Listed below you will find an overview of the training and certifications needed to pursue a career in seafaring.
What are the certifications for seafarers? The marine sector depends on highly trained specialists who fulfill strict qualification levels to ensure the safe transportation of cargo and people across international seas. Ahead of joining the maritime workforce, aspiring seafarers will need to complete a set of obligatory training courses and apply for seafarer certificates in areas including wellness and safety, medical training and job specific skills. Typically, those desiring operate in the maritime industry need to have finished secondary level education and pass a medical fitness examination. Entry level positions frequently do not require professional experience and can be a terrific way to launch a marine occupation. Union Maritime would concur that the maritime industry is a dynamic environment. Likewise, Anglo Pacific International would understand that there are many skills needed in the maritime industry. With each year of practical experience on-ship, seamen can progress their career by completing advanced training courses and obtaining certificates from their local maritime authority.
What are the requirements to become a seaman? Seafarers are required to have a diverse skillset for them to conduct their duties effectively and ensure the safety of the vessel, crew and load. These skills can be categorised into technical, physical and soft skills. Technical skills consist of expert understanding of sailing and seafaring conventions. Seafarers require proficiency in areas such as navigation, security procedures, freight handling and communications systems to provide steady and secure vessel operations. A skilled seafarer should also be able to manage demanding tasks and uncomfortable sea conditions. Consequently, physical skills required for maritime professions will include a suitable level of fitness and manual dexterity. For managing unprecedented challenges and personal wellness onboard, there is also a need for an expansive set of soft skills. Seafarers ought to have good decision-making skills as well as teamwork, management and communication. A number of these proficiencies can be obtained through seafarer skills training programs and specialised sailing schools.
What are the levels of seafarers? The maritime market is structured into different levels of seafarer posts and ranks, where each level has unique roles, duties and qualifications. The crew of a ship can be generally broken down into 4 functional categories: the deck, engineering and catering. This is based on different areas of a ship and the equipment and abilities needed to run and manage specialist tasks. Maritime Transport would acknowledge that there are a range of operations on board. The deck department is primarily in charge of the basic affairs on a ship. This will consist of the captain, who is mostly responsible here for all shipboard operations. The engine department is accountable for all the mechanical and electrical systems on board. Their primary duty is to ensure the propulsion systems, power generators and auxiliary systems function securely and efficiently at sea. The third major department is catering. Their functions are necessary for ensuring there is a tidy and organised environment on board.