Programme of Activities
Activities eligible for points under the Thames CPD Programme
The Thames CPD Programme consists of Mandatory, Accredited and Skills & Experience training/activities that allow you to accumulate enough points over a 5-year period to complete the requirement to remain active on the River Thames.
The Thames CPD Programme requires participants to achieve a minimum of 150 points by selecting from across the three categories of Mandatory Courses, Accredited Training, and Skills & Experience during each 5-year CPD period.
CPD points are generally awarded at the rate of 5 points per half day/10 points per full day of training. Those activities marked with * have been weighted to a higher points allocation as feedback from the industry is that these CPD activities will have the most impact on safety. Those activities marked with ** have been weighted to a lower points allocation as feedback from the industry is that these CPD activities will have less impact on safety.
Should participants wish to undertake alternative courses, training or skills & experience activities from those listed below then a request should be made to the Thames CPD Governance Committee by using this form.
Mandatory Courses
All participants must complete a Mandatory Course in First Aid, Fire Fighting and Personal Survival in each 5-year cycle.
| FIRST AID | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| MCA STCW Elementary First Aid* | 20 | 1 |
| MCA RYA First Aid* | 20 | 1 |
| MCA STCW Medical First Aid | 40 | 4 |
| FIRE FIGHTING | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| MCA Approved Fire Fighting Course*: Either STCW Boatmasters Fire Fighting Course (1 day) or BML Regs Boatmaster Fire Fighting/Ancillary Safety Course - Boatmaster Licence (0.5 - 1 day) | 15 | 1 |
|
MCA Updated Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting* or MCA Updated Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting* |
15 | 1 |
| MCA STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting | 30 | 2.5/3 |
| MCA STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (with the option of the 5th day for bespoke company training) | 40/50 | 4/5 |
| PERSONAL SURVIVAL | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| MCA STCW Personal Survival Techniques* | 15 | 1 |
| MCA Updated Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques* | 15 | 1 |
| RYA Sea Survival* | 15 | 1 |
All Mandatory Courses must be evidenced by submitting a photograph or copy of the course certificate via your Thames CPD online account which is available (online and on your mobile phone) once you have enrolled on the Thames CPD Programme. Login details for your Thames CPD online account will be emailed to you after enrolling. Alternatively you can submit a photograph or copy of the course certificate via email using the Thames CPD Record.
Should participants wish to undertake alternative courses from those listed then a request should be made to the Thames CPD Governance Committee by using this form.
Accredited Training
All participants must gain a minimum of 50 points by selecting from the Accredited Training Courses over each 5-year cycle.
Where a participant is awarded more than 50 points in the Mandatory Courses, these points may be used in lieu of Accredited Training.
Accredited Training comprises externally delivered courses leading to qualifications or certificates. This includes accredited training courses approved by the MCA, RYA or other regulatory bodies that meet certain standards in terms of quality and content of training. Training can be delivered at the Training Providers’ premises, online or on site.
Formalised Company Training can also be accredited subject to meeting the requirements of the Governance Committee.
