MGN 718: New Mandatory PSSR Training – Have You Completed It?

Introduction

I recently came across MGN 718, issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in August 2026, and I suspect I’m not the only seafarer who hadn’t heard about it!

The notice introduces additional training requirements under STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR), covering the prevention of violence and harassment, including bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.

The changes originate from IMO Resolution MSC.560(108), which came into force on 1 January 2026. Although previous MCA guidance suggested existing seafarers would not require additional training, MGN 718 has revised that position.

Who Needs to Complete the New PSSR Training?

Under MGN 718, the additional training applies to seafarers required to hold PSSR certification, including: • Holders of UK PSSR certificates issued before 1 January 2026. • Holders of UK Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP). • UK-certified officers and ratings.

Anyone who completed an MCA-approved PSSR course on or after 1 January 2026 is already covered. Certain equivalent training completed under other IMO White List flag states may also be accepted, subject to the conditions in MGN 718.

The deadline for completing the additional training is 31 March 2027.

Failure to complete it could affect certificate revalidation, compliance during inspections and eligibility to work at sea. Your existing PSSR certificate does not automatically expire on this date, but you must be able to demonstrate that you’ve completed the new training.

Is the New PSSR Course Any Good?

Having recently completed the course myself, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a very well-made course, surprisingly engaging and informative for an online training module. I’ve certainly sat through much worse!

What struck me most, however, was just how relatable some of the content was. Thankfully, I can’t personally relate to the severity of some of the incidents presented in the case studies, but I think many of us who have spent years at sea will recognise aspects of the behaviour and culture being discussed.

Seafaring has always had its fair share of banter, colourful language and humour that perhaps wouldn’t be considered particularly politically correct ashore. Much of it is harmless, and the camaraderie between crew members is one of the things that makes working at sea enjoyable. But I think we’ve all witnessed occasions when jokes go a little too far, inappropriate comments are brushed aside, or behaviour becomes normalised simply because that’s the culture we’ve grown accustomed to.

The difficulty is recognising when something that seems harmless to one person is actually making somebody else uncomfortable.

The course does a good job of highlighting how these smaller behaviours can contribute to a culture where more serious incidents are tolerated or go unreported. For me, that’s where the real value lies. Not just another regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to reflect on how we treat the people we live and work alongside.

How to Complete the MGN 718 Training for Free

Thankfully, there’s no need to repeat the entire PSSR course. The MCA has arranged for OneOcean to provide a free online training module, available to UK seafarers.

To complete it:

1. Visit Ocean Technologies Group – Ocean Shop.

2. Search for course 0900 – Prevention and Response to Violence & Harassment, selecting the UK Certified Seafarers version.

3. Apply the discount code mca_prvh26 at checkout to make the course free.

4. Complete the 16 lessons, taking approximately one hour.

5. Download and retain your digital Verification of Training document as evidence of compliance.

There is no final examination, and the course can be completed on a computer or mobile phone. Employers should also ensure affected crew are made aware of the requirement and that training records are updated.

A Worthwhile Addition to STCW

It’s easy to view additional mandatory training as another box to tick, particularly when we’re already juggling an ever-growing collection of certificates and refresher courses. But having completed this one, I genuinely think it’s a worthwhile addition. Living and working together at sea presents challenges that aren’t always encountered ashore, and a positive onboard culture makes an enormous difference to everyone’s wellbeing.

So the message is simple: check whether you need to complete the course, get it done before 31 March 2027, and above all, be nice to each other out there!

Read the official MCA guidance: MGN 718 (M+F) – 2026 IMO Amendment to PSSR