Your seafarer documents, verified and ready to sail
STCW, Certificate of Competency, Flag Endorsements, GMDSS, DP — maritime careers demand constant certification. CertVault keeps every document current, organised, and shareable with any crewing agent or operator worldwide.
Maritime certification is governed by international IMO conventions, but issued and administered by individual flag states — meaning a seafarer working across multiple flag states may need multiple endorsements for the same underlying qualification.
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STCW revalidation, CoC renewal, medical certificates, and individual endorsements all run on different cycles. A single lapse can mean a seafarer is legally unable to sign on — a costly problem for vessel operators.
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Crewing agents and manning companies need to quickly verify that a seafarer's documents are current, authentic, and complete before placing them on a vessel. Manual document collection causes delays and errors.
Required certifications
Core maritime certifications
Requirements vary by role, vessel type, and flag state. These are the most commonly required certifications for seafarers worldwide.
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STCW Basic Safety Training
The foundation requirement for all seafarers — covers personal survival, fire prevention, first aid, and personal safety & social responsibilities.
⏳ 5 years (revalidation required)
Global — IMO convention, mandatory for all seafarers on internationally-trading vessels.
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Certificate of Competency (CoC)
Officer licence (OOW, Chief Mate, Master, Engineer) issued by a national maritime authority. Required to serve in a watchkeeping or command role.
⏳ 5 years (revalidation with STCW)
Issued per flag state — MCA (UK), AMSA (Australia), USCG (USA), NMA (Norway), and others.
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Flag Endorsement
Certificate of Recognition allowing a seafarer to serve on a vessel flying a flag other than the one that issued their CoC.
⏳ Tied to underlying CoC
Required when serving on vessels under a different flag state — covers Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, and all major flag states.
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GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Required for officers responsible for radio watchkeeping and distress communications.
⏳ 5 years
Global — SOLAS requirement for vessels on international voyages.
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Seafarer Medical Certificate
Fitness-to-work medical examination confirming the seafarer is physically and mentally fit for sea service.
⏳ 2 years (1 year for seafarers over 55 in some jurisdictions)
ENG1 (UK/international), AMSB (Australia), USCG (USA), national equivalents worldwide.
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Dynamic Positioning (DP)
Certification for operators of Dynamic Positioning systems used on offshore vessels, FPSOs, drill ships, and crane vessels.
⏳ Annual simulator revalidation recommended
Nautical Institute DP standard, recognised globally by offshore operators and vessel managers.
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Advanced Fire Fighting
STCW endorsement for seafarers with firefighting responsibilities. Covers fire organisation, tactics, and equipment.
⏳ 5 years
Global — STCW requirement for designated firefighting duties.
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Medical First Aid / Medical Care
STCW medical training endorsements. Medical First Aid for all watchkeeping officers; Medical Care (higher level) for ships without a doctor.
⏳ 5 years
Global — STCW requirement based on vessel type and trading area.
Certification requirements change. Always verify with your flag state administration, vessel operator, or crewing agent.
Vessel types
Certifications vary by vessel type
🛢️FPSOs & Drill Ships
Floating production and drilling vessels — STCW, BOSIET, DP, OPITO required
🚢Bulk Carriers & Tankers
Deep sea cargo shipping — full STCW officer certification, CoC, Flag Endorsements
✓Store STCW, CoC, Flag Endorsements, medical certs and all other documents in one place
✓Track expiry dates across all your certifications — STCW revalidation, medical, DP, and more
✓Share your verified seafarer profile with any crewing agent or operator via a single link
✓Your AI completeness check confirms your CV aligns with your uploaded documents
✓Free for seafarers — no subscription required
For Vessel Operators & Crewing Agents
✓Search verified seafarers by rank, certifications, flag endorsements, and availability
✓View all documents with scan verification and expiry status before signing on
✓Crew compliance board shows the full picture across your entire manning pool
✓Manage vessel rosters, crew rotations, and sign-on/sign-off scheduling
✓Nudge crew members to renew expiring documents before mobilisation
Frequently asked questions
What is STCW and why do seafarers need it?↓
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) is an international IMO convention that sets minimum qualification standards for seafarers worldwide. All seafarers serving on internationally-trading vessels must hold valid STCW certificates. Basic Safety Training is the entry-level requirement; additional endorsements are required for watchkeeping officers and ratings.
How long does STCW certification last?↓
STCW revalidation is required every 5 years. To revalidate, seafarers must demonstrate sea service (at least 1 year in the preceding 5 years) and complete refresher/updating training. Some individual STCW endorsements (like Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid) have their own renewal requirements.
What is a Certificate of Competency (CoC) in maritime?↓
A Certificate of Competency (CoC) is an officer licence issued by a national maritime authority (such as the MCA in the UK, AMSA in Australia, or the US Coast Guard) certifying that the holder is qualified for a specific watchkeeping or command role. To serve on a vessel flying a different flag, you also need a Flag Endorsement or Certificate of Recognition from that flag state.
Do I need separate medical certificates as a seafarer?↓
Yes. Seafarers require a valid medical fitness certificate before signing on. ENG1 is the standard used in the UK and many other countries. AMSB (Australian Maritime Safety Bureau) issues medical certificates in Australia. The certificate is typically valid for 2 years (1 year for seafarers over 55 in some jurisdictions).
What Dynamic Positioning (DP) certification do I need?↓
The Nautical Institute DP certification is the global standard. There are two levels: DP Induction (entry-level awareness) and DP Operator (full operational certification). DP Operator requires completion of a DP logbook with verified sea time. Some operators require annual DP simulator revalidation. IMCA also operates a DP competence assurance scheme.
Always ready to sign on
Every cert, every endorsement, every medical — in one verified profile. Free for seafarers worldwide.