Shipboard Safety Skill Set

Course overview

This course is the mandatory minimum requirement for the Shipboard Safety Skill Set under the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (Table 2 Elements of Shipboard Safety (ESS) needed to work on domestic commercial vessels.

It will teach you survival techniques, safe working procedures for emergency situations on board a vessel, survival techniques on a vessel in an emergency situation, and how to abide safe working procedures. Our highly experienced team of industry professionals will give you the one-on-one guidance you need to confidently adhere to safety requirements in a maritime environment.

Successful completion of this certification is a requirement if applying to a state marine authority for Certificate of Competence as a Coxswain Grade 1 or 2, Master Class <24, Master Class <35, MED 3, 2 or 1. It will also allow mariners to work at sea as a minimum requirement under the Domestic Commercial Vessel act (DCV).

Course outcome:

Statement of Attainment

Selection criteria

It is highly recommended that students are aged 16 or older by the course commencement date.

Delivery Method

Assessment procedures
Assessment will include written tests and practical demonstration of skills. This course involves extinguishing fires and being in water.

For all course dates in 2023 these are a one day practical on campus and assessments are completed online by the student prior to class attendance. 

Resources required

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.


You are responsible for meeting the minimum occupational health and safety requirements in practical classes. For Elements of Shipboard Safety this includes having access to and wearing appropriate attire including non synthetic/flammable clothing, safety glasses (supplied), and enclosed shoes. You will not be permitted to attend any classes without appropriate footwear. For wet drills you also require clothes to get wet in (similar to work clothes, but no wet suits), a second set of clothes (to change into), a towel, swimmers, sunscreen, and hat. For fire drills you require a long sleeve shirt, long pants, sunglasses and enclosed shoes.

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