Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) Course
Maritime Security Institute of Canada
The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) Course at the Maritime Security Institute of Canada provides comprehensive training in public health standards and sanitation procedures for cruise ships and other passenger vessels. Based on the official USPH Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this course equips maritime professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure compliance with ship public health regulations and to maintain a clean, safe, and disease-free onboard environment.
Course Overview:
The CDC’s VSP was established to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal illness and ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew aboard ships. This course focuses on the inspection criteria, sanitation requirements, and outbreak prevention strategies that vessels must follow to pass USPH inspections and maintain operational readiness. This course is also based on the Guide to Ship Sanitation from the World Health Organization (WHO) .
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:
✅ Understand the structure, purpose, and regulatory authority of the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program.
✅ Interpret and apply VSP Inspection Guidelines, including food safety, water quality, pest control, and housekeeping standards.
✅ Implement effective disease prevention and outbreak response protocols for norovirus and other communicable illnesses.
✅ Maintain sanitation standards in key areas such as galleys, dining areas, medical facilities, accommodations, recreational water facilities, and waste management systems.
✅ Prepare for CDC VSP inspections and audits through internal assessments and corrective action plans.
✅ Promote a culture of public health awareness and hygiene compliance across all departments onboard.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is essential for:
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Cruise ship officers and crew responsible for sanitation and public health
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Hotel, food & beverage, and housekeeping managers onboard vessels
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Medical staff and environmental health officers working on ships
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Ship operators, compliance officers, and port agents overseeing cruise operations
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Anyone seeking to work on cruise ships that must comply with CDC VSP regulations
Certification & Compliance
Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of training, which states they will have completed training on the USPH Vessel Sanitation Program. This training is a valuable asset for maritime professionals working on or managing passenger vessels.
Protecting health at sea starts with the right training. Enroll in the Vessel Sanitation Program Course at the Maritime Security Institute of Canada and help set the standard for safe, clean, and compliant cruise operations.
This course takes place over 5 days (Monday to Friday), and costs $1890 ($1800 + GST)
