STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course for Superyachts

Fully Online, MCA Approved Maritime Security (ISPS) Ships Security Officer Courses for Potential SSO’s of Luxury Superyachts, Motor Yachts & Mega Yachts

This course is fully online.

The course is run through one of our partners, Virsec.

COST

AUD $926 or £475

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Course Introduction

Please Note: This Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course has been tailored towards potential SSO’s of luxury Superyachts, Mega Yachts and Motor Yachts. For other vessel types, see the beginning of ‘Details’ in the tabs below for more vessel-type options. The aim of this Online Proficiency as Ship Security Officer Course, also referred to a Vessel Security Officer (VSO), is to provide the essential education and training meeting with the Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements, the 2010 Manila Amendments, and the requirements of Section A-VI/5, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Convention and Code, and taking into account the guidance given in Section B-VI/5 of the Code, and Table A-VI/5.

Course Features

✅ 100% Online Course & Assessments
✅ Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approved
✅ Fully STCW ISPS Recognised Course
✅ Fully Compliant with IMO Model 3.19
✅ This Course is IMO Whitelisted
✅ No Expiry on the Official Course Certificate
✅ Comprehensive Set of Course Notes to Keep
✅ Learning Confirmation Exercises Throughout
✅ Interactive Learning Materials
✅ Rapid Turnaround on Course Certification
✅ Flexible Learning at Your Own Pace
✅ Course Tailored for this Specific Sector

✅ Take Online or Offline (See Brochure)

Vessel-Tailored Ship Security Officer Course

This Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course has been tailored specifically for potential SSO’s who work on board luxury Superyachts, Mega Yachts and Motor Yachts. We also provide the following tailored versions of the Ship Security Officer Course for the following sectors, so if you are on one of these types of vessels, it is better you select it from the links provided below:

About This Course

The fully online, UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency (STCW ISPS) Proficiency as Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course, is a mandatory training requirement under STCW ISPS for members of a Superyacht’s Crew intending to fulfil the role of a Ship Security Officer. The SSO is responsible for the security measures implemented on board, in accordance with the Ship Security Plan (SSP), and the ISPS Code. Amongst the many other responsibilities, SSO’s are responsible for the implementation of the security measures laid out within the Ship Security Plan at all times the yacht is underway, or in Port. As well as the ongoing maintenance of the Ship Security Plan, the SSO must ensure that all yacht’s crew members and staff, especially those being tasked with Designated Security Duties, fulfil their obligations towards the security integrity of the yacht. The course will provide the Learner with the information required to complete the required instruction under STCW, the MNTB KUPs, IMO Model Course 3.19, and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). For information on the course Awarding Body and Certification, please view the Certifications Tab.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand the importance of ship security and the roles and responsibilities of organisations and individuals involved in it
  2. Know how to assess security risk, threat and vulnerability to the ship, its personnel, cargo, and operations
  3. Understand the capabilities and limitations of security methods, equipment, and systems
  4. Know how to implement a ship security plan and related regulatory requirements
  5. Know how to determine the effectiveness of current security arrangements, procedures, and equipment
  6. Understand how to promote security awareness and vigilance on board ship

Regulations Addressed

  • MNTB Security Courses Criteria (2nd Edition)
  • Regulation VI/5 of the STCW Convention and Code (2010)
  • IMO Model Course 3.19 (2012 Edition)
  • Chapter XI-2 of the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (as amended)
  • The International Ship & Port Security (ISPS) Code as amended (STCW Table A-VI/5)

Pre-Requisites

Under the mandatory requirement of the UK Department for Transport, Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), learners wishing to undertake the course must be able to demonstrate 12 months sea service, or as at the discretion of the MCA, appropriate sea service (minimum of 3 months) and knowledge of ships operations to enable them to achieve the objectives of the training provided. By taking this course, you are stating that you do possess the relevant requirements and meet with the relevant pre-requisites.

Course Brochure

For the full Proficiency as Ship Security Officer course description and details, download the course brochure here or from the button at the top of the page.

