Personal Survival Techniques
R 2 354,68Abandoning ship, lifejackets and liferafts, and staying alive in the water until you are rescued. Part of it is in the pool, so you need to be able to swim.
2 days, runs three times a week
STCW in Cape Town
Your STCW, booked for you in Cape Town
Basic Safety Training and Security Awareness at a SAMSA accredited maritime training centre in the Port of Cape Town. We book your dates at no charge, and the centre invoices you directly at its published price.
- Maritime training centre, Port of Cape Town
- SAMSA accredited
- For all 5 modules
- 10 days
- The centre's own price, VAT included
- R11 382,82
- The core courses run weekly
- Every week
Where you train
A SAMSA accredited centre in the Port of Cape Town
STCW is the international safety training for seafarers. Every crew member needs Security Awareness, and most cruise lines ask hotel, restaurant and bar crew for Basic Safety Training too, some only after a successful interview. Check your line, or ask us.
In South Africa, only training centres accredited by SAMSA, the South African Maritime Safety Authority, issue STCW. We book you at a SAMSA accredited maritime training centre in the Port of Cape Town, where the core courses run every week. You train there in person, and the centre issues your certificates. The centre invoices you directly at its published price. Cape Marine Academy adds nothing to it and books your dates at no charge.
Cape Marine Academy is a preparation academy. We are not an accredited STCW provider and we never issue STCW or any seafarer certificate. Our own certificate is a certificate of completion for our courses. Your STCW certificates always come from the accredited centre.
Where you train33°54′ S 18°26′ E
- WherePort of Cape Town, Foreshore
In Cape Town's working harbour.
- Who trains youA SAMSA accredited maritime training centre
The centre runs the courses and issues your certificates. We never do.
- WhenCourses run every week
Personal Survival Techniques and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities run three times a week. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid and Security Awareness run weekly.
- PricesPublished 1 April 2026, VAT included
Invoiced to you by the centre, confirmed when we book.
You get the centre's full details with your booking.
Modules and prices
Every module, at the centre's own price
We add nothing to the centre's price, and we book your dates at no charge. The centre invoices you directly.
The centre's published prices, from its Cape Town prospectus dated 1 April 2026, VAT included. The centre may change them without notice, so we confirm the price when we book your dates.
| Module | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Safety TrainingSTCW Regulation VI/1 | ||
PSTPersonal Survival Techniques 2 days, three times a week | 2 days | R 2 354,68 |
FPFFFire Prevention and Fire Fighting 3 days, weekly | 3 days | R 2 992,32 |
EFAElementary First Aid 2 days, weekly | 2 days | R 2 097,63 |
PSSRPersonal Safety and Social Responsibilities 2 days, three times a week | 2 days | R 2 354,68 |
| Basic Safety Training, 4 modules9 days | 9 days | R 9 799,31 |
| Security AwarenessSTCW Regulation VI/6 | ||
SASecurity Awareness 1 day, weekly | 1 day | R 1 583,51 |
| All 5 modules10 days at the centre | 10 days | R 11 382,82 |
Basic Safety Training. The safety training for seafarers with safety duties on board. Most cruise lines ask hotel, restaurant and bar crew for it, some only after a successful interview.
Security Awareness. Every seafarer needs it before taking up duties on board, and cruise lines ask it of hotel crew.
These 5 modules, 10 days at the centre, are the STCW set in Set Sail.
| Module | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Optional cruise extrasSTCW Regulation V/2, passenger ship training | ||
PSCMPassenger Ship Crowd Management 1 day For crew the muster list names to help passengers in an emergency. Some lines ask hotel crew for it before they join. | 1 day | R 1 780,48 |
Safety Training for Personnel Providing Direct Service to Passengers in Passenger Spaces 1 day STCW asks it of crew who serve passengers in passenger spaces, such as waiters and bar staff. Check whether your line wants it before you join, and we book it if so. | 1 day | R 1 780,48 |
CMHBCrisis Management and Human Behaviour 1 day For crew the muster list makes responsible for passenger safety in an emergency. Some lines ask hotel crew for it together with Crowd Management. | 1 day | R 1 829,44 |
| All 33 days | 3 days | R 5 390,40 |
Not part of Set Sail. Who needs which depends on your role and your line, so book them only if yours asks.
| Module | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Also at the centreOptional | ||
MFAMedical First Aid 4 days For crew designated to give medical first aid on board. It includes Elementary First Aid, so you take one or the other, never both. | 4 days | R 2 623,98 |
Basic Swimming 6 hours Not an STCW course. Personal Survival Techniques needs you to swim, so book this first if you cannot. | 6 hours | R 1 224,08 |
Never required by us. Book them if they help you.
Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting must be refreshed every five years, and so must Crowd Management and Crisis Management. If you already hold older certificates, check their dates before you apply.
STCW calculator
Build your STCW booking
Tick the modules you need to see the centre's own price to the cent and your days at the centre. Then send Robin your list.
Your modules
Start from a quick pick
Or tick module by module
Basic Safety Training
Most cruise lines ask for all four
Security Awareness
Every crew member needs it
Optional cruise extras
Only if your line or role asks
Also at the centre
Never required by us
Your STCW booking
At the centre's own price
R 11 382,82
10 days at the centre, 5 modules
- PST
- FPFF
- EFA
- PSSR
- SA
- Invoiced to you directly by the centre at its published price. We book your dates at no charge.
- Cancel within 7 days of your course and the centre charges 15% of the fee. Cancel within 48 hours and it charges 50%.
The centre's prices from its prospectus dated 1 April 2026, VAT included.
Inside the training
What the 5 modules teach you
Hands on, in person, and built around the emergencies every crew member has to be ready for, whatever their job on board.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
R 2 992,32How fires start on a ship and how to stop them, the extinguishers and hoses on board, and using breathing apparatus to fight a fire.
3 days, runs weekly
Elementary First Aid
R 2 097,63The first minutes of an emergency: checking a casualty, CPR, bleeding, burns and shock, until medical help takes over.
2 days, runs weekly
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
R 2 354,68Emergency drills and your muster station, safe working on board, preventing pollution, and the teamwork and communication a ship runs on.
2 days, runs three times a week
Security Awareness
R 1 583,51How security works on a ship and in port: the security levels, spotting a threat, and what to do when you see one.
1 day, runs weekly
The images show the kind of equipment each module uses. They are illustrations, not photographs of the training centre.
How booking works
How we book your STCW
Four steps, and nothing to pay us. Message Robin and we take it from there.
- 1
Tell us what you need
Message Robin on WhatsApp with the modules you need and the weeks you can attend. Not sure which modules your line wants? Ask, and we work it out with you.
- 2
We book the next available dates
No waiting list on our side: we book you onto the centre's next available dates, and its core courses run every week. A provisional booking is not a confirmed place until the centre confirms it.
- 3
The centre invoices you
The centre invoices you directly at its published price, and it needs a certified copy of your ID. We add nothing to the price and charge nothing for the booking.
- 4
Attend, and the centre certifies you
You need 100% attendance to receive your certificate, which the centre issues, not us. Meals are not included, and there is a canteen on site.
The centre's terms
As its prospectus states them.
- Prices may change without notice.
- Cancel within 7 days of your course and the centre charges 15% of the fee. Cancel within 48 hours and it charges 50%.
- You need 100% attendance to receive your certificate.
- A provisional booking is not a confirmed place.
- You need a certified copy of your ID.
- Meals are not included. There is a canteen on site.
Documents and costs
The other documents you will need
STCW is one part of getting to sea. Here are the other main documents a cruise line asks for, what each costs, and when to do it. Set Sail prepares your police clearance and your Seaman's Book application for you.
Police clearance
R190Official fee
On your own, you apply at a police station, where your fingerprints are taken and you pay the SAPS fee, and the SAPS backlog can stretch the wait to weeks or even months. With Set Sail or Set Sail Light, our agency gets it for you, usually within a few days. Recruiters want a certificate under 3 months old, so we time it for when you apply to the lines.
A few days with Set Sail
Seafarer medical
About R2 650Estimate
A fitness certificate from a SAMSA approved doctor, which SAMSA also needs for your Seaman's Book. About R2 650 for a standard SAMSA medical. Some lines want their own medical with blood tests, about R7 700. Lines often name the clinic, so ask us before you book one.
Before you join
Passport
About R600Estimate
From Home Affairs, and your starting point. It must be valid well beyond the end of your contract.
Do it first
US C1/D crew visa
USD 185Official fee
Needed for itineraries that call at the United States. You pay the application fee in US dollars and attend an in person interview at the US consulate in Johannesburg or Cape Town. A further USD 250 visa integrity fee may be added if the US starts charging it.
If your ship calls at the US
Seaman's Book
R959Official fee
Your seafarer record book, issued by SAMSA. Its form needs a letter from your employer, or from an MLC accredited agent, naming your vessel, plus a SAMSA medical, so it can only be lodged once you have a job offer. Not every line asks for a South African book, so check yours.
Only after a job offer
The main costs to get to sea, in one place
The centre's STCW prices to the cent, the official SAPS, SAMSA and US visa fees, honest estimates where there is no set fee, and what is simply your own cost. Our own Career Training Courses start at R2 500, and each course page shows its price.
