The STCW Convention — Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping — is the international rulebook that decides who is allowed to work at sea. Whatever your rank, your certificates are the first thing a crewing manager checks. Here is what you actually need, explained simply.
What STCW is and why it matters
STCW sets the minimum training every seafarer must complete before joining a merchant ship. It is recognised worldwide, so a certificate issued under STCW is accepted by shipowners in any country. Without a valid, complete STCW set, you cannot legally sign on — no matter how much sea time you have.
Basic safety training — the foundation
Every seafarer, from Ordinary Seaman to Master, must hold the four STCW Basic Safety courses:
Personal Survival Techniques — using lifejackets, liferafts and surviving in the water.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting — the single most tested certificate on board.
Elementary First Aid — basic medical response.
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities — shipboard safety culture and teamwork.
Two more are almost always required: Proficiency in Security Awareness (ISPS) and Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats for most ranks.
What you need by rank
Ratings (AB, OS, Motorman, Oiler): basic safety set, plus watchkeeping certification and a Seaman's Book.
Officers (Deck and Engine): a national Certificate of Competency (CoC) for your rank, on top of the basic set. This is the licence that proves your rank.
ETO / Electrician: the electro-technical CoC plus the basic set.
Vessel-specific certificates
Some ships demand extra training before you can join:
Tankers (oil, chemical, gas): Tanker Familiarization, then Advanced training for the specific cargo. Gas carriers (LNG/LPG) require the Liquefied Gas Tanker course.
Passenger ships and ferries: Crowd Management and Crisis Management.
Offshore vessels: BOSIET / HUET and GWO modules for wind work.
Keeping your certificates valid
Most STCW certificates are valid for five years. The safety refreshers (survival, fire fighting, rescue boats) must be renewed before they expire, and your medical certificate is usually valid for up to two years. Let one lapse and you may lose a contract at the last minute — track your expiry dates carefully.
Apply with your certificates on SeaJobs.pro
Upload your certificates and medical to your seafarer profile once, and every application you send carries them straight to the crewing manager. Browse open positions by rank or vessel type and apply for free.