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STCW Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course – LISCR

Fully Online Liberian Registry (LISCR) Approved Maritime Security (ISPS) Designated Security Duties Course for Crew & Staff with Security-Related Duties (IMO Model 3.26)
The Online Proficiency in Designated Security Duties Course, also referred to as Vessel Security Duties (VSD), is to provide those crew and staff who perform Designated Security Duties with the necessary training that meets with the Knowledge, Understanding, and Proficiency (KUP) requirements, the 2010 Manila Amendments, and the provisions of Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Convention and Code, as well as Table A-VI/6-2, and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

About the Course

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.

About the Course

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 the Course

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.

Awarding Body

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.

Course Learning Outcomes

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.
Course Subjects

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.
Course Duration

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.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for attending this online course.

Taking the Course Online or Offline

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.

Bulk Purchases

Book your LISCR Approved STCW Designated Security Duties Course at VIRSEC, where you can learn about Maritime Security Training. If you have any questions about the course or any of our other Maritime Security Training 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.

Official Course Certificate
Certificate of Proficiency (LISCR)

Upon completion of and passing of the official assessments, you will be emailed the signed and stamped course certificate that has been Approved by the Liberian Registry (LISCR). You must print this certificate off and sign in the space provided in black ink to make the certificate official.

Hardcopy, Embossed Stamped Certificate

Learners have the additional option to request a hardcopy certificate with an embossed stamp to be delivered to their home address. There is an administration and certificate fee of £36 GBP (includes the VAT/tax). The emailed PDF version is officially recognised by the Liberian Registry (LISCR), and this is an additional service, but is not a mandatory requirement.

It’s important to note that VIRSEC assumes no responsibility for any loss or delay of the certificate once it’s dispatched via Royal Mail. If a Carrier Service is requested, relevant charges will apply, and all payments must be made before dispatch.

Certification Renewal

The certificate has a valid duration of five (5) years and must be renewed. This is a requirement of the Liberian Registry (LISCR).