| MCA | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| MCA STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness* | 10 | 0.5 |
| MCA STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties | 10 | 1 |
| MCA STCW Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities* | 10 | 0.5 |
| MCA STCW Crowd Management* | 10 | 0.5 |
| MCA STCW Crisis Management and Human Behaviour* | 15 | 1 |
| MCA STCW Human Element Leadership and Management (HELM) (Operational level) | 30 | 3 |
| MCA STCW Human Element Leadership and Management (HELM) (Management level) | 50 | 5 |
| MCA Signals Exam | 5 | 0.5 |
| MCA/STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats (Other than Fast Rescue Boats) | 50 | 5 |
| MCA/STCW Updated Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (Other than Fast Rescue Boats) | 10 | 1 |
| MCA Master 200 (incl 500, 3000 & unlimited) | 50 | - |
| MCA Approved Engine Course Part 1 (AEC1) | 50 | 5 |
| MCA Approved Engine Course Part 2 (AEC2) | 50 | 5 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 50 | 5 |
| RYA | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities | 10 | 1 |
| RYA Powerboat Level 2** | 10 | 2 |
| RYA Advanced Powerboat (Commercially Endorsed) | 20 | 2 |
| RYA Day Skipper Theory | 50 | 5 |
| RYA Day Skipper Practical (Commercially Endorsed) | 50 | 5 |
| RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory | 60 | 6 |
| RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Practical (Commercially Endorsed) | 70 | 7 |
| RYA Diesel Engine course | 10 | 1 |
| RYA Radar course | 10 | 1 |
| TOWAGE | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| TSA Cargo and Barge Loading* | 20 | 1 |
| TSA Vessel Mooring and Securing Operations* | 20 | 1 |
| MULTICAT/WORKBOAT | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Slinger/Signaller | 30 | 3 |
| MISC | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Thames Skills Academy/HR Wallingford Simulator Course * | 50 | 2 |
| Bridge Resource Management Course | 30 | 3 |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS General Operators Certificate (GOC) | 80 | 8 |
| RYA/MCA VHF Short Range Certificate* | 15 | 1 |
| SIA Conflict Management training | 10 | 1 |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate (ROC) | 30 | 3 |
| NAVIGATION & RADAR | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| SQA Use of Radar for Safe Navigation and Collision Avoidance on Domestic and Code Vessels* | 30 | 2.5 |
| SQA Operate Non ECDIS (Non-Electronic Chart Display and Information System* | 30 | 2.5 |
| MNTB Small Ships Navigation and Radar | 50 | 5 |
| Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulator (NARAS) (Operational or Management level) | 50 | 10 |
| Navigation Aids, Equipment and Simulator Training (NAEST) (Operational or Management level) | 50 | 10 |
| HEALTH & SAFETY | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
|
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Guidance on syllabus can be found in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers |
5 | 0.5 |
|
Manual Handling Guidance on syllabus can be found in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers |
5/10 | 0.5/1 |
|
Confined / Enclosed Space Training (Access) Guidance on syllabus can be found in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers |
10 | 1 |
|
Confined / Enclosed Space Training (for Managers) Guidance on syllabus can be found in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers |
30 | 3 |
| Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) - Working Safely/Managing Safely in Ports certificate* | 15 | 1 |
| Oil Spill response 2P to 5P | 10 per day | 1-5 |
| ENDORSEMENTS (POINTS SHOWN ARE ON ATTAINING THE ENDORSEMENT - A RENEWAL IS WORTH 10 POINTS) | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo - General Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Chemical Cargoes Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Dredging Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Liquified Gas Cargoes Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Oil Cargoes Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Towing and Pushing Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| General Passenger Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Large Passenger Vessel Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Fast Craft Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Ro-Ro Operations Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Local Knowledge Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| Pilotage Exemption Certificates (PEC's) – River Thames | 30 | 1 |
| Radar Endorsement | 30 | 1 |
| OTHERS | Points | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| MCA Stability for workboats, pilot boats and small commercial vessels | 10 | 1 |
|
International Safety Management (ISM) Maritime Lead Auditor
Internal ISM auditor course |
40 20 |
4 2 |
| MCA IMO Train the Trainer | 50 | 5 |
| English, Maths and ICT Functional Skills Level 1 | 25 per Functional Skill | - |
| English, Maths and ICT Functional Skills Level 2 | 25 per Functional Skill | - |
| Mental Health First Aid Training Level 2 or equivalent | 10 | 1 |
| Maritime Designated Person* | 30 | 2 |
| Diploma in Maritime Studies - Rivers, Inland Waterways and Limited Distances to Sea* (covers mandatory, accredited and skills & experience) | Meets full CPD requirements - 150 | 55 |
| Hybrid Electric Vessel Operation and Maintenance Level 2 | 20 | 2 |
| Hybrid Electric Vessel Repair and Replacement Level 3 | 10 | 1 |
All Accredited Training must be evidenced by submitting a photograph or copy of the training certificate via your Thames CPD online account which is available (online and on your mobile phone) once you have enrolled on the Thames CPD Programme. Login details for your Thames CPD online account will be emailed to you after enrolling. Alternatively you can submit a photograph or copy of the course certificate via email using the Thames CPD Record.
Should participants wish to undertake alternative training from those listed then a request should be made to the Thames CPD Governance Committee by using this form.
Skills & Experience
All participants must gain a minimum of 50 points by selecting from the Skills & Experience activities over each 5-year cycle. This recognises years of experience on the Thames and includes informal training such as experience on a different industry sector vessel, visiting safety organisations to understand their roles on the Thames and mentoring.
