How to become a seafarer in Indonesia after school

Officer: maritime academy or college

• Deck officer programmes (D-IV Nautika) at the Ministry of Transportation's maritime polytechnics accept science-stream senior high school graduates or graduates of an approved maritime vocational school (SMK Pelayaran, Nautika).
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• Marine engineering programmes (D-III Permesinan Kapal) accept science-stream senior high school graduates and graduates of approved maritime or ship engineering vocational schools.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• In the 2025 intake of the Ministry of Transportation's schools (Pola Pembibitan track), applicants had to be 16 to 23 years old on 1 September 2025.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• The minimum height was 160 cm for men and 155 cm for women.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• Applicants needed normal eyesight and no partial or total colour blindness.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• Applicants had to be unmarried and stay unmarried during selection and study.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026

Rating: rating course

• Under STCW II/4, a deck watch rating must be at least 16.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
• A watch rating can qualify through special pre-sea or on-board training that includes at least 2 months of approved seagoing service.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

Exams and certification

• Selection for the Ministry of Transportation's schools includes an administrative check and a basic competency test (SKD).
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026
• Later stages include a health test, a psychological test, a physical fitness test and an interview.
  Source: BPSDM Perhubungan, Pengumuman PG-BPSDMP 1 Tahun 2025: Penerimaan Calon Taruna Pola Pembibitan, Tahun Akademik 2025/2026

Documents in order

1. Complete Basic Safety Training (BST) first; the certificate is required for the Buku Pelaut.
   Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
2. Get a health certificate from an approved hospital.
   Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
3. Get a police certificate (SKCK).
   Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
4. Prepare your identity card (KTP) and birth certificate.
   Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut
5. Submit the online application for the Buku Pelaut.
   Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Utama Belawan: Standar Pelayanan Penerbitan Buku Pelaut

Cadet training at sea

• Cadets going to sea practice get a Buku Pelaut with a referral letter from their school.
  Source: Ditjen Perhubungan Laut, KSOP Tanjung Priok: SOP Penerbitan Buku Pelaut Online (2023)
• Under STCW II/1, an officer of the navigational watch must complete at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as part of an approved training programme.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
• Under STCW III/1, an engineer officer of the watch needs at least 12 months of combined workshop skills training and approved seagoing service.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

Approved training institutions

First job: starter vacancies

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