribute to the enhancement of maritime security through heightened awareness;
 recognize security threats; and
 understand the need for, and methods of, maintaining security awareness and vigilance.
This training should generally be part of a shore based course which is approved and the seafarers
without designated security duties on board must complete the security awareness training at least one
time in their career.
Transitional provisions:
As per the STCW Code Section A-VI/6, paragraph 5 until January 1, 2014, seafarers who have started
service prior to the date of entry of the requirement can satisfy this security awareness training by
demonstrating:
 approved seagoing service for at least 6 months in the previous three years; or
 having performed security functions considered equivalent to 6 months service in the past
three years, or
 by passing an approved test, or
 by completing approved training.
Since this transition period will end on January 1, 2014 owners and/or managers should ensure that all
seafarers who require this training acquire the appropriate documentary evidence of training before
this date.
Seafarers with designated security duties:
All seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on ships to which the provisions of the ISPS Code
apply, who have designated duties under the Ships Security Plan, including anti-piracy and anti-armed
robbery-related activities shall be trained and hold an STCW Certificate for security duties. On
completion of this training the seafarers should be issued with an STCW Certificate of Proficiency
meeting the requirements of Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8, of the STCW Code 1978, as amended
and at least be able to:
 maintain the conditions set out in a ship security plan;
 recognize security risks and threats;
 undertake regular security inspections; and
 properly use security equipment and systems.
Transitional provisions:
As per the STCW Code Section A-VI/6, paragraph 9 until January 1, 2014 seafarers with designated
security duties who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to January 1, 2014 can
demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table
A-VI/6-2 of the STCW Code 1978, as amended, by:
 having approved seagoing service as shipboard personnel with designated security duties, for
a period of at least 6 months in total during the preceding 3 years, or
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QSP 4.1 – Attachment “G” Revision: 1 Page 3 of 3
 having performed security functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing service
required above, or
 passing an approved test, or
 completing approved training.
Act Now
Owners and/or managers of ships to which the ISPS Code apply should assure that the seafarers on
board have documented three levels of training:
 The security-related familiarization training course that should be received by all persons
employed on engaged on a sea going ship. This training can be conducted by the Ship
Security Officer. The owners and/or managers should ensure that the Ship Security Plan
makes reference to the requirements of STCW Code Section A-VI/6 for this training.
 Security awareness training that shall be received by all seafarers employed or engaged in
any capacity on board the ship. Shore based training should be conducted and an STCW
Certificate of Proficiency should be issued meeting the requirements of Section AVI/6,
paragraph 4, of the STCW Code. This training course should be completed once in the career
of the seafarer.
 Security training to seafarers with designated security duties as per Ship Security Plan should
be conducted and STCW Certificate of Proficiency meeting the requirements of Section AVI/
6, paragraphs 6 to 8, of the STCW Code 1978, as amended must be issued.
DBS Auditors must ensure that the above mentioned training courses have been conducted on board
ships that the ISPS Code applies. Also, DBS auditors should review and assure that the seafarers hold
the appropriate certificate of Proficiency and/or documented evidence kept on board for the training of
all persons engaged on a ship. This verification should be conducted in the forthcoming ISPS/ISSC
audits irrespective of scope.