THE TEN BASIC CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A CAREER AT SEA

Obtaining the basic Sailor Documents and Certificates is quite easy. Some documents are expensive while others are competitively cheap.

Alot of individuals yearn to begin a career at sea as a sailor. This article is aimed at enlightening such persons.

Transportation by sea is known to be the safest means of moving goods and services around the world.

It may not be the fastest, but it promises to offer more security to good and services being imported or exported.

A career at sea as a sailor is one of the most lucrative and high paying job role in the World.

The nature of the day to day activities of sailors depends on the nature and type of the ship. Some of the routine activities are considered to be of High Risk. Hence, Safety consciousness is inculcated in a sailor.

The International Maritime Organization through its various conventions and codes puts in place regulation and guidelines to safeguard the lives of sailors, the ship and the interest of the ship-owners including all other Maritime Shareholders.

In this article, the basic sailor documents and Certificates needed to qualify an individual to work in a ship will be outlined.The basic certificates and documents include;

The Basic Certificates and documents

1. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: The college phase of a sailor’s career is crucial to his/her development in the Maritime Industry. A sailor’s academic Qualification facilitates a steadily dynamic career progression of a sailor.Obtaining a School Leaving Certificate is the minimum qualification required by an individual to kick start his/her sailing career.Although; obtaining an Associate degree, Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and/or a B.Sc. speeds up the rate of progression of a sailor. This is because an individual with a specific level of qualification is assigned a given period of Sea time phase to be eligible for the Certificate of Competency Examinations.An individual with Associates qualifications require 36 months of sea time Experience, an OND graduate requires 18 months sea time Experience while an HND or B.Sc. holder requires 12 months of sea time.

2. SEAMAN’S RECORD BOOK AND CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE: Popularly known as Discharge Book. It is a document used for recording the Sea-time Experience of a sailor duly stamped by the Master.The discharge books carries an SID number. Before applying for a discharge book, all other basic documents are required.The Discharge Book is issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and is valid for Five (5) years. Before being given an eligibility by NIMASA, your discharge has to be counter stamped by the shipping master of the Flag state administration, NIMASA.

3. SEAFARERS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE: This medical certificate of fitness is valid for 2 years under Regulation 1.2, Standard A1.2 of MLC 2006. It shows the integrity of a sailor’s health. Preliminary and diagnostic tests are carried out on a sailor. The health, Immunization, social/family history of a sailor are also assessed. Drug analysis, blood group and genotype, heart status are all carried out. The department (deck, engine, catering) are also specified in the medical certificate. This certificate is issued by all accredited hospitals and clinic. To view the NIMASA accredited hospitals, click here.

4. INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION OR PROPHYLAXIS (YELLOW CARD): The certificate of Vaccination otherwise known as the “yellow card” is valid for Ten (10) years. This vaccination protects against yellow fever, cerebrospinal Meningitis and Poliomyelitis (polio).This Certificate is issued by the Immigration of a country.

5. INTERNATIONAL/ ELECTRONIC PASSPORT: An E-passport is your ticket to travel all around the globe. It is valid for five (5) years. Without an E-passport, you are not advised to travel outside your country’s jurisdiction. It is an essential document.

6. SEAFARER IDENTITY DOCUMENTS: An SID is issued by the Flag State Administration; NIMASA. It is the identity of a sailor as registered by the Flag State. An application is made to Department of Maritime Labor. After a month, the SID is issued. This document contains details such as name, nationality, relevant documents.

7. CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN BASIC TRAINING: The Certificate of proficiency in Basic training is the most important of all basic certificates. Without it, you cannot be allowed to work on a ship. This certificate is sectioned into four parts. Personal Survival Techniques, Fire prevention & Fire Fighting, Elementary First aid and personal safety & Social Responsibilities under Regulation VI/1 and section A-VI/1; Paragraph 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 respectively. It is valid for Five (5) years.

8. CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS (OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS): It is an approved training under Regulation VI/2 and section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Convention. The essence of this training is to provide the sailor with knowledge of the survival crafts and rescue boats. This prepares the sailor for times of emergency when such knowledge is required.

9. CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN OIL/CHEMICAL TANKER CARGO OPERATIONS (BASIC): An OCTF certificate is valid for Five (5) years. The Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations is adjudicated under Regulation V/1-1 and section A-V/1-1 of the International Convention on standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention) as amended in 2010. As the name implies, this training equips you with the basic knowledge of oil/chemical tanker operations.

10. CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN SECURITY AWARENESS: Regulation VI/6 and section A-VI/6, Paragraph 4 of the STCW Convention approves this training. This training basically prepares the trainee for security and anti-piracy measures at sea.

The Importance of the Basic Sailor Documents and Certificates

Note: The above listed sailor documents and certifications must be possessed by all seafarers irrespective of Rank onboard or the vessel type.

Without the above listed documents, most shipping companies would likely not give you a Job onboard a ship.

If you feel an important sailor document/certificate was omitted, feel free to comment .

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