STCW Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course – LISCR

This Designated Security Duties Course has been written to explain the security requirements and knowledge required under the Liberian Registry to those crew or staff engaged onboard ship who have been assigned with Security Duties as detailed within the Ship Security Plan, and are answerable to the Ship Security Officer. This course provides all the required foundational knowledge as detailed in STCW Guidance, MNTB KUPs, IMO Model Course 3.26, and the ISPS Code.

The aim of this online Proficiency in Designated Security Duties Course, also known as Vessel Security Duties (VSD) is to give those undertaking designated security duties on board ship the essential education and training meeting the Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements set out in STCW Table A-VI/6-2, which supports Chapter XI-2 of the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, as amended and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course is fully approved by the Liberian Registry (LISCR) and holds international recognition and acceptance. It encompasses the 2010 Manila Amendments and aligns with the requirements of Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Convention and Code, as well as Table A-VI/6-2. Please confirm with your company that they accept this course as detailed in the IMO Whitelist.

The Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD] Course approved by the Liberian Registry (LISCR) aligns with the Learning Outcomes established by the Merchant Navy Training Board [MNTB].

1. Know why ship security is important and knows the roles and responsibilities of the organisations and individuals involved.
2. Know what constitutes a security risk, threat and vulnerability to the ship, its personnel, cargo, and operations.
3. Understand the capabilities and limitations of security methods, equipment, and systems.
4. Know how to maintain the measures in a ship security plan and related requirements.
5. Maintain the effectiveness of security arrangements, procedures, and equipment at the three security levels, considering their limitations.

The LISCR Approved Designated Security Duties consists of the following subjects: 

1. The Development of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
2. Understand the relevant international conventions, codes and recommendations relating to Maritime Piracy & Armed Robbery against Shipping.
3. Understand the roles and responsibilities of relevant bodies and organisations.
4. The roles and responsibilities of Contracting Governments, Designated Authorities, and Recognised Security Organisations.
5. The Security Roles & Responsibilities of Crew and Port Security Personnel.
6. Measures and Procedures for Maritime Security [MARSEC] Levels.
7. Recognition of weapons, dangerous substances, and devices.
8. Recognition of persons who may pose a threat to the security of the ship.
9. Identifying techniques used to circumvent security measures.
10. The handling of Sensitive Security-Related Information [SSRI] and Communications.
11. Identifying security threats including Maritime Piracy & Armed Robbery against Shipping.
12. Security methods, equipment & systems.
13. Security monitoring, monitoring equipment & systems.
14. The Ship Security Alert System [SSAS].
15. The Ship Security Plan [SSP].
16. The provisions for maintaining security.
17. Criteria for setting Maritime Security [MARSEC] Levels under the ISPS Code.
18. Actions to prevent weapons, dangerous substances and devices being brought on board.
19. Guidance and measure for Anti-Piracy and Anti-Armed Robbery.
20. Responses to Emergency Situations including Maritime Piracy & Armed Robbery against Shipping.
21. Physical Searches & Non-Intrusive Inspections.
22. Crowd Management & Control Requirements.
23. Emergency Drills & Exercises.

The online Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course duration is approximately 8 hours. This is mandatory under STCW requirements, the MNTB, and LISCR. However, a slight variation is accepted due to different reading speeds of individual learners, and this minimum time must be met along with the relevant assessment(s) in order to successfully complete this course.

There are no prerequisites for attending this online course.

You have the option to complete the course entirely online, as expected. Additionally, we offer an offline capability through an app, accessible via Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can download the course to the app and study even while at sea or in areas with poor internet connectivity. Once you return to land or a location with good signal quality, you can upload the course to the system and synchronise it with your user area on the LMS [https://virseclms.org]. For further information on accessing the course(s) offline, please reach out to us at training@virsec.org.