What does an STCW approval via ILENT mean?
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) is the international standard for maritime training, established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These regulations define the global requirements for the training, certification and competence of seafarers.
In the Netherlands, these training programmes are supervised by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILENT). This authority assesses and approves training providers that meet strict requirements regarding content, quality, facilities and instructors.
An STCW approval via ILENT means that:
- the training complies with international IMO/STCW regulations
- training programmes are periodically reviewed and audited
- facilities and training environments are approved
- instructors are demonstrably qualified
- certificates are internationally recognised
This ensures that training aligns with the requirements of the international maritime sector and is applicable in practice.
The importance of STCW approvals
Within the maritime sector, the number and type of STCW approvals are an important indicator of the breadth of a training provider’s portfolio and their ability to meet various training needs.
Training providers with a broad range of approvals are able to:
- offer multiple courses within a single quality framework
- ensure consistency in training level and assessment
- respond efficiently to organisational training needs
- support both initial and refresher training requirements
This creates a clear and reliable training structure for both organisations and participants.
Approved STCW training at DRTC
De Ruyter Training & Consultancy (DRTC) is approved by ILENT under registration number NL002 and holds a broad range of STCW approvals.
Below is an overview of approved training courses and programmes:
- Basic Training (BT) – Groningen, Vlissingen and Curaçao
- Basic Training Refresher (BT-R) – Groningen, Vlissingen and Curaçao
- Basic Safety Training for Fishing Vessel Personnel (BS-F) – Groningen and Vlissingen
- Boatmaster Grade I, II and III (BM-1 / BM-2 / BM-3) – Caribbean region
- Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) and Refresher (AFF-R) – Groningen, Vlissingen and Curaçao
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB / PSCRB-R) – Groningen, Vlissingen and Curaçao
- Proficiency Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB / PFRB-R)
- Crisis Management and Human Behavior (CMHB)
- Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems (ECDIS) – Vlissingen and Curaçao
- Security Awareness (SA), Designated Security Duties (DSD) and Ship Security Officer (SSO) – Netherlands and Curaçao
- Netherlands Maritime Legislation (WT)
- Medical First Aid (MFA) and Medical Care (MC) – Netherlands and Curaçao
- Radar Navigator Management Level (RNML)
- Shipmanagement-N and Shipmanagement-W (T)
These approvals cover a wide range of training, including basic safety, advanced maritime competencies, medical care and management-level courses.
DRTC as a training provider within the STCW framework
Within the Netherlands, DRTC is among the training providers with a large number of STCW approvals from ILENT. This means that a significant part of the training portfolio is delivered within the same recognised quality framework.
For participants and organisations, this means that training:
- aligns with international regulations
- is delivered under the supervision of a recognised authority
- is consistently provided across multiple locations
- is directly applicable in practice
This structure contributes to a stable and recognisable level of training quality.
What does this mean for organisations and participants?
For maritime organisations and professionals, a recognised and comprehensive STCW offering provides clear advantages:
- assurance of certificate validity
- efficient planning of training and refresher courses
- reduced reliance on multiple training providers
- continuity in training quality and standards
In a sector where safety and compliance are central, this forms an essential part of professional risk management.
Conclusion: STCW approval as a quality indicator
STCW approvals provide an objective measure of the quality and reliability of maritime training. They demonstrate the extent to which a training provider complies with international standards and is capable of delivering a broad training portfolio.
For organisations and participants, this provides clarity and confidence: training that meets the required standards and contributes to safe and responsible operations within the maritime sector.