Certificates of Proficiency

New Training Requirements for Seafarers: Prevention and Response to Bullying and Harassment, Including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Maritime Sector 

Starting January 1, 2026, amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Code), approved by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, will come into effect. These amendments aim to strengthen the fight against violence and harassment in the maritime industry and reduce its prevalence. The changes are integrated into the Basic Safety Training under STCW Code Table A-VI/1-4. 

As part of this initiative, maritime training institutions have already prepared for the changes and developed a new training program titled: 

“Training on the Prevention of and Response to Bullying and Harassment in the Maritime Sector, Including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment” 

In addition, they have updated the existing program: 

“Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities”. 

These updates are in accordance with the requirements of MSC Resolution 560(108) and include specific modules on addressing and preventing workplace bullying and harassment onboard ships. 

Certification and Training Updates 

• Seafarers who complete the updated full or refresher training program in “Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities,” which now includes additional modules on the prevention of violence and harassment in the maritime sector, will be issued Certificates of Proficiency by the Administration in accordance with the established procedure. 

• Seafarers who complete only the new training program, titled “Training on the Prevention of and Response to Bullying and Harassment in the Maritime Sector, Including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment,” and who already hold valid Certificates of Proficiency issued by the Administration for “Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities,” will not be issued new Certificates of Proficiency, as the entries in the existing certificates will remain unchanged — unless the seafarer specifically requests an update. 

• Information confirming that the seafarer has completed training related to the prevention of sexual assault, sexual harassment, bullying, and other forms of harassment is available when verifying the authenticity of the Certificate of Proficiency "Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility," issued by the Administration, on the Administration’s official website at   https://seaman.msa.lt/documents/search.

From 1 August 2024 the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration will no longer issue certificates of proficiency to seafarers who have completed the following training programmes:

• Radar navigation, radar plotting and use of ARPA (operational level). 

• Radar, ARPA, bridge teamwork and search and rescue (management level). 

• Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS); 

• Bridge resource management. 

• Engine - room resource management. 

•  Safety for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces, passenger ship crowd management, crisis management and human behaviour training 

• Passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity training. 

The documents of completion for these courses will be issued by the training institutions authorised to provide this training. 

The authenticity of the documents issued can be verified here: https://seaman.msa.lt/en