  • The Development of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of relevant bodies and organisations.
  • The roles and responsibilities of Contracting Governments, Designated Authorities, and Recognised Security Organisations.
  • The Security Roles & Responsibilities of Crew and Port Security Personnel.
  • Measures and Procedures for Maritime Security [MARSEC] Levels.
  • Recognition of weapons, dangerous substances, and devices.
  • Recognition of persons who may pose a threat to the security of the ship.
  • Identifying techniques used to circumvent security measures.
  • The handling of Sensitive Security-Related Information [SSRI] and Communications.
  • Identifying security threats including Maritime Piracy & Armed Robbery against Shipping.
  • Declarations of Security [DoS].
  • The On-Scene Security Survey.
  • The Ship Security Assessment [SSA].
  • The Ship Security Plan [SSP].
  • The provisions for maintaining security.
  • Criteria for setting Maritime Security [MARSEC] levels under the ISPS Code.
  • Actions to prevent weapons, dangerous substances and devices being brought on board.
  • Guidance and measure for Anti-Piracy and Anti-Armed Robbery.
  • Responses to Emergency Situations including Maritime Piracy & Armed Robbery against Shipping.
  • Physical Searches & Non-Intrusive Inspections.
  • Crowd Management & Control Requirements.
  • Crew Training, Emergency Drills & Exercises.
  • European Commission [DG MOVE] and European Maritime Safety Agency.
  • Port and Flag States.
  • UK DfT Maritime Security and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
  • Recognised Security Organisations and limitations in their use.
  • The Shipping Company.
  • Masters Authority and Discretion for Ship Safety and Security.
  • Authority of the Duly Authorised Officer [DAO].
  • The legal implications for seafarers and security personnel.
  • The requirement for the provision of the ship identification number [SIN], Automatic Identification System [AIS], Ship Security Alert System [SSAS] and Long-Range Identification and Tracking [LRIT].
  • The purpose and control of the continuous synopsis record [CSR].
  • The purpose and use of the Long-Range Identification and Tracking [LRIT].

 

Please note you will be redirected to one of our partner’s websites Virsec to complete the course to complete & pay for the course.

 

 

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Certifications

Upon successful completion of the online course, verification of Learner ID, and associated official Assessment, Learners will receive an electronic security-encrypted version of your official course certificate (in secure PDF format). Certificates are usually emailed to the Learner within 24 to 48 hours of confirmation of the course results, or the next working day if the course is successfully completed on a Friday.

The Proficiency Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course is fully Approved by the UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is internationally recognised and accepted. It includes the 2010 Manila Amendments and meets the requirements of Section A-VI/5, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Convention and Code and taking into account the guidance given in Section B-VI/5 of the Code, and Table A-VI/5.

Learners may also request an embossed stamped, hardcopy certificate to be posted to their home address. This is a free-of charge service for SSO Candidates. Please note that VIRSEC is not responsible for any loss or delay of the certificate once it has been dispatched to Royal Mail. Should a Carrier Service be requested, then the relevant charges will be applied, and all payments must be made before the certificate is posted.

Under the Awarding Body (Maritime & Coastguard Agency), there are currently no expiry dates placed on the (STCW ISPS) Proficiency as Ship Security Officer course certificates. Learners do not currently have to undertake a refresher or re-certification of this course unless directed to do so by the company they are working for.

Should a Learner require the certificate to be expedited, either after office hours, at weekends, during holidays, or other means, a surcharge of £49.95 GBP (+VAT) will be charged and sent by Secure Payment Link. Please note that all payments must be made before the certificate is sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the fully online Proficiency in Security Awareness or PDSD Course, is fully Approved under the UK Department for Transport, Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). The course complies with the requirements placed upon it by the STCW Convention & Code, the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, and meets with the Knowledge, Understanding & Proficiency (KUP) requirements laid out by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB).

Yes, this course is fully compliant with the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW). Any country that is signed up to the ISPS Code and STCW Convention should accept our certification. We have to date provided our courses into 130 countries worldwide.

All our courses have a six (6) month access licence applied to them. This licence commences the day the course is purchased, and not from the day you first access the course.

No, VIRSEC do provide you with a comprehensive set of Course Notes that you can download at the start of each of the Learning Outcomes. You can also use these notes to research any answers when taking the Official Assessment at the end of the course.

On the Proficiency as Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course, there is an Assessment on completion of the six Learning Outcomes. You must achieve a minimum score of 70% to successfully complete the Assessment.

