This Designated Security Duties (PDSD) course is specifically designed for those Superyacht crew members, reporting to the Ship Security Officer, who will carry out designated security duties and responsibilities, functioning under the ISPS Code and encountering security-related incidents whilst at sea or berthed in port. The associated threats from armed robbers, intruders, specific threats from paparazzi, such as the invasion of privacy and harrassment are common-place in this industry. Whilst the threats associated with Maritime Piracy are not as common for Superyachts, this threat cannot and must not be discounted. Other threats may be more subtle in nature from intoxicated guests and owners, which require specific skill sets to deal with effectively.
About the Online PDSD Course
The Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course for Superyacht Crew & Staff will develop their ability to carry out all their security responsibilities in accordance with the ISPS Code, associated Manila Amendments and in compliance with the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Knowledge, Understanding & Proficiency, the STCW Convention and IMO Model Course 3.26 and is key to ensuring that those persons performing the role of crew with designated security duties fully understand their role and associated responsibilities under the Ship Security Plan whilst the vessel is in port or at sea.
Awarding Body
This online PDSD Course is fully approved and certified under the UK Department for Transport Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and meets with STCW Reg VI/6. paragraph 4 and Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended and incorporates Proficiency in Security Awareness laid down in STCW Reg. VI/6, paragraph 1 Section A.VI/6, paragraph 4.
Target Audience
To give those undertaking designated security duties on board yachts with the essential education and training meeting the Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements set out in the following STCW table, 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.
Pre-Requisites
There is no intake restriction, although some sea going experience would be an advantage before undertaking a designated security duties course, and neither is there a requirement for the learner to have completed security awareness training before being enrolled on a designated security duties training course.
Regulations Addressed
VIRSEC's Designated Security Duties Course has been developed with the following considerations:
Course Learning Outcomes
Know why yacht security is important and knows the roles and responsibilities of the organisations and individuals involved.
Know what constitutes security risk, threat and vulnerability to the yacht, its personnel and operations.
Understand the capabilities and limitations of security methods, equipment and systems.
Know how to maintain the measures in a Ship Security Plan and related requirements.
Maintain the effectiveness of security arrangements, procedures and equipment at the three security levels, considering their limitations.
Course Duration
The course lasts for approximately 8 hours depending on the learner’s abilities and reading speed. However, you can enter and exit this course as often as you require.
Course Subjects
Official PDSD (Superyachts) Course Certification
The online Designated Security Duties (PDSD) Course for Superyacht Crew & Staff is fully approved by the UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is internationally recognised and accepted. It includes the 2010 Manila Amendments and conforms to Regulation VI/6, paragraph 4 and Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended and incorporates Proficiency in Security Awareness laid down in Regulation VI/6 and Section A-VI/6 of the STCW Convention and Code and has also met the additional criteria specified in the STCW Convention and Code, applicable to the issue of this certificate.
Learners will receive an electronic copy of the official course certificate (in PDF format) upon successful completion of the course, and they can request a hardcopy certificate to be posted to their home address for a small administration and postage charge.
Yes, many of our courses carry internationally-recognised and accepted certification such as the STCW ISPS Courses we offer. We have to date, sold our courses into 110 countries around the world.
There are no actual pre-requisites for anyone who wishes to attend this PDSD Course but some exposure to maritime operations is an advantage. Other than you are required to also demonstrate a good understanding of the English Language which is a requirement of the UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
Yes, the online PDSD Course is fully Approved under the UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the official certificate contains the required wording: Regulation VI/6, paragraph 4 and Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended and incorporates Proficiency in Security Awareness laid down in Regulation VI/6 and Section A-VI/6 of the STCW Convention and Code and has also met the additional criteria specified in the STCW Convention and Code, applicable to the issue of this certificate. This Certificate is issued under the authority of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.
You course access is granted for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase, not from the first time you access it. You must complete the course within this time period as the system will close your course off after this period of time. This access licence will expire upon 12 months, or successful completion of the course itself, whichever comes first.
The PDSD Course is expected to take in the region of 6 to 8 hours pending your understanding of the subjects, and your reading / learning speed.
No, as with any of our courses, you may enter and exit the PDSD Course at any time and then re-commence where you left off. However, for the official assessments which you must complete in one sitting or the assessment you are taking will reset if you exit before completing it.
No, we have included a set of very comprehensive and high-quality Course Notes. These are to assist you on the course and are for revision and reference use only. These Course Notes do not replace the requirement for you to spend the expected learning time on the course.
The PDSD Courses include five official online assessments as per the requirement under the UK DfT Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Each assessment is made up of multiple choice and true or false answers. Questions within each assessment are randomised and taken from a larger bank of questions. You may take these assessments as many times as are required to pass the course.
Once you have successfully purchased your PDSD Course, you are automatically sent two emails. One will be your Booking Confirmation email that details the course you have bought and your payment information (restricted) and personal details. The second email contains your uniquely coded login link. Sometimes this ends up in the customers spam or junk email folder, so if you do not receive this email, please check here first as you are most likely to find it. The email will come from VTC Training Wing, with the subject field containing the words ‘course enrolment’.
The course itself is cleverly constructed to go over important points more than once. The customer service I received was instant and helpful. Most importantly, I don’t feel like I just got the certificate, I feel that I have a good understanding of all subjects covered by this course. I will recommend it to all my colleagues.
This has been referred to me by everyone I know and I shall refer it to anyone I know or come across.
I would have done this course long ago if I knew how helpful it would be. I have been a professional yachtsman for 5 years with only a PST. It seems like this course is far underrated and under-marketed. I would make sure that I do more of these courses which are similarly helpful in the future.
I was unsure of making the decision to do this course online instead of in an actual classroom, turns out I do not regret my final decision as this course succeeded my expectations. I also made a minor mistake when I purchased the course, but after contacting them through email asking if it was possible for them to help me; they had it fixed in 10 minutes! I only have good words to say about this whole experience with Virtual Training Centre.
This was a great course! Due to my circumstance and COVID-19, this way of conducting the course was perfect. The course itself was well set out and the methods of learning, videos and examples etc. was great. Highly recommend the course to anyone considering it.
I found the course really clear and easy to follow. The use of buttons, images and videos really breaks up the large amount of information they provide. The interface is simple to use and the whole process was really straightforward.
This is my second time completing a course by Virtual Training Centre, and I have had a great experience once again! The course outline and setup is amazing, informative and easy to comprehend. I would highly recommend Virtual Training Centre!
Many, many thanks for sending me the Certificate in such a short time, I am very grateful. I did enjoy the training (content and display), I am happy with the knowledge I gained but most of all I appreciate the Excellent Customer Care. It is so reassuring to know that you can be assisted so quickly when needed, to be acknowledged when sending an email. I will gladly recommend the platform when the opportunity arises. A huge 'Thank you'.
Excellent and thorough course. Provides you with all the info to pass the course confidently!
The course was very helpful in learning about maritime security. I think every seafarer should complete this course!
How do you make a course like the PDSD tolerable let alone interesting? It’s very difficult! Virtual Training Centre have given it a good shot. The course is well laid out and easy to follow, and if you make a mistake, then go back and try it again, it’s the best way to learn. When I called them to clarify some points that I had, they were clear, helpful and polite. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again if I needed to.
£195.00 Ex VAT
Virtual Training Centre are dedicated to delivering only the very highest standard of cost-effective, flexible, online training to our customers.
