Course Overview
The Certificate of Safety Training course gives learners the practical skills to respond to shipboard emergencies, survive at sea, prevent and fight fires, maintain personal safety on board, and recognise maritime security threats. Delivered through a combination of self-paced online learning completed prior to 4 days of face-to-face practical training, this course covers personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, personal safety and social responsibilities, and security awareness in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requirements and Marine Order 70 (Seafarer Certification) 2014.
The Certificate of Safety Training is the mandatory minimum maritime safety capability required across the maritime industry, including international and Australian-registered vessels operating under the STCW Convention, where seafarers must be able to respond quickly and effectively to shipboard emergencies. The Certificate of Safety Training (COST_BD) course delivered at ERGT Australia combines self-paced online learning (approximately 30 hours) with 4 days of face-to-face practical training to provide learners with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience required to obtain CoST certification and support eligibility for AMSA endorsement. Designed for seafarers, deck and engine crew, cooks, stewards and other personnel required to hold mandatory maritime safety training, this course focuses on personal survival techniques and life-saving appliances, fire prevention and firefighting theory and practical exercises, personal safety and social responsibilities on board vessels, security awareness and threat recognition, and emergency response and evacuation drills in accordance with STCW and AMSA requirements.
Through a combination of self-paced online learning, facilitator-led learning and practical training on purpose-built maritime safety facilities, learners will build the confidence and capability to participate in shipboard emergency response, survive at sea using life-saving appliances, prevent and fight fires using firefighting equipment and breathing apparatus, maintain personal safety on board, and recognise security threats in line with industry best practice. Upon successful completion, learners will be ready to apply for AMSA endorsement and begin a career working on Australian-registered or international vessels.
This training is essential for anyone starting a career in the maritime industry
Key details
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Respond effectively to shipboard emergencies, including fire and evacuation situations.
- Demonstrate personal survival techniques and use life-saving appliances at sea.
- Apply fire prevention strategies and safely participate in firefighting operations.
- Maintain personal safety and social responsibilities on board vessels.
- Recognise maritime security threats and follow appropriate reporting procedures.
- Communicate effectively during emergencies, raising the alarm promptly and coordinating with crew members.
Prior Skills & Knowledge
Training Standard Prerequisites:
There are no formal training prerequisites for this course.
Course Requirements & Pre-requisites:
Minimum Age:
The minimum age to undertake this course is 16 years in line with AMSA requirements.
Online Learning completed prior to face-to-face training:
The online learning component of this training forms a mandatory requirement of the course and is designed to prepare learners for face-to-face practical training and assessment activities. All learners are required to complete the online learning component prior to attending the face-to-face practical training. The online component runs for approximately 30 hours and must be completed at least 3 days prior to the scheduled course start date.
For online learning support contact info@ergt.com.au
Elementary First Aid (EFA) prerequisites:
Learners must hold a valid Elementary First Aid (EFA) certificate, or an equivalent qualification suitable for verification, to be eligible for AMSA endorsement following course completion.
Respiratory Standards:
Under respiratory standard AS/NZS 1715 Appendix B: Facial Seal of Respirators must be adhered to. You must be clean shaven to achieve an effective seal. If you’re unsure about this requirement, contact ERGT before your course.
What to expect
Learner Support:
Learner wellbeing for this course is supported through measures that recognise the physical, cognitive and psychological demands of maritime safety training across a 4-day intensive face-to-face practical training course, as well as the digital requirements of the pre-course online learning component. As the course involves firefighting with breathing apparatus, in-water survival activities, life raft launches, and simulated shipboard emergencies, ERGT implements support strategies that prioritise learner safety, confidence and readiness. This includes access to digital and technical support for the online learning component, alongside trainer guidance where required. This ensures learners can safely participate in all practical components without compromising their wellbeing or safety.
Physical Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers continuously monitor learners during practical activities for signs of fatigue, heat stress, cold exposure, motion sickness or restricted movement while wearing PPE and breathing apparatus.
- Practical activities are structured to include scheduled rest, hydration and recovery periods between firefighting, survival and water-based exercises to manage fatigue across all four training days.
- PPE fit and comfort, including life jackets, breathing apparatus and firefighting gear, are checked before and throughout practical sessions, with trainer support for adjustment where required.
- Environmental conditions (heat, weather, water temperature) are considered when scheduling and delivering training, with adjustments made as required to ensure safe participation.
Psychological & Emotional Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers provide clear pre-activity briefings to prepare learners for water immersion, firefighting and breathing apparatus use, including what to expect during practical activities and the safety controls in place.
- Learners experiencing discomfort or anxiety when participating in water-based, firefighting or breathing apparatus activities are supported through gradual exposure, additional guidance or alternative sequencing of activities where appropriate.
- Post-activity debriefs are conducted to reinforce learning, address concerns and build confidence in safe maritime safety practices.
Cognitive Support for Safety-Critical Tasks:
- Structured online and classroom delivery of maritime safety principles, STCW requirements, firefighting theory, survival techniques and security awareness prior to practical application.
- Step-by-step demonstrations of safety-critical procedures, including mustering, donning PPE, responding to alarms, using emergency equipment and following survival procedures.
- Use of consistent terminology, demonstrations and reinforcement of key practices to support memory retention and recall during practical activities.
Digital & Technical Support (Online Learning):
- Technical support is available to assist learners with accessing the learning management system aXcelerate (LMS), troubleshooting login issues, navigation, and general system functionality. This support is provided during business hours contact info@ergt.com.au
- Trainers are available to provide guidance on the online learning content, including clarification of course material, assessment requirements, and navigation of learning activities where this relates to understanding the training. This support is provided during business hours contact info@ergt.com.au
- Learners are encouraged to seek support as early as possible if they experience difficulty accessing or completing the online learning component to ensure readiness for practical training.
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