Where this sits
Governing: MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1, sections 4.4, 4.5 and 9.1; MSN 1861 (M) Amendment 1; MGN 718 (M+F). Builds on: the whole course.
The dates that matter
| Date | Why |
|---|---|
| Each refresher + 5 years | Last day it counts for work on board and at inspection |
| CoC expiry | Revalidation must be done by then |
| CoC expiry - 6 months | From here, revalidation keeps your expiry date anniversary |
| 31 March 2027 | MGN 718 harassment module deadline |
| ENG1 expiry | Needed for revalidation and often for practical courses |
Step by step
- List every certificate and its last update date (L1.1).
- Mark which are on the five-year list and which are linked (PSCRB with PST, AFF with FPFF).
- Calculate each lapse date: add five years.
- Overlay your CoC expiry and the 6-month revalidation window.
- Overlay your rotation or contract.
- Choose a leave period before the earliest lapse date, and book all refreshers together.
- Plan drills on board so you can sign the self-declarations (L2.2).
- Complete the MGN 718 module now if it applies to you. It takes an hour.
Worked example
A chief officer holds a Chief Mate (Yachts) <3000 GT CoC.
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| PST, FPFF, PSCRB, AFF refreshers | 8 March 2022 |
| Refreshers lapse | 8 March 2027 |
| CoC expiry | 20 October 2027 |
| Revalidation window opens | 20 April 2027 |
| Rotation leave | December 2026 to February 2027 |
Her refreshers lapse before the revalidation window opens. If she waits, she will be working with out-of-date training from March 2027 and cannot revalidate. Doing all four refreshers in the December to February leave keeps her in date at work, gives her valid evidence for a revalidation from 20 April 2027, and resets all four clocks to 2031-2032. She completes the MGN 718 module at the same time.
Company responsibility
MSN 1865 section 9.1 (regulation 61 of the 2022 Regulations): companies must ensure that seafarers on their ships have received the refresher and updating training required. On yachts, management companies often track this and some pay for courses. But the certificates are yours, and so is the consequence of a lapse.
WARNING: Lapsed means off the crew list A crew member with lapsed PST or FPFF is not qualified to serve on a vessel that must comply with STCW. Captains and flag inspectors check. Crew agents check too.
Costs and time
Refreshers are short, but they are practical, so they need a centre with a pool, fireground and survival craft. Popular centres book up in the yachting off-season. Build in travel time, and remember that the FPFF refresher is always 7 hours ashore and the PST refresher is either 4 hours (with a complete declaration) or a full PST course.
Not on the cycle
Do not waste money refreshing what does not need it. PSSR, EFA, Medical First Aid, Security Awareness, PDSD and SSO have no five-yearly refresher requirement under the UK notices, although employers or other flags may have their own rules.
TIP: One calendar entry Put a reminder in your phone 12 months before your earliest lapse date. That is when to start looking at leave, courses and self-declarations.