Seafarers advised to check documents before joining a vessel
Before joining a vessel, seafarers are advised to check the expiry dates of passports and identity documents, the validity of their medical certificate, the availability of qualification documents and their compliance with the requirements of the intended voyage.
Documents to check
A basic set of seafarer documents usually includes:
- an international passport;
- a seaman’s book (CDC) or seafarer identity document (SID);
- a valid medical certificate;
- a CoC for officers or a CoP for specific functions;
- STCW certificates, including Basic Safety Training;
- a flag-state endorsement when required for service aboard a vessel flying that flag.
Before departure, seafarers should check document expiry dates and compliance with the requirements of the intended work. Inaccurate information or documents that have lost their validity can postpone a seafarer’s clearance and transfer to the vessel.
If an FSE or CEC expires while aboard
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency guidance for seafarers affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine states that if an FSE or CEC expires while a seafarer is aboard, the seafarer should be able to apply for revalidation under the procedure referenced in MIN 655.