What is the difference between FOET and BOSIET?

BOSIET and FOET are both OPITO-certified offshore survival training courses, but they serve different purposes. BOSIET is the initial certification for professionals entering the offshore industry for the first time, while FOET is the refresher course taken every four years to keep that certification current. In short: you start with BOSIET, and you renew with FOET.

Both courses are mandatory for anyone working offshore in oil and gas environments, and both are recognized globally by operators and contractors. The sections below break down exactly who needs which course, what each one covers, and how the two fit together in your certification journey.

Who needs BOSIET and who needs FOET?

BOSIET is required for anyone who has never held an offshore survival certificate before. If you are entering the offshore oil and gas industry for the first time, BOSIET is your starting point. FOET is for professionals who already hold a valid BOSIET certificate and need to renew it before it expires. Both courses are typically required by offshore operators before anyone is permitted on an installation.

In practice, this means contractors, engineers, technicians, medics, and any other personnel traveling to or working on offshore platforms will need one of these two certifications depending on where they are in their career. Operators and project managers often check certificate validity before mobilization, so it is important to know which course applies to you and when your current certificate expires.

What does BOSIET training include?

BOSIET stands for Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training. It is a multi-day course that covers the core survival and emergency response skills every offshore worker needs before their first deployment. The training is hands-on and practical, combining classroom instruction with physical exercises in controlled environments.

The main elements covered in a BOSIET course include:

• Sea survival techniques, including the use of lifeboats and life rafts
• Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), including underwater escape from a submerged helicopter simulator
• Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) use during underwater escape
• Firefighting awareness and fire prevention
• First aid and emergency response procedures
• Offshore safety orientation and hazard awareness

The HUET component is one of the most recognized elements of BOSIET, as it directly prepares workers for the real risk of helicopter ditching during offshore transport. You can find full details about HUET, FOET and BOSIET courses on our course pages.

What does FOET training include?

FOET stands for Further Offshore Emergency Training. It is a shorter refresher course designed to update and reinforce the skills learned during BOSIET. Because participants already have foundational offshore survival knowledge, FOET is more condensed but covers the same critical competencies.

FOET typically includes:

• Refresher sea survival and lifeboat drills
• Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) refresher
• CA-EBS use during helicopter escape
• Firefighting refresher
• First aid refresher
• Updates to offshore safety procedures and regulations

Because safety regulations and offshore procedures can change over time, FOET also gives workers the opportunity to stay current with any updates to emergency protocols. The course is recognized by OPITO and accepted by operators across the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and other major offshore regions worldwide.

How long is a BOSIET or FOET certificate valid?

Both BOSIET and FOET certificates are valid for four years from the date of completion. Once your BOSIET expires, you renew it by completing FOET. After that, FOET itself is renewed every four years with another FOET course. There is no limit to how many times you can renew with FOET as long as you do so before your current certificate expires.

It is important to track your expiry date carefully. Many offshore operators will not allow personnel to travel to an installation with an expired certificate, and project delays caused by lapsed certifications can be costly. Setting a reminder at least eight to twelve weeks before your expiry date gives you enough time to find an available course and complete it without disruption to your work schedule.

Can FOET replace BOSIET, or must BOSIET come first?

BOSIET must always come first. FOET is not a standalone entry-level qualification and cannot be used to gain initial offshore certification. You are only eligible to take FOET if you already hold a valid or recently expired BOSIET or FOET certificate. The two courses are sequential, not interchangeable.

If your BOSIET or FOET certificate has been expired for a significant period, you may be required to retake the full BOSIET rather than the shorter FOET refresher. Operators and training providers assess this on a case-by-case basis, but as a general rule, if your certificate has lapsed by more than a few months, expect to start the certification process again from BOSIET. Always check with your operator or training provider if you are unsure about your eligibility for FOET.

Where can you take BOSIET or FOET training?

BOSIET and FOET courses must be delivered by an OPITO-accredited training provider. OPITO is the global standards body for the oil and gas workforce, and only accredited centers are authorized to issue recognized BOSIET and FOET certificates. When choosing a provider, confirm that the center holds current OPITO accreditation for the specific course you need.

Training locations are an important practical consideration, particularly for offshore workers who need to complete their certification before traveling to a project. Courses are available across major offshore industry hubs, including locations in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States, and other regions. Choosing a training center near a port, airport, or industry hub can simplify logistics significantly. You can view our training center locations to find a site that works for your schedule and travel plans.

How FMTC Safety helps with BOSIET and FOET certification

We offer both BOSIET and FOET training at OPITO-accredited centers, with multiple course formats and locations to fit the schedules of offshore professionals and the teams that coordinate their training. Whether you are booking for yourself or managing certification for a larger workforce, we make the process straightforward.

Here is what you can expect when you train with us:

1. Guaranteed course continuity so your training runs as planned, even with a small group
2. Free cancellation or rescheduling up to 24 hours before the course starts
3. Strategically located training centers near airports, ports and offshore industry hubs
4. Experienced, certified instructors with real-world offshore backgrounds
5. Clear documentation so your certificates are ready when you need them

Ready to book your BOSIET or FOET? Browse our available OPITO HUET, FOET and BOSIET courses and secure your place today.