The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) has released a new Maritime Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Prevention and Response eLearning program, developed in coordination with the U.S. Maritime Administration, to meet updated federal training requirements and industry standards.
The course fulfills annual training requirements under the EMBARC (Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture) Standards Program and is required for U.S. mariners and students attending maritime academies. It replaces the previous computer-based training currently used under EMBARC.
SOCP said the training was designed specifically for vessel operations, using scenario-based learning and interactive decision-making tools to help mariners recognize and respond to inappropriate behavior onboard. The course addresses what it describes as a “continuum of harm,” ranging from boundary violations to sexual harassment, assault, and technology-facilitated misconduct.
The program also aligns with requirements under the Safer Seas Act, enacted through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The law mandates SASH training across the U.S. maritime workforce and requires vessel owners and operators to report incidents of sexual harassment and assault. It also authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard to suspend or revoke merchant mariner credentials in cases involving substantiated offenses and requires companies to incorporate SASH policies into safety management systems.
According to SOCP, the training is intended to provide mariners with practical tools to identify misconduct, support crewmembers, and take appropriate action onboard.
The course is SCORM-compliant and designed for integration into company learning management systems. It is available in both animated and text-based formats, with the latter intended to support trauma-sensitive delivery. The program includes interactive scenarios, knowledge checks, and certification upon completion, as well as guidance on reporting pathways, including through U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service channels.
SOCP said the program builds on previous initiatives, including SASH contact training and a best practices guide developed with input from operators, unions, maritime academies, and federal agencies.
The training is available through the SOCP website and is intended to be deployed through learning management systems to support tracking and compliance.
SOCP is a nonprofit organization focused on improving safety, efficiency, and environmental performance across U.S. vessel operations through industry collaboration.