Expedited Course Certificate Service

In instances where learners require expedited certificate processing, such as outside of office hours, on weekends, during holidays, or under special circumstances, a surcharge of £49.95 GBP (+VAT) will be applied. Payment will be processed via a Secure Payment Link, and all payments must be settled before the certificate is dispatched.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is this course Approved by a Flag State?
Yes, the fully online Proficiency in Designated Security Duties or PDSD Course, is fully Approved under the Liberian Registry (LISCR). The course complies with the requirements placed upon it by the STCW Convention & Code, the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, and meets with the Knowledge, Understanding & Proficiency (KUP) requirements laid out by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) and IMO Model Course 3.26
Can you take the course online or offline?
We provide you with the option to complete the course entirely online, as expected. Or via an offline capability accessible through an app, 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.
How long do I have to complete my online course?
All our courses have a six (6) month access licence applied to them. This licence commences the day the course is purchased, and not from the day you first access the course. You may however enter and exit the course as often as you like until both the course and assessment(s) are completed.
Do I need to take notes on the course?
There is no requirement to as VIRSEC provides you with a comprehensive set of Course Notes that you can download at the start of each of the Learning Outcomes. You can also use these notes to research any answers when taking the Official Assessment at the end of the course. However, if you wish to do so, that is your decision.
Is there a minimal time limit I must spend on this course?
Yes, under the relevant Agencies and Conventions, the Designated Security Duties is a 8-hour course. This excludes any video content we have included [for interest], viewing of any websites linked from the course or documents also linked from the course. We are allowed a variation in timings due to individual reading speeds, the time listed in 7 to 8 hours, and we will fail you if you exceed the allowed variance. Please also note that the Course Notes are purely there for reference and revision, and any time spent reading these do not count towards your time spent on the course. This is also covered in the course itself, so make sure you spend the time necessary to study properly.
Can I take breaks, or do I need to complete the course in one sitting?
You can take a break from the course at any time of your choosing. We also recommend that you have regular breaks and often build reminders into our courses. It is strongly recommended that if you are going to take a significant break, we recommend that you log out. The system will remember your progress so you may continue from that point when you log back in.
What happens if I don’t take long enough on the course?
If you complete the course in an unrealistic time (too quickly) or less than the minimum accepted time under the Awarding Body (see FAQ regarding this), we will have no alternative but to fail you. It is important that you treat this like you would any officially Approved course taught in a classroom environment. The fact that it is online is not reason to abuse the requirements. As stated in other FAQs, we do allow a slight variance in timings due to individual reading speeds.
I am an experienced mariner and/or an officer, does this make a difference?
No, we do not take into consideration your time served, nor your rank or position. This is an STCW ISPS Course, and there is an acceptable minimum time set by the relevant Awarding Body and Governing Bodies. If you abuse this, or do not meet with any of these requirements, you will fail the course regardless of the score achieved in the Assessment(s). You will be required to re-take the course and / or the associated assessments.
Is there an Official Assessment after the course?
On the Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course, we there is an official Assessment after the five Learning Outcomes. You must achieve a minimum score of 70% to enable you to pass the Assessment. The Assessment consists of randomly selected multiple-choice questions and true or false response questions drawn from two question banks. Additional details on assessments are available in the FAQs section of this page. It is an ‘open book’ based assessment, and you are allowed to use any notes made, or the official course notes downloads available to you during the assessment to research the correct answers.
Can I use my notes during an Official Assessment?
This is an ‘open book’ type assessment, and it is permissible to use any notes made, or the official course notes downloads available to you during the assessment to research the correct response or responses.
Do I need to submit any documentation?
Yes, you are required to submit an official form of ID such as a scan of your valid Seaman’s Book, passport, driving licence, or other official photo ID. This is to ensure you are who you state yourself to be, and so we can use this ID to collect the relevant information that will populate your official course certificate. It is very easy to do and will only take you around five minutes to do. You must make sure that this was submitted when you are prompted. Failure to do so may result in you being failed if no ID was submitted and the assessment taken.
Do I need to attend a Test Centre to take my assessment?
No, the course is 100% online and you are required to adhere to the strict requirements outlined in the course explanation as well as any requests made of you during the course such as completing and submitting your online Learner Verification. You are also required to take the Assessment under Invigilation. Please see the following FAQ on this for more details.
Do I need an Invigilator when taking my Official Assessment?
Yes, for the Designated Security Duties there is a requirement for an invigilator to be present. An Invigilator can be a Senior Officer on board the vessel, a Manager or immediate supervisor, or a person of good standing who has a professional qualification such as a lawyer. They must also submit their ID as detailed in the course. Failure to do so will result in your certificate being withheld, and you will be required to retake the Assessment under Invigilation by VIRSEC. If you do not have access to an Invigilator, please see the following FAQ regarding VIRSEC IRIS System.
What if I don’t have access to an Invigilator?
For learners who do not have access to an Invigilator on board the ship, Manager, Supervisor, or via a person in good standing (with a professional qualification), VIRSEC provide a FREE Individual Remote Invigilation Service (IRIS). You must contact us to arrange an Invigilation for you, and there are strict times that these are available. Failure to either have your own [approved] Invigilator, or attend an IRIS session will result in you failing the course.
What happens if I fail an Assessment?
If you fail an Assessment, you may retake it again straight away, or whenever you wish within the 6-month licence applicable to your course [licences commence the day the course is purchased, not the date they are accessed].
How do I receive my certificate when I pass?
When you complete the course correctly and pass the Official Assessment, we will verify your time spent on the course, your submitted ID, and your Official Assessment. Once we are satisfied, we will email you a secure PDF of your certificate that you must print off and sign. These PDFs are security encrypted to prevent any tampering with information placed on them, and so you must print them off to sign with as black pen. Please note that as this is a LISCR Approved course, you must recertify every 5 years.
I have left it to the last minute to take my course and need my certificate out of hours, what happens next?
VIRSEC are not responsible for you leaving your course until the last minute, and you run the risk of not receiving your certificate in the time needed. Certificates take up to 48 hours during the working week to turn around and should this fall over a weekend or a Bank Holiday, you may not receive the certificate until the next working day. If you require your certificate to be expedited, you may request this from VIRSEC, but we are under absolutely no obligation to do this and there will be an additional charge applied.
Is VIRSEC open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Support?
You are able to purchase courses and take them 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, as we are an online company, with access to both our e-Commerce website and Learning Management System [LMS]. However, the company is open during the hours listed on its website [0900 to 1700 hrs GMT/BST Monday to Thursday, 0900 to 1500 hrs Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday and Bank Holidays]. Limited out of hours support is available for minor issues. However, major support issue requests may be made, but will be managed during these listed office hours when the technical team are available. Is there an Online Chat Facility for Support Requests?
Is there an Online Chat Facility for Support Requests?
VIRSEC do have a Chat Facility on their website, and you may make a request for support. However, this is only manned during the hours listed on its website [0900 to 1700 hrs GMT/BST Monday to Thursday, 0900 to 1500 hrs Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday and Bank Holidays]. Responses to comments or enquiries may take up to 24 hours, or until the next working day as detailed.

Course Details

£75+vat

  • Duration:
    8 hours
  • Participation:
    Individual
  • Type:
    Fully Online
  • Certification:
    Liberian Registry (LISCR) Approved

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