Stability Refresher Simulator – Practical Training Course for Ballast Control Operator (Stability Stage 4)

Safety training on commercial yachts
22 September 2026

Stability Refresher Simulator – Practical Training Course for Ballast Control Operator (Stability Stage 4)

from 1 500 EUR

Stability Refresher Simulator – Practical Training Course for Ballast Control Operator (Stability Stage 4)

(KNOWN BY FLAG ADMINISTRTION AS BCO PRACTICAL COURSE)

Duration: 2 days

Time: 0830 – 1700

Cost: 1 500 Euro
Cost includes VAT and catering.

Venue: The Gdynia Maritime School
Polska 13A str., Gdynia, Poland

Airport: GDANSK (GDN)

Min/Max number of participants: 1/4

 

Course Objective

 

The purpose of this course is to familiarize with basic stability theory in reference to Mobile Offshore Units and to become proficient in advance aspects of stability calculation for MOU in order to maintain its safe condition in both the intact and damage stability condition as per MODU Code 2009 and Norwegian Maritime Authority

Delivery: fully motion simulator

10% stability calculations – 90% simulation

 

Course contents

The content of the course is approved by THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE and complies with THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE BALLAST CONTROL OPERATOR Accreditation Scheme version 1.9 form AUG 2019.

This course content meets requirements of IMO Resolution A.1079(28) adopted on 4th of December 2013 titled “Recommendations for the training and Certification of personnel on Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs).” as Supplementary Training. The compliance of the course with IMO Res 1079(28) had been confirmed and the course approved by following Administrations:

  • The Marshal Islands,
  • The Liberia Republic,
  • Vanuatu

Course consists of 2 exercise with purpose of verifying student competence.

Course aim is to simulate real life scenarios during operating MODU units and experience various emergency in the controlled environment.

Course objective is to carry out simulated exercises containing following elements ( NI Accreditation Scheme requirements)

  • Damage stability exercises
  • Loading heavy lifts that require pre ballasting
  • Familiarity with failure modes and remedial actions for valve operations
  • Ballasting to survival draft.
  • Ballasting for extreme weather
  • De-ballasting to transit draft and understanding restrictions for helicopters and cranes

 

STABILITY PRACTICAL TRAINING COMPETENCE

  • Able to plan and execute safe ballasting and deballasting operations taking into account changes in deck loads. Use of loading stability information from stability diagrams, operations manuals and computer based stability programs.
  • Perform operational control on trim, stability and hull stress. This involves understanding of ship construction principles and factors affecting trim and stability. Taking into account mooring system forces.
  • Perform ability to respond to emergencies and regain control in emergency scenario. Demonstrate procedures follow up and communications with parties involved.
  • Perform ability to coordinate simultaneous operations management and effective stability monitoring. This may involve supply boats.
  • Perform prevention of pollution awareness and use of measures available to achieve that.
  • Able to control rig stability when KG margin is tight (between wells rig move, run BOP and riser).
  • Highlight importance of thorough deck survey on daily basis.
  • Able to carry out successfully ballasting down through critical draft
  • Be familiar  with failure modes and remedial actions for valve and pump operations i.e. valve passing, pump drawing air , wrong tank readings

 

Course Prerequisites

Participant shall hold at least a STCW Certificate of Competency of OOW and have valid Medical Certificate.

To be holder of The Nautical Institute recognized or accredited certificate confirming completion of Motion Simulator Course or Refresher course i.e. Simulator Course or known as Stab 3 or Stab 4.

 

Certification

Upon completion of the course and passing online time limited test participants will complete FIRST step on the way to revalidate BCO Certificate from The Nautical Institute and receives:

  1. Certificate of completion of the “Practical Training Course for Ballast Control Operators- Refresher” ( former Stability Stage 4 )  APPROVED by The Nautical Institute as per Ballast Control Operator Training Scheme Accreditation Standard 1.9 from August 2019
  2. Certificate of completion BCO Stability Training in compliance with IMO Resolution 1079(28)
  3. “Ballast Control Operator Course ” approved by The Republic of Marshal Islands
  4. “Stability Practical Training ” approved by The Republic of Vanuatu.
  5. “Ballast Control Operator Course – Simulator” approved by The Republic of Liberia
  6. Notation given with permission of The Norwegian Authority on the certificate that the course includes Norwegian Maritime Authority Regulations No. 878 on stability on mobile offshore units