Prevention of Violence and Harassment Onboard
From 1 January 2026, mandatory PSSR training includes for the first time a specific competence on preventing and responding to violence, sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault on board.
Operational Explanation
The STCW amendments in force from 1 January 2026 introduce a new mandatory minimum competence in Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) training, relating to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment on board, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault. The competence is inserted into Table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code and applies globally to all seafarers undertaking PSSR training from this date onward.
The training programme covers: what constitutes violence and harassment on board, the consequences for ship safety, crew wellbeing and mental health, risk factors (power imbalance, isolation, fatigue, stress, alcohol), the ability to recognise unacceptable behaviour at an early stage, reporting and intervention procedures, and the basic principles of a trauma-informed response for interacting correctly with victims and witnesses.
The Company side, not just the crew: alongside STCW training aimed at seafarers, a revision of the ISM Code Implementation Guidelines is under way that extends responsibility beyond individual training alone, requiring the Company to put in place dedicated organisational and shore-side infrastructure: confidential reporting channels distinct from general whistleblowing, with access to psychological support and victim assistance, and an explicit responsibility of the Company's management — not only the Master on board — to actively promote a culture of prevention. This is a complementary angle to the STCW competence alone: not "what the seafarer must be able to recognise", but "what the Company must actually put in place ashore" when a case arises.
Regulatory Reference
STCW Code, Table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities) — amendments adopted by resolution MSC.560(108) of 23 May 2024, in force from 1 January 2026, introducing the competence “Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault”. Training delivered from 1 January 2026 must meet the amended table. The amendments do not establish a five-year PSSR validity or revalidation cycle: the treatment of seafarers already trained, any updating courses and the form of documentary evidence follow the relevant Administration's implementation and the arrangements of approved training providers. To be kept separate: the revision of the ISM Code Implementation Guidelines runs to 2028 and is considering recommendations on the Company's shore-side responsibility — confidential reporting infrastructure, psychological support and victim assistance. These are proposals, not current ISM requirements; duties in this area may however already arise from the MLC, national law and Company procedures.
Scope of Application
Every seafarer undertaking PSSR training from 1 January 2026, and every Company responsible for putting in place prevention policies and reporting/intervention procedures for violence and harassment on board.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Verify that the PSSR courses delivered or required for your crew from 1 January 2026 include the new competence on violence and harassment.
- Put in place a clear company prevention policy, distinct from the general NC/whistleblowing reporting channels, specific to violence and harassment.
- Train personnel to recognise risk factors (power imbalance, isolation, fatigue, stress, alcohol) before they turn into an event.
- Put in place an intervention procedure based on trauma-informed response principles, to provide adequate support to victims and witnesses.
- Check, for crew already trained, what the flag Administration prescribes: the new competence applies to training delivered from 1 January 2026, and how those trained earlier are covered is settled by national implementation, not by the amendments.
Practical Example
Example: a Company updates its induction programme for new joiners to include a dedicated module on the risk factors for violence and harassment (isolation, fatigue, hierarchical power imbalance), distinct from general familiarization training, in line with the new PSSR requirements.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| PSSR training renewed without checking that it includes the new competence on violence and harassment required from 2026 | Certification formally completed but not compliant with the new STCW requirements | Always verify that the PSSR training provider has updated the programme according to Table A-VI/1-4 |
| Prevention of violence and harassment treated as a generic subcategory of whistleblowing, without dedicated policy and procedures | Reports of violence/harassment handled with procedures not suited to the specific sensitivity of the topic | Always put in place a specific policy and intervention procedure, distinct from the general NC reporting channels |
| Structural risk factors (isolation, fatigue, power imbalance) not proactively monitored on board | Problematic behaviour recognized only after it has already manifested in a serious event | Train personnel to recognise risk factors at an early stage, not only to respond to the event |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Always verify that PSSR courses delivered from 2026 include the new competence on violence and harassment; don't assume the training provider has updated it.
- Put in place specific prevention policies and intervention procedures for violence and harassment, distinct from the SMS's general NC reporting channels.
- Train personnel to recognise structural risk factors (isolation, fatigue, power imbalance) before they turn into an event.
Preparation checklist
Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.
- PSSR courses verified as updated to the new competence on violence and harassment (from 2026)
- Specific company prevention policy in place, distinct from general whistleblowing
- Structural risk factors communicated and monitored on board
- Intervention procedure based on trauma-informed response principles in place
- Validity of the crew's PSSR certificates checked against the new requirements
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 29 August 2026 · page fingerprint 9e03201ec53b