If you fail the Assessment, you may retake it again straight away, or whenever you wish within the 6-month licence applicable to your course [licences commence the day the course is purchased, not the date they are accessed].

No, the course is 100% online and you are required to adhere to the strict requirements outlined in the course explanation as well as any requests made of you during the course such as completing and submitting your online Learner Verification.

Yes, you are required to submit an official form of ID such as a scan of your passport, driving licence, or other official photo ID. This is to ensure you are who you state yourself to be, and so we can use this ID to collect the relevant information that will populate your official course certificate. It is very easy to do and will only take you around five (5) minutes to do.

Yes, for the Ship Security Officer there is a requirement for an invigilator to be present during your Assessment only. This can be the Master, Ship Security officer or other Officer ranked member of the crew. They will be required to complete the Online Invigilator Verification Form on our website [also linked from the course itself]. They must complete this form and be present at your Assessment. If you do not have access to an invigilator, please see the following question.

If you do not have access to an Invigilator, you must inform VIRSEC, and we will arrange for you to attend an online Remote Invigilation Session. This is a free of charge service we offer our learners, but you must make yourself available for the relevant session. You can arrange a Remote Invigilation Session by completing the online form accessed from the menu on the VIRSEC website under Online Forms. Please note that failing to attend an arranged Remote Invigilation Session may result in a charge for any subsequent requests.

When you complete the course correctly and pass the Official Assessment, we will verify your time spent on the course, your submitted ID, and your Official Assessment. Once we are satisfied, we will email you a secure, encrypted PDF of your certificate that you must print off and sign. These PDFs are security encrypted to prevent any tampering with information placed on them, and so you must print them off to sign with a black pen.

Yes, under the relevant Agencies and Conventions, the Security Awareness is a 21-hour course. This excludes any video content we have included [for interest], viewing of any websites linked from the course or documents also linked from the course.

We are allowed a slight variation in timings due to individual reading speeds, but we will fail you if you exceed the allowed variance. Please note that the Course Notes are purely there for reference and revision, and any time spent reading these do not count towards your time spent on the course. This is also covered in the course itself, so make sure you spend the time necessary to study properly.

The allowed variance. Please note that the Course Notes are purely there for reference and revision, and any time spent reading these do not count towards your time spent on the course. This is also covered in the course itself, so make sure you spend the time necessary to study properly.

You can take a break from the course at any time of your choosing. We also recommend that you have regular breaks and often build reminders into our courses. It is strongly recommended that if you are going to take a significant break, we recommend that you log out. The system will remember your progress so you may continue from that point when you log back in.

If you complete the course in an unrealistic time (too quickly) we will have no alternative but to fail you. It is important that you treat this like you would any officially Approved course taught in a classroom environment. The fact that it is online is not reason to abuse the requirements. As stated in other FAQs, we do allow a slight variance in timings due to individual reading speeds.

No, we do not take into consideration your time served, nor your rank. This is an ISPS Course, and there is an acceptable minimum time set by the relevant Awarding Body and Governing Bodies. If you abuse this, or do not meet with any of these requirements, you will fail the course regardless of the score achieved in the Assessment(s). You will be required to re-take the course and associated assessments.

VIRSEC are not responsible for you leaving your course until the last minute, and you run the risk of not receiving your certificate in the time needed. Certificates take up to 48 hours during the working week to turn around, and should this fall over a weekend, you may not receive the certificate until the next working day [holidays excluded]. If you require your certificate to be expedited, you may request this from VIRSEC, but we are under absolutely no obligation to do this and there will be an additional charge applied.

Learners are able to purchase courses and take them 365 days a year, 24 hours a day as we are an online company, with access to both our e-Commerce website and Learning Management System [LMS]. However, the company is open during the hours listed on its website [0900 to 1700 hrs GMT/BST Monday to Thursday, 0900 to 1500 hrs Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday and Bank Holidays]. Support requests may be made but will be managed during these listed office hours.

VIRSEC do have a Chat Facility on their website and you may make a request for support. However, this is only manned during the hours listed on its website [0900 to 1700 hrs GMT/BST Monday to Thursday, 0900 to 1500 hrs Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday and Bank Holidays]. Responses to comments or enquiries may take up to 24 hours, or until the next working day as detailed.