MCA Update – Important News for Seafarers

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has announced an important update to STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) training, following the publication of MGN 718 (M+F): 2026 IMO Amendment to PSSR.

The changes relate to new mandatory STCW competence requirements covering the prevention of and response to violence and harassment at sea, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.

Do I Need to Complete the Additional Training?

If you completed an MCA-approved PSSR course on or after 1 January 2026, you do not need to complete the supplementary training, as the additional learning requirements are already included within your PSSR course.

If you hold an MCA-approved PSSR certificate dated before 1 January 2026, you are required to complete the new supplementary training.

The requirement also applies to relevant holders of UK Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP), including UK-certified officers and ratings.

Important Deadline

Affected seafarers must complete the supplementary training no later than 31 March 2027.

Failure to complete the training by this date may affect:

• Revalidation of your MCA certificates
• Demonstration of compliance during vessel inspections
• Your eligibility to work aboard vessels at sea

Free MCA Supplementary PSSR Training

To make meeting the new requirement straightforward, the MCA has arranged a free online e-learning module for UK seafarers and UK-MCA certified seafarers.

The course is:

Prevention and Response to Violence & Harassment – Module 0900

The online training:

• Is free of charge
• Takes approximately one hour
• Can be completed online 24 hours a day
• Can be completed using a computer, tablet or mobile phone
• Covers the prevention, identification, reporting and appropriate response to violence and harassment
• Has no final assessment

How to Apply

Visit: Ocean Technologies Group – Learning Platform

• Visit: Ocean Technologies Group – Learning Platform
• Type 0900 in the ‘Search for a course’ search box (top-right) and press Enter
  (Simplest way to locate the correct module)
• Check you have selected 0900 (version for UK Certified Seafarers)
• Click ‘Add to cart’
• Click the ‘Cart’ button (top-right)
  (If using a phone, access the cart via the menu button)

Apply MCA coupon code

• Enter coupon code: mca_prvh26
• Click ‘Apply coupon’ (required to make the course free)
• Click ‘Proceed to checkout’

Once the module has been successfully completed, you will receive a OneOcean Verification of Training. This is accepted by the MCA as evidence that you have completed the required supplementary training.

You should download and retain your Verification of Training, as you may be required to provide it for MCA certification, revalidation or inspection purposes.

Find Out More & Complete the Training

For full details of the new requirements, please read the official MCA Marine Guidance Note MGN 718 (M+F): 2026 IMO Amendment to PSSR.

The guidance also contains instructions explaining how to access the free OneOcean training module and obtain your Verification of Training.

Training must be completed by 31 March 2027 where applicable.