Advanced Fire Fighting Course

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OVERVIEW

This is the training handbook for the “Advanced Training in Firefighting” course, run by PT Hugos Maritime Services together with STIP and approved by the Panama Maritime Authority, under STCW Regulation VI/3, Section A-VI/3 and Table A-VI/3. The course lasts 31 hours over 4 days (10 theory, 21 practical, including an exam), with up to 20 participants. Entry requires a Fire Prevention and Fighting certificate and a medical certificate. To pass, students need 90% attendance and a final score of at least 71 (written exam 40%, practical exam 60%). The instructor must be a deck or engine officer (or a firefighter with ship knowledge), trained as an instructor (I/6), and hold a valid advanced firefighting certificate. Its four competences cover controlling firefighting operations on board (fire hazards, engine room and boiler fires, dangerous goods, use of water and stability, communication, ventilation, injured persons, coordination with shore firefighters), organizing and training firefighting crews (contingency plans, drills, tactics for different ship areas), inspecting and maintaining fire detection and suppression systems and equipment (detectors, hoses, nozzles, extinguishing agents, breathing apparatus, leadership in emergencies), and investigating and reporting fire incidents. The goal is for seafarers to take control of firefighting operations, organize fire crews, inspect fire systems, and investigate and report fires.

OBJECTIVE

The course aims to meet the requirements of Regulation VI/3, Section A-VI/3 and Table A-VI/3 of the STCW’78 Convention, as amended. At the minimum level of advanced firefighting proficiency, seafarers should be able to:

Take control and organize the fire control equipment arranged on board.
Control and monitor firefighting operations.
Apply knowledge of fire prevention.
Inspect fire detection equipment and systems.
Investigate and report fire-related incidents on board.

The four competencies it targets are:

Control firefighting operations on board.
Organize and train firefighting crews.
Inspect and maintain fire detection and extinguishing systems and equipment.
Investigate and collect information on fire events.