| Cost | Who you pay | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCW Basic Safety TrainingCentre's pricePay the training centre. 4 modules, 9 days, at the centre's published price. | The training centre | Centre's price | R 9 799,31 |
| STCW Security AwarenessCentre's pricePay the training centre. 1 day, at the centre's published price. | The training centre | Centre's price | R 1 583,51 |
| Travel, accommodation and meals in Cape Town during STCWVariesIf you live elsewhere. There is a canteen at the centre. | You arrange it | Varies | Your own cost |
| Police clearanceOfficial feePay SAPS. The SAPS fee. On your own it can take weeks or even months while SAPS has a backlog; with Set Sail or Set Sail Light our agency gets it in a few days. | SAPS | Official fee | R 190 |
| Seafarer medicalEstimatePay a SAMSA approved doctor. About R2 650 for a standard SAMSA medical. Some lines want their own medical with blood tests, about R7 700. | A SAMSA approved doctor | Estimate | about R 2 650 |
| PassportEstimatePay Home Affairs. If you do not already have one. | Home Affairs | Estimate | about R 600 |
| US C1/D crew visaOfficial feePay the US consulate. The USD 185 application fee, with an in person interview in Johannesburg or Cape Town. A further USD 250 visa integrity fee may be added if the US starts charging it. | The US consulate | Official fee | USD 185 |
| Seaman's BookOfficial feeAfter your offerPay SAMSA. SAMSA's fee, paid only if you are offered a contract, when the application is lodged. | SAMSA | Official fee | R 959 |
| Flights to join the shipEstimatePay your airline. Often paid or reimbursed by the cruise line. | Your airline | Estimate | about R 12 000 |
Estimates are fair guides, not quotes. The visa fee is charged in US dollars, so its rand cost moves with the exchange rate.
Add it up for your roleFilmed at sea
Reviews from our students
Our students, filmed at sea in their own words. They sat where you sit now, and they tell it straight.
Swipe, or use the arrows, to browse our students
Our students
A wall of real momentum
Our students, on camera and in writing. Crew cards are backed by the clips above; written reviews come straight from our students.
Crew member
Landed her first contract
And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.
On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar
Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.
On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa
Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.
On camera
NP
Nicole P.
I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.
Written review
ZN
Zanele N.
The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.
Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.
I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.
Written review
DB
Dylan B.
The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.
Written review
CI
Cameron I.
The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.
Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.
I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.
Written review
AV
Anika V.
I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.
Written review
CB
Chloe B.
The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.
Written review
AM
Amahle M.
I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.
Written review
RJ
Reece J.
I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.
Written review
Crew member
Landed her first contract
And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.
On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar
Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.
On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa
Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.
On camera
NP
Nicole P.
I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.
Written review
ZN
Zanele N.
The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.
Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.
I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.
Written review
DB
Dylan B.
The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.
Written review
CI
Cameron I.
The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.
Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.
I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.
Written review
AV
Anika V.
I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.
Written review
CB
Chloe B.
The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.
Written review
AM
Amahle M.
I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.
Written review
RJ
Reece J.
I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.
Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa
Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.
On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil
Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.
On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa
I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.
On camera
SD
Sipho D.
What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.
Written review
JW
Jason W.
Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.
Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.
The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.
Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.
Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.
Written review
LM
Lerato M.
I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.
Written review
MH
Musa H.
I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.
Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.
I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.
Written review
YI
Yusuf I.
I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.
Written review
RP
Ruan P.
Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.
Written review
NG
Nosipho G.
When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.
Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa
Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.
On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil
Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.
On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa
I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.
On camera
SD
Sipho D.
What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.
Written review
JW
Jason W.
Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.
Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.
The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.
Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.
Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.
Written review
LM
Lerato M.
I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.
Written review
MH
Musa H.
I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.
Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.
I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.
Written review
YI
Yusuf I.
I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.
Written review
RP
Ruan P.
Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.
Written review
NG
Nosipho G.
When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.
Written review
Book your STCW
Your dates, booked at no charge
Tell Robin which modules you need and when you can attend. All 5 modules are R11 382,82 at the centre's price, paid to the centre.
Set Sail is R27 072,82 in total: the same 5 modules, your police clearance, your career path training and Crew Ready, with an academy member guiding you from the day you enrol.
Honest answers
Questions about STCW
What people ask us before they book. If yours is not here, message Robin and he will answer it straight.
Do you issue STCW certificates?+
No. Only SAMSA accredited centres issue STCW, and Cape Marine Academy is not one. We book your training at a SAMSA accredited maritime training centre in the Port of Cape Town, and the centre trains you and issues your certificates.
Who do I pay for my STCW?+
The centre. It invoices you directly at its published price, which is R11 382,82 for all 5 modules. We add nothing to it and charge nothing for booking your dates.
How soon can I start?+
Personal Survival Techniques and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities run three times a week. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid and Security Awareness run weekly. We book you onto the centre's next available dates. A provisional booking is not a confirmed place until the centre confirms it.
Which modules does a cruise ship job need?+
Every crew member needs Security Awareness. Most cruise lines ask hotel crew for the 4 Basic Safety Training modules as well, some only after a successful interview. Together they are the 5 modules Set Sail books. Some lines and roles also ask for passenger ship training, such as Crowd Management or Crisis Management, so check the line you are aiming at, or ask us.
Should I do STCW before I apply?+
Some lines only ask for STCW after a successful interview, so check the line you are aiming at before you book. Not sure? Ask us first.
How long is STCW valid?+
Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting must be refreshed every five years, and so must Crowd Management and Crisis Management. If you already hold older certificates, check their dates before you apply.