If you work at sea — or plan to — the STCW certification is not optional. It is the single most important credential that decides whether you can legally board a merchant vessel anywhere in the world. STCW stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (as amended). It is enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Bangladesh, as a signatory state, requires every seafarer to hold valid STCW documents before joining a ship.
At Haque & Sons Ltd., an MLC 2006 and ISO-certified manning agency, we process hundreds of STCW verifications every year for officers, ratings, engineers, and cadets. This guide explains exactly which courses you need, where to do them in Bangladesh, how long they stay valid, and how to renew them without losing sea time.
The Four Mandatory STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) Modules
Before any Bangladeshi seafarer can sign on a foreign-going vessel, they must complete the four core STCW Basic Safety Training modules under STCW Regulation VI/1. These are the non-negotiable baseline:
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST) — Table A-VI/1-1. Covers abandon-ship drills, life raft handling, survival at sea, and use of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB).
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) — Table A-VI/1-2. Live fire drills, breathing apparatus, extinguisher use, and shipboard fire organisation.
- Elementary First Aid (EFA) — Table A-VI/1-3. Basic medical response, CPR, bleeding control, and shock management until professional help arrives.
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) — Table A-VI/1-4. Emergency procedures, pollution prevention, effective communication, and human rights on board.
All four are required together. If even one is missing or expired, the Port State Control officer can detain the seafarer at the gangway. Bangladeshi seafarers typically complete these at government-approved institutes such as the Bangladesh Marine Academy (Chattogram), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University (BSMRMU), or DG Shipping-approved private training centres in Dhaka and Chattogram (see our BMTI Training Center for onshore seafarer courses).
Advanced STCW Courses You Will Need for Higher Ranks
Once you move beyond the entry level, additional STCW endorsements become mandatory depending on your rank and vessel type:
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) — required for anyone assigned to a lifeboat station.
- Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) — mandatory for officers and senior ratings responsible for fire parties.
- Medical First Aid (MFA) and Medical Care on Board (MCB) — for officers designated to provide medical assistance.
- Ship Security Awareness Training (SSAT) and Designated Security Duties (DSD) — required under the ISPS Code.
- Tanker Familiarisation (Oil, Chemical, or Liquefied Gas) — for anyone joining a tanker.
- ECDIS, GMDSS, ARPA, and Bridge Resource Management — for deck officers on modern vessels. If you are just starting out, read our step-by-step guide on how to become a merchant navy officer in Bangladesh.
STCW Certificate Validity: How Long Does It Actually Last?
This is the question we receive most often, and the answer surprises many seafarers. The STCW course completion certificate itself has no expiry date — you passed the training, and that fact does not change. However, the proficiency to perform those duties on board must be revalidated every five years, as required by STCW Regulation I/11 and the 2010 Manila Amendments.
In practical terms, this means:
- PST, FPFF, PSCRB, and AFF must be refreshed every 5 years through a documented refresher course, approved sea service, or on-board drills that meet the standard of competence.
- EFA and PSSR generally do not require a formal refresher, but many shipping companies still ask for updated certificates.
- Your Certificate of Competency (COC) and Certificate of Proficiency (COP) issued by the Department of Shipping (DoS) Bangladesh are valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry.
COC Renewal in Bangladesh: Step-by-Step Timeline
Renewing your Certificate of Competency in Bangladesh is a structured process handled through the Directorate General of Shipping. Start the process at least 3 to 6 months before your COC expires to avoid gaps in employment. Here is the typical timeline:
- Six months before expiry: Complete BST refresher courses (PST, FPFF, PSCRB, AFF) and gather your sea service testimonials.
- Four months before expiry: Renew your ENG-1 or equivalent seafarer medical fitness certificate from a DG Shipping-approved doctor.
- Three months before expiry: Submit your online application through the DoS portal, attaching CDC, previous COC, sea service records, and refresher certificates.
- Two months before expiry: Attend the revalidation assessment or oral examination if required for your rank.
- Renewal issued: New COC valid for another 5 years, ready to upload to your seafarer file.
How STCW Connects to MLC 2006 Compliance
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 does not replace STCW — it complements it. While STCW governs your competence to work safely on a ship, MLC 2006 protects your rights as a worker: fair contracts, on-time wages, decent accommodation, medical care, and repatriation. A responsible manning agency must verify both before deploying you.
As an MLC 2006 and ISO 9001:2015 certified crewing agency, Haque & Sons Ltd. — our crew management and crew training and education teams cross-checks every seafarer’s STCW documents against the shipowner’s flag state requirements, ensuring your paperwork will not be rejected at the port of embarkation. This dual compliance is what shipowners in Singapore, Greece, Norway, and the UAE actively look for when selecting a Bangladeshi crewing partner.
Common Mistakes Bangladeshi Seafarers Make with STCW Documents
Over the years we have seen the same avoidable mistakes cost seafarers their contracts:
- Waiting until the last month to book refresher courses — training slots at Chattogram fill up quickly during peak season.
- Assuming online BST courses are accepted — most flag states require in-person, practical assessments.
- Losing the original hard copy certificates — always keep scanned copies on cloud storage and a physical backup.
- Forgetting to update the CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) after each contract.
- Booking a training centre that is not DG Shipping-approved — the certificate will be rejected during flag state verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STCW certification recognised worldwide?
Yes. STCW is an IMO convention ratified by more than 160 countries, so a certificate issued under Bangladesh’s DG Shipping is accepted globally, provided the issuing institute is on the IMO White List — which Bangladesh currently is.
Can I do the BST refresher course online?
No. The practical elements — fire fighting, water survival, and boat launching — must be performed physically at an approved centre. Only theory refreshers are permitted online, and even those must be combined with a practical assessment.
What happens if my STCW proficiency lapses while I am at sea?
Your current contract remains valid until sign-off, but you cannot sign on a new vessel until the refresher is completed. Learn how the on-board handover works in our Chattogram port crew change guide. Plan your leave so refresher training fits before your next joining date.
How much does STCW BST refresher cost in Bangladesh?
Costs vary by institute, but as of 2026, the full refresher package (PST, FPFF, PSCRB, AFF) typically ranges from BDT 25,000 to BDT 45,000 at approved centres in Chattogram and Dhaka.
Final Word: Stay Ahead of Your Renewal Schedule
Your STCW documents are the difference between a signed contract and a missed voyage. Treat renewal dates the same way you treat a medical check-up — schedule them early, keep digital copies, and work with a licensed manning agency that verifies your file before it ever reaches the shipowner. At Haque & Sons Ltd., our compliance team maintains a rolling reminder system for every seafarer on our roster, so your paperwork is renewed before it expires, not after.
If you are due for a COC renewal, BST refresher, or a first-time STCW enrolment, contact our Chattogram office for a free document review. We will tell you exactly which courses you need, where to take them, and how to keep your career at sea moving without administrative delays. Ready to sail? Apply now to join our roster.