If you’ve been told you need a PDSD certificate before you can join a yacht — or you’ve seen it listed on a job description and have no idea what it means — this guide covers everything. And if you want to understand why it actually matters on board, not just on paper, read what Drazen — Chief Officer on 100m superyachts — has to say about it below. PDSD stands for Proficiency in Designated Security Duties. It is a mandatory STCW certification required for any crew member who has specific security duties assigned under the vessel’s Ship Security Plan. On commercial superyachts, that means virtually every member of the working crew — deck and interior alike.
PDSD is included in all Yachtiecareers training packages — both standard and premium — as part of our 10-day all-inclusive STCW training in Split, Croatia. If you only need PDSD on its own, you can also complete it online as a standalone course. If you’re building your full certification from scratch, read our complete STCW guide for yacht crew first — PDSD sits within the broader STCW framework and makes more sense with that context.
From Drazen — Chief Officer, 100m Superyachts
Every deck crew member on a commercial yacht does gangway watches and security rounds — it is not optional, it is not occasional, it is part of your daily routine in every marina we stop at. When a new crew member steps on board already knowing the ISPS procedures, how to log a security round properly, how to control access at the gangway, and how to lock down the yacht correctly for the owner — that impresses me. That tells me you are going to be good at your job from day one. We run ISPS security drills on board every month. The crew who stand out are the ones who already understand what we are doing and why, not the ones learning it for the first time during the drill. PDSD gives you that foundation before you ever set foot on the vessel. And this is not just for deckhands. Stewardesses are required to know all security duties and participate in security rounds — the interior of the yacht is part of the security perimeter. A chief stewardess expects her team to know ISPS procedures just as much as I expect my deck crew to know them. Do not assume this is a deck department certificate only. Get it done before you apply. The captains and chief officers you will be working for notice.
— Drazen, Chief Officer, 10 years on 100m superyachts
What Is PDSD?
Proficiency in designated security duties (PDSD) is mandatory for any crew member with designated security duty on-board the vessel that comply with ISPS. PDSD course is approved by the UK Maritime and coastguard agency and is internationally recognized which adds to its authorization. It is a mandatory training prerequisite under STCW ISPS. The course exists because commercial yachts operating under the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) must have trained crew capable of carrying out defined security functions. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) oversees PDSD certification for UK-flagged vessels, and MCA-accepted training is recognised across flag states internationally.
Who Needs a PDSD Certificate on Yachts?
You need PDSD if:
- You work on a commercially operated yacht over 500GT
- The Yacht operates on international voyages
- You have designated security duties in the Ship Security Plan
In practice this covers almost every crew member on a commercial superyacht. Deck crew carry out gangway watches and security rounds in every marina. Stewardesses carry out interior security duties and rounds. Both departments are part of the vessel’s security plan — both need PDSD. Do not wait for an employer to sponsor it. Most captains will not shortlist candidates who are missing STCW compliance, and PDSD is part of that compliance. For a full breakdown of what you need to start, see our guides on how to get a yacht stewardess job and how to get a deckhand job on yachts.
What PDSD Looks Like on a Real Superyacht
This is where PDSD stops being a certificate and becomes something you actually use every day.
Gangway watches in marinas. Every time the yacht is in port, deck crew rotate gangway watches. You are the first and last point of contact for anyone boarding or leaving the vessel. Controlling access correctly — logging visitors, checking IDs, managing the boarding procedure — is a designated security duty. Crew who do this well, who run a tight gangway, build a reputation quickly. Crew who have not been trained struggle and it shows.
Security rounds. Deck crew conduct regular security rounds of the exterior — checking access points, looking for anything out of place, ensuring the vessel is properly secured. Stewardesses conduct interior security rounds — checking that restricted spaces are locked, guest areas are properly secured, and that nothing has been left unsecured in sensitive areas of the yacht.
Locking down the yacht for the owner. When a private owner boards or disembarks, the security posture of the vessel changes. The crew responsible for implementing that lockdown — controlling who is on board, who has access to which areas, ensuring the owner’s privacy and the security of the vessel — are operating directly under the Ship Security Plan. PDSD training is what gives you the framework to do this correctly.
Monthly ISPS drills. Commercial superyachts run ISPS security drills every month. These are logged, recorded, and reviewed. Crew who have completed PDSD training already understand the drill structure, the MARSEC alert levels, and their role before the whistle is blown. First-time crew who have not done PDSD are learning the basics during a timed drill — that is not a good look in front of the captain and chief officer.
PDSD Is Included in All Yachtiecareers Training Packages
Because PDSD is required by almost every superyacht, we include it as standard in every training package — both stewardess and deckhand, standard and premium. You do not pay extra for it and you do not need to book it separately. Our 10-day all-inclusive STCW training in Split, Croatia covers your complete certification package: STCW Basic Safety, PDSD, Security Awareness, Food Hygiene Level 2, your medical certificate, yacht-specific skills training, a professional CV, and full job search support from day one. You leave ready to apply immediately.
Stewardess Training Packages — PDSD Included
- Stewardess Full STCW — Complete STCW certification including PDSD, 8 stewardess skills modules, Food Hygiene Level 2, ENG1 medical equivalent, CV session and job search support. 10 days in Split.
- Stewardess Premium — Everything in the Full package plus 7 nights crew accommodation, Crowd and Crisis Management for large yachts, professional CV writing, business cards, discharge book assistance, B1/B2 visa letter support, and dual access to deckhand training.
View all stewardess training packages and upcoming dates →
Deckhand Training Packages — PDSD Included
- Deckhand Full STCW — Complete STCW certification including PDSD, practical onboard yacht familiarisation, seamanship and deck skills modules, CV session and job search support. 10 days in Split.
- Deckhand Premium — Everything in the Full package plus 7 nights crew accommodation, Crowd and Crisis Management, professional CV writing, business cards, discharge book and visa support.
View all deckhand training packages and upcoming dates → All packages include 24/7 support and hands-on job search assistance from day one. We help you with agency registration, dockwalking strategy, CV, and interview preparation until you land your first contract. Book a free call with our team to find out which package is right for you, or read what our students say on our reviews page.
Just Need PDSD online on Its Own before stepping on board a Yacht ?
If you already have your full STCW Basic Safety training and only need to add PDSD, you can complete the PDSD course online as a standalone qualification. It is MCA-accepted, fully online, takes approximately 8 hours, and your certificate is issued within 24 hours of passing. If you are starting from scratch, the full training package is the better choice — PDSD is included at no extra cost alongside every other certification you need, plus accommodation, job search support, and everything else in one programme.
What Does the PDSD Course Cover?
The PDSD course is built around five core learning outcomes defined by STCW Section A-VI/6-2:
- The importance of ship security and the role of designated crew — The threats commercial vessels face (piracy, stowaways, smuggling, terrorism risk) and your specific responsibilities as crew with designated security duties.
- Recognising security threats and suspicious behaviour — How to identify indicators of a security incident, what to do when you spot something, and how to escalate correctly through the chain of command.
- Security equipment, systems, and procedures — On-board security hardware: alarms, CCTV, access control, gangway procedures. How to operate them under the direction of the Ship Security Officer.
- Maintaining security arrangements under the Ship Security Plan — How the Ship Security Plan works, the three MARSEC alert levels, your role at each level, and how to carry out security rounds and access control.
- Effectiveness of security arrangements and reporting — Assessing whether security measures are working, reporting failures, and communicating with the captain, flag state, and port authorities during an incident.
How Is the PDSD Course Assessed?
Assessment uses true/false and multiple-choice questions built into the course, with a minimum pass mark of 70%. For the online version, questions appear throughout the modules as you progress — you are tested on each section while the material is fresh rather than in a single exam at the end.
What Certificate Do You Receive?
On passing you receive an MCA-accepted PDSD certificate meeting STCW Convention Section A-VI/6-2:
- Issued as a secure digital PDF — typically within 24 hours of completing the standalone online course
- Hard copy embossed certificate available on request
- Internationally recognised across flag states
- Accepted for commercial yachts operating under the ISPS Code
Keep originals and have certified copies made. Captains and crew managers will ask for them during the hiring process.
PDSD for Stewardesses — Why It Applies to the Interior Too
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of PDSD. Many aspiring stewardesses assume security duties are a deck department matter. They are not. Stewardesses are required to know all security duties and participate in security rounds. The interior of the yacht — the owner’s quarters, guest cabins, the salon, storage areas, service corridors — is part of the vessel’s security perimeter. Interior security rounds, controlled access to sensitive spaces, ensuring restricted areas are properly locked when the owner is not on board: these are stewardess responsibilities under the Ship Security Plan. Chief stewardesses expect their team to know ISPS procedures. During monthly security drills, interior crew are assessed alongside deck crew. PDSD is not a box-tick for stewardesses — it is a working requirement. For the full picture on what you need to start a stewardess career: how to get a yacht stewardess job.
PDSD vs Security Awareness — What Is the Difference?
Security Awareness (STCW Section A-VI/6-1) is required for all seafarers. It is a shorter introductory module covering basic maritime security — types of threats, your general responsibilities, and how to report concerns. Most crew complete this as part of their standard STCW basic safety training week.
PDSD (STCW Section A-VI/6-2) is required for crew with specific designated security duties in the Ship Security Plan. More detailed, more operationally focused, and assessed to a pass standard. Commercial superyacht crew need both. Both are included in all Yachtiecareers stewardess and deckhand training packages. See also our STCW basic safety guide for a full breakdown of every module in the training week.
Does PDSD Expire?
PDSD does not have a mandatory revalidation period under current STCW rules, unlike Basic Safety Training which requires a five-year refresher. Individual flag states and employers may impose their own requirements. Check the MCA’s official guidance on STCW certification for the current position on UK-flagged vessels.
Start Your Training — PDSD Included as Standard
PDSD is required by almost every commercial superyacht. The deck crew who run clean gangway watches, conduct thorough security rounds, and lock down the yacht correctly for the owner are the ones who stand out. The stewardesses who know their interior security duties as well as they know service — those are the crew who progress. Get certified before you apply. Here is how:
- Stewardesses: View stewardess training packages — PDSD included in all options
- Deckhands: View deckhand training packages — PDSD included in all options
- PDSD only: Get the standalone online PDSD course — MCA-accepted, certificate within 24 hours
Not sure which is right for you? Book a free call with our team.
