Commercial
courses

ESS is essential if you want a career in the maritime industry and it is a compulsory component of the maritime qualifications listed below.

• MAR10220 - Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)
• MAR10418 - Certificate I in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal)
• MAR20321 - Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
• MAR20421 - Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal)
• MAR30821 - Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal)
• MAR30921 - Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal)

Recreational boat owners, volunteer crews, sailing club members and competitive sailors should also consider this course for safety reasons.

Please note that parts of this course are strenuous, and students need to be physically fit for the survival life raft and fire-fighting drills as they require active participation.

Our mission is to provide exceptional maritime training that creates real employment outcomes for our students.

• We train on the water
  Our campuses are conveniently located close to waterways so you can walk out of the classroom and onto a vessel for practical, on-board training.
• You can study full-time or part-time
  You have the choice to study your course all in one go or do it in blocks of time so it’s convenient for whenever you can get the time off work. Talk to us and we’ll make a plan that works for you.
• Pay as you go with flexible payment plans
  You can pay your course fees in full or by instalments over the term of your course duration.
• We have a Job Register
  When you graduate you’ll be automatically added to our Job Register and emailed when positions become vacant in the industry, providing you opportunities for part-time and full-time work.
• Trainers are experienced seafarers
  Our professional maritime trainers and assessors are qualified and experienced seafarers aboard a variety of commercial vessels. Our students are guaranteed a high level of education that combines traditional classroom teaching with practical, on-board training.
• Under new management since 2013
  Since taking over Sea School, we’ve had over 400 graduates successfully complete our courses. We are an AMSA compliant, quality-driven RTO that offers you the best training and career pathways.

• $750
• Course duration 3 days
  (some locations may offer 2 days duration - check timetable for confirmation)
• The course runs from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day

For government funding and incentives, please refer to the New South Wales government funding page or the Queensland government funding page.

Fee Payment

A deposit of $500 is to be paid on enrolment to hold your place on the course. Course fees are due to be paid in full on course commencement. You will be invoiced upon enrolment.

You can pay by credit card, cash or by electronic funds transfer. Instalment payment plans are available upon application.

Please complete our online commercial course enrolment form. After receiving your enrolment, we will then email you a booking confirmation with a request to pay a deposit to ensure your place on the course.

Please review the Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skill requirements for our courses. We will issue you with a LLN test that must be completed prior to course commencement. This test will reveal if you require any extra support through your training and a training plan will be drawn up for you. Please feel free to contact us if you feel you may need extra support.

If you need to cancel your course due to an emergency or work, be assured your course enrolment can be transferred to another date, course or person within a 12 month period or, you can apply for a refund in extenuating circumstances.

To receive the Statement of Attainment for Elements of Shipboard Safety you must demonstrate competency in all units and meet all course requirements.

If you don’t achieve competency in some of the units, Sea School’s Competency Not Achieved Assessment Policy allows you to return to attend specified classes to re-sit training and/or assessments at no cost within a 12 month period. Should you not complete the whole course then you will receive a statement of attainment for the units you’ve completed.

The Elements of Shipboard Safety Skill Set is made up of 4 units of competency:

• MARF027
  *Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
• MARF028
  Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
• MARF029
  Meet work health and safety requirements
• MARF030
  *Survive at sea using survival craft

All of our assessments are conducted through online software in class.

Meet work, health and safety requirements

• AMSA Code of Safe Working Practices
• Observe and respond to safety and emergency operations
• Identify and observe hazards, emergency alarms, and ways to control damage on board
• Workplace practices aboard a commercial vessel

Fire Theory and Practical

• Know the classes of fire and extinguishing agents to respond to a fire or other emergencies
• Fixed fire suppression systems, SCBA self contained breathing apparatus
• How to operate portable fire fighting equipment. Water, CO2, Dry chemical powder, Foam and Fire blanket
• Fire practical (at nearby location or aboard a commercial vessel)
• Programmed assessments

Shipboard safety theory

• Communication methods
• How to operate lifesaving and survival equipment; activating an EPIRB
• Tasks aboard a life raft or boat
• Safety signs
• Abandon ship tasks and order
• Safety equipment knowledge

Practical on board the training vessel

• Stowage and induction
• How to use a fire extinguisher
• Safety equipment location and check and terminology
• Keeping a sharp lookout, man overboard, first aid
• Anchor or mooring tasks
• Simulated abandon ship drill and muster
• Life-saving equipment preparation and knots
• Donning the jacket, jump from ship; in-water tasks and techniques
• Righting and boarding the life raft and the necessary teamwork to survive
• Paddling and bailing a life raft
• Assist others aboard

• Credit Transfers (CT) are granted if you have successfully completed a course that contains the same units as the Sea School course you've enrolled in. You may apply for a CT by providing evidence in the form of a transcript and if CT is granted, you may be exempted from some or all of the coursework.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is based on your work history, sea time and previous studies. You may apply for RPL if you can provide sufficient evidence with a minimum currency of 5 years. An assessor will make a judgement on the evidence provided and if RPL is granted, you may be exempted from some or all of the coursework. A competency conversation interview may be required as part of your portfolio of evidence.

Signing your enrolment form acknowledges your understanding of your rights, obligations and acceptance of Sea School’s terms and conditions. Sea School course costs, timetable, course content, policies and procedures are subject to change without notice. You are required to read the detailed terms and conditions information on our website.