New STCW Competence as of January 2026: Preventing & Responding to Violence and Harassment at Sea
Effective 1 January 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has updated the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Code) to include a new mandatory competence relating to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, encompassing sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault. This requirement applies globally to all seafarers who undertake Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) training on or after this date.
Why This Matters
For the first time, behavioral safety and respectful workplace conduct are formally recognized as core components of maritime safety. Traditional PSSR training focused on physical hazards (fire, survival, first aid, teamwork). The 2026 amendment expands this to include social hazards—recognizing that interpersonal conflicts and misconduct significantly affect crew welfare, cohesion, and ship safety.
What the Updated PSSR Training Must Cover
Under the amended STCW Code Table A-VI/1-4, approved training must now ensure seafarers can:
1. Understand Violence and Harassment
2. Recognize Contributing Risk Factors
3. Respond Safely and Effectively
What is needed? Amendment Certificate or Updated PSSR Training
Seafarers must now hold an updated PSSR certificate (Table A-VI/1-4 STCW) that includes this new competence to comply after 1 January 2026. For many flag states seafarers undertaking PSSR training on or after this date must receive the updated instruction and have it reflected in their training records.
Note: Some administrations (e.g., the UK MCA) clarify that existing valid PSSR certificates aren’t automatically invalidated; however, companies are encouraged to align with the updated content and may require training consistent with IMO Resolution MSC.560(108).
How to Comply
To meet the new requirement:
Enroll in an Approved PSSR Course - Ensure the training provider includes the updated violence and harassment prevention training in the PSSR syllabus.
Complete the Instruction and Assessment - Attend lessons on recognition, reporting, intervention, and support; successfully pass the assessment demonstrating competence.
Obtain Updated Certificate - Receive your PSSR certificate that reflects the new competence (e.g., updated STCW A-VI/1-4 record).
Stay Informed About Flag-Specific Transitional Rules - Some flag states may have additional transitional arrangements—check with your flag administration or company compliance officer.
What should Captains and Chief Officers need to do
When a seafarer joins your vessel in 2026 or later, Captains and Chief Officers should:
Check that the seafarer’s PSSR certificate includes the new competence.
Confirm the certificate was issued by an approved training provider under the flag state’s rules.
Verify the expiry date or validity as per both STCW and flag state guidance.
Note any transitional exceptions based on when training was completed (pre-2026) and company policy.
As part of the onboard familiarization, include discussion of your company’s violence, harassment, and reporting policy during onboarding.
Make sure new crew know who to contact onboard for confidential reporting (e.g., HR representative, Safety Officer, or complaints procedure protocol).
The Bigger Picture
This update is more than regulatory compliance—it marks a cultural shift in the maritime industry. By embedding prevention and response to violence and harassment into mandatory safety training, the IMO and flag states are recognizing that a safe ship is not only about emergency drills and lifesaving gear, but also about the social environment and respectful working relationships onboard.
How Dayboard Yacht Solutions Can Help
Navigating new regulatory requirements can raise practical questions for both seafarers and vessel leadership—especially as flag states, training providers, and company policies continue to align with the updated STCW standards.
Dayboard Yacht Solutions is available to support yachts, Captains, and crew with:
Clarifying compliance requirements related to the updated PSSR training and violence and harassment competence
Reviewing crew certification and onboarding documentation to ensure alignment with flag-state and STCW expectations
Guidance for Captains and senior officers on what to verify when crew join onboard after January 2026
Support interpreting flag-state circulars and transitional arrangements related to existing PSSR certificates
Assistance aligning company policies, onboard procedures, and Safety Management Systems (SMS) with the new requirements
Whether you’re a seafarer seeking clarity, a Captain reviewing crew documentation, or an owner/operator updating internal procedures, Dayboard Yacht Solutions can help ensure you are informed, prepared, and compliant.
For additional questions or tailored guidance, contact Dayboard Yacht Solutions directly to speak with a member of our team.
