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Maritime Safety Training

In the dynamic and high-risk maritime industry, safety is paramount. Australia’s vast coastline and bustling ports demand rigorous training to protect workers from hazards like confined spaces, heights, fires, and emergencies.

At Zokal Safety Training, located in Newcastle NSW, we deliver nationally accredited courses tailored to the needs of port and maritime professionals. As the gateway to the resource-rich Hunter Valley and home to one of Australia’s largest ports, Newcastle underscores the critical role of comprehensive safety training in preventing incidents and ensuring compliance with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) standards.

Whether you're working on vessels, in cargo handling, or port operations, our programs equip you with essential skills to mitigate risks and respond effectively. Explore how Zokal Safety Training can support your team's safety in this vital sector.

Maritime Safety Courses

Skills that meet site standards and legislative compliance.

Confined Space Entry & Rescue

Hazard ID, using breathing apparatus, atmospheric testing, issuing work permits, confined space rescue situations.

Working at Heights

Harness systems, anchors, fall arrest techniques, vertical rescue operations.

Emergency Response & Rescue

Equips personnel with the skills to contain incidents, rescue victims, manage communication, and protect other workers

Fire Fighting Training

Using fire extinguishers and hoses, executing evacuation procedures and assuming warden responsibilities.

Available Training

Call Zokal Today

What our customers say

Joel Klabbers 5 out of 5 stars
Greg had excellent knowledge and great teaching skills that were clear and precise.
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Nick Luxton 5 out of 5 stars
Very in depth 3 day confined space entry training. Comprehensive simulations and all equipment is in great condition.
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Riley McArthur 5 out of 5 stars
Barry was awesome the training was efficient and i am now much more knowledgeable whilst working at heights.
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Blake Kilian 5 out of 5 stars
Great training facility and instructor. Would recommend to all looking for top training skills and knowledge.
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Molly Gibson 5 out of 5 stars
Knowledgeable team passionate about safe practices and procedures. Great confidence for future work in the industry.
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Brad Griffith 5 out of 5 stars
Have done all my training at Zokal. They do a great job at what they do so I will be going back Thanks team.
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Jaysen Lindsay 5 out of 5 stars
Kind instructor and easy to get along with, very thorough training and willing to answer any questions you may have.
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Lachlan Standing 5 out of 5 stars
Training was experience and well planned. Trainer had a broad amount of very organised and taught the class well. Would recommend.
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Baz Abroad 5 out of 5 stars
Very knowledgeable Trainers. Excellent facilities. Great use of practical and quality equipment. Would highly recommend.
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Chris Foye 5 out of 5 stars
Very well planned out and was well taught.
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Cassandra Jewell 5 out of 5 stars
Great experience at LVR/CPR with Tim. Lots of knowledge and experience shared.
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Nathan De Pasquale 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent class ratios with great delivery for all education levels. Clean and well equipped facilities to give experience based training.
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The Need for Robust Maritime Safety Training 

Newcastle Harbour, the largest port on Australia's East Coast and the world's busiest coal export terminal, handles over 200 million tonnes of cargo annually across 10,000 ship movements. As Australia's oldest export port since 1799, it supports nearly 9,000 direct and indirect jobs while serving as a vital gateway for bulk commodities from the Hunter Valley.

With such high-volume operations, maritime safety training is non-negotiable in Newcastle. Port workers face unique risks from heavy machinery, variable weather, and tight schedules. Zokal Safety Training, based in Newcastle NSW, specializes in on-site and facility-based training to keep your operations compliant and safe. Our proximity to the port allows seamless integration of courses into your workflow, reducing disruptions.

Australia's maritime sector is a cornerstone of the economy, but it faces significant safety challenges. In 2024, AMSA reported a total of 5,625 marine incidents, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous year. Larger domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) over 12 meters accounted for nearly 70% of these reports, highlighting the scale of operations in ports like Newcastle.

