Becoming a seafarer in Georgia as a career change

Age limits

• A deck officer of the watch certificate can be issued from 18 years of age.
  Source: Law of Georgia on Education and Certification of Seafarers, Article 15

Entry through your shore profession

Minimum set of documents

• Minimum for a first job on board: recognised basic training, a medical certificate from an Agency-selected institution, a rating or officer certificate, and the Seafarer's Identity Document and Sea Service Book.
  Source: Law of Georgia on Education and Certification of Seafarers, Article 29

Costs and timing: official fees only

• Without an approved training programme, a deck officer certificate requires documented approved sea service of at least 36 months.
  Source: Law of Georgia on Education and Certification of Seafarers, Article 15
• A Sea Service Book is issued for 10 years; the standard (7th day) fee is 85 GEL.
  Source: Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia — Seafarers ID and Seaservice Book
• A Seafarer's Identity Document is issued for 5 years; the standard (7th day) fee is 45 GEL.
  Source: Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia — Seafarers ID and Seaservice Book

How to avoid scams

• Crewing companies are recognised by the Maritime Transport Agency — check that a company offering you a job is recognised.
  Source: Maritime Code of Georgia, Article 69(2)
• You can verify Georgian certificates, medical certificates, sea service books and identity documents online on the Maritime Transport Agency website (documents issued since 2013).
  Source: Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia — Certificate Verification
• A genuine seafarer medical certificate is issued on a form with anti-forgery protection, in Georgian and English.
  Source: Law of Georgia on Education and Certification of Seafarers, Article 49

First job: starter vacancies

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