---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 12.602"
title: "46"
number: "12.602"
heading: "Basic Training."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/12.602"
---

# §12.602. Basic Training.

- (a) Applicants seeking an STCW rating endorsement must provide evidence, with their application, of meeting the standard of competence for Basic Training (BT) as described below:
  - (1) Personal survival techniques, as set out in Table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see [§ 12.103](/cfr/46/12.103.md) of this part).
  - (2) **Fire prevention and firefighting, as set out in Table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code.**
  - (3) **Elementary first aid, as set out in Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code.**
  - (4) **Personal safety and social responsibilities, as set out in Table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code.**
- (b) Every 5 years, seafarers qualified in accordance with [§ 12.601(a)](/cfr/46/12.601.md?p=a) must provide evidence of maintaining the standard of competence for Basic Training (BT).
- (c) The Coast Guard will accept onboard training and experience, through evidence of 1 year of sea service within the last 5 years for the following areas:
  - (1) **Personal survival techniques, as set out in Table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code—**
    - (i) **Donning a lifejacket.**
    - (ii) **Boarding a survival craft from the ship, while wearing a lifejacket.**
    - (iii) **Taking initial actions on boarding a lifeboat to enhance chance of survival.**
    - (iv) **Streaming a lifeboat drogue or sea-anchor.**
    - (v) **Operating survival craft equipment.**
    - (vi) **Operating location devices, including radio equipment.**
  - (2) **Fire prevention and firefighting, as set out in Table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code—**
    - (i) **Using self-contained breathing apparatus.**
    - (ii) Performing a rescue in a smoke-filled space, using an approved smoke-generating device aboard, while wearing a breathing apparatus.
  - (3) **Elementary first aid, as set out in Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code.**
  - (4) **Personal safety and social responsibilities, as set out in Table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code.**
- (d) The Coast Guard will only accept evidence of approved assessments conducted ashore for the following areas:
  - (1) **Personal survival techniques, as set out in Table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code—**
    - (i) **Donning and use an immersion suit.**
    - (ii) **Safely jumping from a height into the water.**
    - (iii) **Righting an inverted liferaft while wearing a lifejacket.**
    - (iv) **Swimming while wearing a lifejacket.**
    - (v) **Keeping afloat without a lifejacket.**
  - (2) **Fire prevention and firefighting as set out in Table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code—**
    - (i) **Using various types of portable fire extinguishers.**
    - (ii) **Extinguishing smaller fires.** e.g., electrical fires, oil fires, and propane fires.
    - (iii) **Extinguishing extensive fires with water, using jet and spray nozzles.**
    - (iv) **Extinguishing fires with foam, powder, or any other suitable chemical agent.**
    - (v) **Fighting fire in smoke-filled enclosed spaces wearing self-contained breathing apparatuses.**
    - (vi) Extinguishing fire with water fog or any other suitable firefighting agent in an accommodation room or simulated engine room with fire and heavy smoke.
    - (vii) Extinguishing oil fire with fog applicator and spray nozzles, dry chemical powder, or foam applicators.
- (e) Applicants who cannot meet the requirement for 1 year of sea service within the last 5 years, as described in [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, will be required to meet the requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section or complete approved or accepted refresher training.

## Notes

### Amendments

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93103, Nov. 25, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 2110, 7301, 7302, 7503, 7505, 7701, and 70105; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 77975, Dec. 24, 2013, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93103, Nov. 25, 2024]