Serious injuries were prominent, with passenger vessels contributing 46.2% of cases and non-passenger vessels 30.8%.

Globally, maritime incidents surged by 42% between 2018 and 2024, driven by an ageing fleet—a trend echoed in Australian waters where foreign-flagged and regulated Australian vessels reported 4,442 incidents in 2024 alone.

These figures underscore the urgency of proactive safety measures. Effective training can reduce risks, with AMSA detaining 212 ships in 2024 for non-compliance—down from 261 in 2023 due to targeted high-risk inspection

Our Certifications

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Confined space training in new facilities
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Zokal Safety Training: Tailored Courses for Maritime Professionals

At Zokal Safety Training, we offer a suite of AMSA-aligned courses designed for maritime and port environments. Our Newcastle facilities provide hands-on, practical training with expert instructors. Key offerings relevant to the industry include:

We also offer on-site delivery across NSW through Zokal Safety Hire and integration with Zokal Safety Services for equipment and standby support. View our full course calendar or book online today.

Why Partner with Zokal Safety Services for Construction Training in NSW?

Zokal Safety Services understands NSW's construction pulse—from Sydney's high-rises to Newcastle's infrastructure boom. As an RTO with state-of-the-art facilities, we prioritise practical learning that minimises downtime, offering flexible delivery at our Newcastle centre or directly on your site. Our expert trainers draw from real industry experience to ensure courses exceed WHS expectations and foster a safety-first culture.

  • Proven compliance: All programs align with SafeWork NSW guidelines and national standards.
  • Tailored for construction: Scenario-based modules reflect site realities, with over 80 five-star reviews.
  • Integrated solutions: Complement training with Zokal Safety Hire for equipment like harnesses and EWPs.

Ready to fortify your construction safety? Book your on-site training today and build safer tomorrow.

 

Maritime Safety Courses FAQs

What types of maritime safety training are required for workers at the Port of Newcastle?

Maritime workers at the Port of Newcastle require training aligned with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. Essential courses include:

  • Basic Safety Training: Covers personal survival, firefighting, first aid, and safety responsibilities, mandatory for deck and engine crew on vessels over 500 gross tonnes.

  • Confined Space Entry: Includes gas testing and breathing apparatus for safe work in cargo holds or engine rooms.

  • Working at Heights: Focuses on harness use and fall arrest for tasks on masts or cranes.

  • Firefighting and Emergency Response: Trains workers in first attack equipment and rescue procedures.

  • First Aid: Includes CPR and advanced resuscitation for medical emergencies.

Zokal Safety Training offers these through courses like Confined Space Enter and Work - 1 Day and Provide First Aid - 1 Day.

How often do maritime workers need to refresh their safety training?

Under AMSA regulations, maritime safety certifications, such as those under the STCW Convention, require refresher training every five years to maintain validity.

Zokal Safety Training offers refresher courses like Work Safely at Heights - 1 Day to keep your credentials current.

Can Zokal provide maritime safety training on-site at the Port of Newcastle?

Yes, Zokal Safety Services offers on-site training across NSW, including at the Port of Newcastle. Our flexible delivery minimizes downtime for port workers. We also provide equipment through Zokal Safety Hire for hands-on training. Contact us via our enquiry form to arrange.

Are Zokal’s maritime safety courses nationally accredited?

All Zokal Safety Training courses, including those for maritime workers, are nationally accredited and comply with AMSA and STCW standards. Our programs, such as Confined Space Enter, Work Gas, BA Rescue + Standby - 3 Day, meet industry requirements for safe operations.

How does Zokal ensure training meets the needs of the maritime industry?

Our Newcastle-based trainers have extensive experience in maritime and port environments, ensuring practical, relevant instruction. Courses are designed with input from industry standards and tailored to the unique risks of Newcastle’s port operations, such as cargo handling and vessel maintenance.

For more details or to customize your training plan, contact Zokal Safety Training or explore our full course offerings.

Call Zokal Today