MSC Course Descriptions

Government Vessels

Government Vessels

(35 hours)

This week includes the following courses: Shipboard Helo Firefighting, Marine Environmental Awareness, Damage Control, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological—Defense (CBR-D).  See below for course descriptions.  This 1 week of training is required of all students in the UA program during Phase 3.

Marine Environmental Awareness

Marine Environmental Awareness

(2 hours)

This course is designed as a module of the SHLSS Government Vessels Training Program; however, the course can also be used independently. The purpose of the Marine Environment course is to provide the student with an understanding of environmental protection, which includes MSC policies regarding compliance with regulations, pollution prevention, and spill conservation response readiness.

Prerequisites: No additional prerequisites

Damage Control

Damage Control

(2 hours)

This course is a module of the SHLSS Government Vessels Training Program and can also be utilized independently. The course provides the student understanding of the specific objectives of damage control and the knowledge and practical experience required for effective damage control operations. This is accomplished through classroom lecture and practical exercises.

Prerequisites: No additional prerequisites

Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense (CBR-D) Orientation

Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense (CBR-D) Orientation

(8 hours)

Students successfully completing this course will understand the triad of CBR survivability measures – equipment, detection, and decontamination – that must be taken to protect their ship and the crew. The primary focus of this course is the knowledge of Personal Protection Equipment, with an emphasis on survivability of the individual and the ship, and to impart confidence in their ability to survive and work in a contaminated environment for the rapid restoration of mission.

Prerequisites: No additional prerequisites

MSC Individual Small Arms Training and Qualification Course

MSC Individual Small Arms Training and Qualification Course

(32 hours)

This course meets the standards and content of OPNAVINST 3591.1 Series, Small Arms Training and Qualification and Course.  The purpose of MSC’s Individual Small Arms Training and Qualification Course is to provide CIVMARs, CONMARs, and shipboard contract security personnel with the knowledge, skills and abilities to safely, responsibly and effectively employ small arms in individual and unit self-defense of Department of Defense assets to the standards set by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commander, Military Sealift Command.

Prerequisites: MSC Security Watchstander Advanced

MSC Security Watchstander – Advanced

MSC Security Watchstander

(2 days)

This course is recognized as meeting the Military Sealift Command’s standard and content for MSC’s Security Watchstander Advanced course and meets the Dept of Defense Interservice nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructor course standards for Baton and Mechanical Advantage Control Holds.

Shipboard Helicopter Firefighting Team Member

Shipboard Helicopter Firefighting Team Member

(1 day)

This course provides tailored team training for mariners who may serve as a member of a ship’s flight deck organization. Topics covered are helicopter nomenclature and hazards associated with helicopter operations, classes of fire, personal protective equipment, flight deck firefighting equipment, helicopter pilot, crew and passenger rescue procedures, helicopter fire suppression and extinguishment procedures and techniques. Students drill and are assessed in the procedures and techniques of pilot rescue and helicopter fire suppression and extinguishment.

Prerequisites: No additional prerequisites

MSC Readiness Refresher

MSC Readiness Refresher

(35 hours)

This is a refresher course is composed of our current USCG approved 21-Hour Basic Training Renewal course (SHLSOS-69) and the assessment components of Helicopter Fire Fighting, Chemical, Biological–Radiological Defense (CBRD) and Damage Control (DC).  Marine Environmental Protection (MEP) is offered in the evenings as a self-study computer-based training administered through our Academic department. The course is intended for Civil Service Mariners and Contract Mariners who work aboard MSC-contracted ships.

Prerequisite: Basic Training, Damage Control, CBR-D and Helicopter Fire Fighting

The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the industry or the national interest. Seafarers should continue to consult each monthly edition of the Seafarers LOG for the most up-to-date course schedule.

For additional information, contact the Paul Hall Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; telephone (301) 994-0010. Please note that students should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates.

In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computer courses will be self-study.