Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships Course

Online, ABS Approved, Maritime Safety Training for Crew & Staff for the Handling, Use and Safe Storage of Lithium-ion Batteries, Compliant with ISM Code 6.3 & 6.5, and STCW Reg. I/14 – 5

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly common on ships, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and cargo. While they offer many benefits, these batteries can also present significant dangers if handled improperly. The Lithium-Ion Battery Safety on Ships for Seafarers Course empowers maritime professionals with the knowledge and skills to mitigate risks and ensure safe operations.

About the Course

Lithium-ion batteries are rapidly becoming an integral part of modern maritime operations, powering a wide array of devices and systems from personal electronics like smartphones and laptops to larger applications such as electric vehicles (EV’s) and cargo-handling equipment. These batteries offer unparalleled benefits in terms of energy efficiency and performance, helping to reduce emissions and fuel costs. However, despite their advantages, lithium-ion batteries also pose unique safety challenges, particularly in the marine environments, where improper handling or storage can lead to serious hazards such as fires, explosions, or toxic gas release.

VIRSEC provides maritime training for an online “Lithium-Ion Battery Safety on Ships” course which empowers maritime professionals with the knowledge and skills to mitigate risks and ensure safe operations. This course is created in partnership with Mariner House, a consultancy run by established maritime author Captain Gerard Pollock, a Master Mariner with over 25+ years of experience in shipping, Port State Control (PSC) and maritime operations.

Aim of the Course

This course aims to equip learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to handle, store, and transport Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries safely on ships. Given the specific hazards associated with Lithium-ion batteries, including thermal runaway, chemical leakage, and potential fire and explosive risks, this course provides comprehensive guidance on best practices for safe storage, handling protocols, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. Learners will gain a clear understanding of the unique risks Lithium-ion batteries present in maritime environments and learn strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring the safety of crew, cargo, and vessel alike.

Awarding Body

Once the Learner has successfully completed this online course, they will receive an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Approved, Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships Certificate from VIRSEC.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

Identify at least five common locations where lithium-ion batteries are found on ships
Understand the risks associated with the carriage of EVs on RoRo’s, RoPax, Ferries, and PCTCs
Explain the basic functional processes of lithium-ion batteries
Recognise battery abuse conditions and at least three types of hazardous battery defects
Describe the characteristics of toxic and explosive gases emitted from lithium-ion batteries
Understand the hazards of thermal runaway and appropriate responses to battery fires
Evaluate the suitability of water-based fire suppression systems for lithium-ion battery fires
Identify at least two types of specialist equipment for containing and suppressing lithium-ion battery fires
Understand the best practices necessary for the safe loading, stowage and charging of EVs on RoRo, RoPax, Ferries, and PCTCs.

Course Subjects

The Online Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships Course includes the following subjects:

The development of Li-ion battery technology
How Li-ion batteries function
Where Li-ion batteries can be found on yachts
Recognising and preventing Li-ion battery abuse
The statutory need for hazard identification for Li-ion batteries
Toxic and explosive gas hazards
Fire and thermal runaway
Basic fire theory as applied to Li-ion battery fires
Fixed firefighting systems on yachts
Advanced equipment and solutions for tackling Li-ion fires
Safe battery storage handling and disposal
Safe battery charging practices

Compliance Statements

Adherence to the ISM Code

According to ISM Code 6.3, yacht managers are mandated to establish procedures ensuring personnel, particularly those in safety and environmental roles, are adequately familiarised with their duties. Our course fulfils this requirement by delivering comprehensive training in lithium-ion battery safety, demonstrating a commitment to meeting ISM Code obligations and ensuring personnel are well-versed in safety protocols.

Alignment with ISM Code 6.5 Standards

ISM Code 6.5 emphasises the importance of identifying and providing necessary training to support safety management systems. The “Lithium-ion Battery Safety Awareness for Superyachts” course aligns with this directive, offering thorough insights into lithium-ion battery safety to equip all personnel with essential training for safe superyacht operations.

Compliance with STCW Convention Regulation I/14-5

STCW Convention Regulation I/14 – 5 underscores the necessity for companies to acquaint seafarers with their duties, ship arrangements, equipment, and relevant procedures. Our course goes beyond theoretical frameworks by imparting practical knowledge essential for handling routine and emergency situations involving lithium-ion batteries. This empowers yacht managers to enhance crew competency in accordance with the STCW Convention.

Target Audience

This essential maritime training course is tailored for ship crew, officers, port personnel, MAIB, DPAs, emergency response teams, and shoreside managers interacting with lithium-ion batteries and EVs in the maritime environment. Whether you use battery-powered equipment, oversee EV loading or charging operations, or need to provide confident leadership in implementing safety procedures, this course is for you.

Course Duration

The duration of the online Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships Course is 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the individual reading speed of the Learner.

Bulk Purchases

Book your Online Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships Course at VIRSEC, where you can learn about Maritime Safety Training. If you have any questions about the course or any of our other Maritime Courses, please contact us to inquire about bulk purchasing and associated discounts. You can also call us on +44 (0)161 763 4427 and ask for Olivia or Cathy who will happily assist you.

Course Certificate

Upon successfully completing this online course, Learners will be able to open, save, and download a copy of the ABS Approved, Certificate of Course Completion provided in Partnership between VIRSEC and Mariner House.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is this course Approved?

Yes, this online course has been fully Approved by the American Bureau of Shipping.

How long do I have to complete my online course?

You have six months to complete this course. This starts from the date of purchase, and you can buy extensions to the course if you run out of time.

Do I need to take notes?

No, you do not need to take notes as we will provide notes for download in each lesson, but it is your decision if you wish to.

Is there an assessment?

When you have completed all eight lessons, there is a short 30-question multiple choice assessment at the end; you must attain 60% to pass this exam. You will have 30 minutes to complete the assessment.

What happens if I don’t pass the assessment?

Don’t worry! If, for some reason, you do not pass the assessment, you can revisit the section that you were unsure of to update your knowledge. Then, once you are ready, you can simply retake the assessment.

Do I need to attend a test centre to take the assessment?

This course is entirely online including the assessment, so no, you do not need to attend a test centre.

Do I need to submit any documents or ID?

No, the system uses your name to populate the end of course certificate, so please make sure that you use your full, correct name.

How do I receive my certificate when I pass?

On successfully passing your assessment, we will email you a digital copy of your course completion certificate.

Is there a minimum time limit I must spend on this course?

There is no minimum time required to complete this course. You can expect each of the eight lessons to take up to 45 minutes, depending on your reading speed.

Can I take breaks, or must I complete the course in one sitting?

Yes, of course! Each lesson is self-contained and focuses on one specific subject related to Li-ion battery safety. You can work through all eight lessons in one sitting or take individual lessons separately. It’s entirely up to you.

I am an experienced officer/Captain; is this course for me?

This course is designed to improve the knowledge of all persons responsible for superyacht safety. This means it is suitable for junior crew, senior officers, and Captains.

About taking Breaks

It is important to note that if you are going to take a break exceeding 5 minutes, it is strongly recommended that you log out of the course, as any prolonged period of time will cause the Learning Management System (LMS) to automatically close the course, but not save your progress in that particular lesson. VIRSEC will not accept any responsibility for this.

The Internet dropped out and my course didn’t save, why?

If your Internet connection drops out, your course will automatically close. It is advisable to fully log out and back in again to ensure the course runs correctly. However, your progress in whichever uncompleted part of the course you was in will not be saved. This is outside of our control, as it is down to your Internet, and VIRSEC accepts no responsibility for this.