Additional points achieved in the Mandatory Course and Accredited Training sections cannot be used in lieu of points gained in Skills & Experience.
| EXPERIENCE | Points | Duration (Days) | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience (5 points for every 5 years served (on the water and ashore) to a maximum of 20 points). First 5-year cycle only. | 20 | - | Employer testimonial letter on company headed paper including BML or equivalent, eg. CoC, RYA ticket date of issue (see MSN 1853 (M) Amendment 1: Boatmasters’ Qualifications, Crew and Hours of Work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), Annex 3 and 4). |
| Experience on a Different Industry Sector Vessel (full day) | 10 (max 30 points) | 1 | Master’s Log (including participant’s name) |
| Non-Routine Tows/Moving Craft Without the Use of Tugs | 10 (max 30 points) | 1 | Master’s Log (including participant’s name) |
| SKILLS | Points | Duration (Days) | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Taking part in multi-agency exercise or In-company safety drills experience with another company or safety service. |
5/10 (max 20 points) | 0.5/1 |
One of:
|
| Local Knowledge Trip and Training (CWL) | 10 | 1 | Record of Attendance |
| Type Rating | 5 /10 | 0.5 / 1 |
One of:
|
| PPE - Safe Use and Inspection of Lifejackets. (In-company training delivered by a reputable life jacket company) | 5 | 0.5 |
One of:
|
| Immersive Health and Safety Training | 15 | 1 | Record of Attendance |
| Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training | 10 | 1 |
One of:
|
| Customer Service Training | 10 | 1 |
One of:
|
| TSA's (and other) Visits Programme to the Met Police, London Fire Brigade, RNLI and PLA* | 5 points (max 15 points) | 0.5 | Record of Attendance |
| Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Events | 5 points | 0.5 | Record of Attendance |
| Company Health and Safety Meeting | 1pt/hr (max 5 points) | - | Record of Attendance |
| Suicide Intervention Training for a Safer Thames | 5 | 0.5 |
One of:
|
| TSA Riverside Personal Safety* | 15 | 1 |
One of:
|
| Cybersecurity | 1pt/hr (max 5 points) | - |
One of:
|
| Commercial, Sustainability and Financial Training | 1pt/hr (max 5 points) | - |
One of:
|
| International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMO Conventions) | 1pt/hr (max 5 points) | - |
One of:
|
| Train the Trainer (non-accredited) | 20 | 2 |
One of:
|
| Mentoring (including apprentices, colleagues etc) | 5 (max 25 points) | - | Master's Log (including participant's name) |
| Taking part in face to face or online teaching programme - must be safety focused. Training covering: ISM/DSM/SMS (this includes training on specific software systems for example Mastex and HELM); collision regulation; chartwork; local regulations; Regulators' survey work and findings; meteorology; passage planning; skills identified from HR Wallingford Simulator training; Accident Investigation; Report writing; Risk Assessment and Method Statement writing | 1pt/hr (max 10 points) | - |
One of:
|
| Catastrophic Bleed Control Course | 5 | 0.5 |
|
| WAVE - Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement | 5 points | 0.5 | Record of Attendance |
| Ropework & Splicing (as per the BML TRB 2nd Edition March 2015) | 5/10 points | 0.5/1 | Record of Attendance |
| RNLI Throwline Training | 3 points | 0.5 | Record of Attendance |
| In-company Conflict Management Course (request details of example syllabus through thamescpd@thamesacademy.london) | 5 points | 0.5 | Record of Attendance |
| Simulator Training (request details of example syllabus through thamescpd@thamesacademy.london) | 5/10 points (max 30 points) | 0.5/1 | Certificate or Company-headed paper with the syllabus or an evaluation |
All Skills & Experience must be evidenced by submitting a photograph or copy of the evidence required via your Thames CPD online account which is available (online and on your mobile phone) once you have enrolled on the Thames CPD Programme. Login details for your Thames CPD online account will be emailed to you after enrolling. Alternatively you can submit a photograph or copy of the course certificate via email using the Thames CPD Record.
Should participants wish to undertake alternative Skills & Experience activities from those listed then a request should be made to the Thames CPD Governance Committee by using this form.
