Course syllabus for Safety and security officer

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-09 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameSäkerhet och skyddsansvarig ombord
  • CodeSJM097
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTSJKL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyShipping and Marine Technology
  • DepartmentCHALMERS SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language

    English

  • Application code

    75134

  • Maximum participants

    60 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)

  • Open for exchange students

    Yes

  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

Module
Sp1
Sp2
Sp3
Sp4
Summer
Not Sp
Examination dates
0120 Examples class, part A 2 c
Grading: UG		2 c
0220 Written and oral assignments, part B 2 c
Grading: UG		2 c
0320 Examples class, part C 2 c
Grading: UG		2 c
0420 Examples class, part D 1.5 c
Grading: UG		1.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Knowledge and skills corresponding to the learning outcomes of the following courses:

SJM027 Marine communication

SJM076 Emergencies and damage control

SJO114 Basic safety

Aim

The purpose of the course is to establish necessary knowledge and skills in order to be able to take command during emergency and crisis situations on board and during search and rescue operations. After completion of the course the student should be able to responsible for security and safety on board.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

0120 Part A - Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
(L1) Explain how the organization, procedures and technical systems are used when controlling fire fighting aboard ships.
(L2) Apply procedures when controlling and commanding fire fighting aboard ships.

0220 Part B - Ship Security Officer (SSO)
(L3) Explain the threats that the ship may be exposed to.
(L4) Explain how hazards and threats can be detected and what actions that should be taken.
(L5) Explain the procedure conducting a security assessment for ships.
(L6) Explain actions aboard when implementing the ships securty plan.

0320 Part C - Safety Officer
(L6) Understand actions to be taken both preventive and during an emergency on board including damage control.
(L7) Conduct a safety exercise recognizing rules, risks and the method of instruction.
(L8) Apply rules and procedures during a search and rescue operation.

0420 Part D - General Operators Certificate (GOC)
(L9) Apply subsystems within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in order to be able to transmit and receive distress, urgency and safety messages.

Content

0120 Part A - Advanced Fire Fighting
In accordance with TSFS 2011:116 and STCW A-VI/3. Provides certification in advanced fire‑fighting.
  • Fire safety organisation aboard.
  • Fire fighting command and tactics.
  • Communication and coordination during fire-fighting operations.
  • Procedures for coordination with shore-based fire fighters.
  • Fire-fighting at sea and in port.
  • Ventilation control, including smoke extraction.
  • Fire fighting involving dangerous goods.
  • Specific risk when fire fighting and when conducting fire figthing exercises.
  • Use of water for fire-extinguishing, the effect on ship stability, precautions and corrective procedures.
  • Inspect and service fire-detection and fire-extinguishing systems and equipment.
  • Management and control of injured persons.
  • Fight and extinguish fires including use of breathing apparatus and portable extinguishers.
  • Hazards including fire and chemicals.
0220 Part B - Ship Security Officer (SSO)
In accordance with STCW A-VI/5. Provides SSO-certification in combination with required sea-time (12 month) and course SJO114.
  • Maritime security policy.
  • Liability.
  • Investigation.
  • Equipment and systems.
  • Protection Plan.
  • Identification, detection and response.
  • Special protective actions.
  • Readiness.
  • Education, exercises and training.
  • Document control and reporting.
0320 Part C - Safety officer
  • Managing damage resulting from collision, grounding, or fire.
  • Crisis management, planning, and methodology in emergency situations.
  • Planning, organizing, and leading a full‑scale SOLAS drill.
  • Organizing and directing maritime search and rescue operations.
0420 Part D - General Operators Certificate
In accordance with ERC DEC (99)01and TSFS 2011:116 appendix 10. Provides GOC-certification in combination with course SJM027.
  • Review of fundamental theory.
  • Review of fundamental practical skills.
  • Update of potential regulatory revisions and newly available technology.
  • Execution of a maritime search‑and‑rescue scenario with associated emergency communications.

Organisation

The instruction is divided into lectures, seminars, written assignments, and practical exercises conducted both in simulators and at external training facilities for the respective course components (note that exercises at training facilities are not carried out on the Chalmers campus).

As a substantial part of the course content leads to certification in accordance with regulations and established standards, students should expect all components to be mandatory, including participation in lectures and seminars.

Literature

Brandskydd ombord - Jure Förlag (ISBN: 978-91-7223-275-4)
Sjöfartsskydd, Jure Förlag AB (ISBN: 978-91-7223-926-5)
Sjöfartsskyddsföreskrifter; Jure förlag (ISBN: 978-91-7223-939-5)
Reference: International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) -code.
IMO, ICAO, IAMSAR Volume III

Examination including compulsory elements

0120 Part A – Advanced Firefighting (AFF)
Mandatory attendance at lectures and successful completion of practical exercises.

0220 Part B – Ship Security Officer (SSO)
Mandatory attendance at lectures and successful submission of written assignments and group projects.

0320 Part C – Onboard Safety Officer
Successful completion of written assignments and mandatory participation in practical exercises and simulations.

0420 Part D – General Operator’s Certificate (GOC)
Successful completion of written assignments and mandatory participation in simulations.

After successful completion of component 0120, it is reported in the Swedish Transport Agency’s training portal that “training in advanced firefighting” has been completed.

After successful completion of component 0220, it is reported in the Swedish Transport Agency’s training portal that “training for Ship Security Officer” has been completed.

After successful completion of component 0420, it is reported in the Swedish Transport Agency’s training portal that “training for the General Operator’s Certificate for the GMDSS” has been completed.

Students who are approved outside the regular course period must themselves contact the examiner for reporting to the Swedish Transport Agency.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.

STCW

  • A-II/1 Prevent, control and fight fires on board: Fire prevention and fire-fighting appliances
    Also in course:SJO114,SJO763,
  • A-II/1 Respond to emergencies: Emergency procedures
    Also in course:SJO114,SJO761,SJO762,
  • A-II/2 Coordinate search and rescue operations
    Also in course:
  • A-II/2 Develop emergency and damage control plans and handle emergency situations
    Also in course:SJM076,SJO761,SJO762,SJO763,SJO764,SJO765,
  • A-II/2 Maintain safety and security of the ship's crew and passengers and the operational condition of life- saving, fire- fighting and other safety systems
    Also in course:SJO761,SJO762,SJO763,SJO764,SJO765,
  • A-II/2 Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements and measures to ensure safety of life at sea, security and the protection of the marine environment
    Also in course:SJM040,SJM055,SJO131,
  • A-II/2 Respond to navigational emergencies
    Also in course:
  • A-IV/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of GMDSS radio operators
    Also in course:SJM027,SJO875,
  • A-VI/3 Specification of minimum standard of competence in advanced fire fighting
    Also in course:
  • A-VI/5 Specifications of minimum standard of competence for ship security officers
    Also in course: