Before a crewing manager will consider you, your certificates have to be in order. For newcomers the alphabet soup — STCW, CoC, GMDSS, BST — can be confusing. This guide explains what each document is and why it matters.
What STCW is
STCW is the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It sets the minimum training every seafarer in the world must complete before working on a commercial ship. When a vacancy says "valid STCW", it means your basic safety training and certificates meet this global standard.
The certificates you will need
- Basic Safety Training (BST) — four short courses every seafarer must hold: personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibility.
- Certificate of Competency (CoC) — your rank licence. It proves you are qualified to serve as, say, a Second Officer or Chief Engineer. Each promotion needs a higher CoC.
- GMDSS — the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio certificate, required for deck officers.
- Medical certificate (ENG1 or equivalent) — proof you are medically fit for sea service.
- Seaman's book (Seafarer's Identity Document) — your official record of sea service and identity at sea.
Endorsements that raise your value
On top of the basics, specialised courses let you work on higher-paying vessels:
- Tanker familiarisation and advanced courses for oil, chemical and gas carriers.
- Dynamic Positioning (DP) for offshore supply and construction vessels.
- Advanced fire fighting, medical care, proficiency in survival craft (PSCRB) for senior roles.
Keep track of expiry dates
Most certificates are valid for five years and must be revalidated. A single expired document can cost you a contract at the last moment. Keep a simple list of every certificate and its expiry date — and update it before every job search.
On SeaJobs.pro you can store all of this in your profile: build your seafarer profile and CV once, add your certificates and their validity, and apply to any vacancy in a click with everything a crewing manager needs already attached.