How to become a seafarer in Sri Lanka after school

Officer: maritime academy or college

• A deck officer of the watch must be at least 18 when the certificate of competency exam starts.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)
• An engineer officer of the watch must also be at least 18.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)
• The Ocean University of Sri Lanka, a government university, offers a full-time B.Sc. in Marine Engineering lasting 4 years.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: B.Sc. in Marine Engineering
• Entry needs G.C.E. Advanced Level passes in the mathematics stream.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: B.Sc. in Marine Engineering
• Graduates can serve on board after completing an approved supplementary programme.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Seafarers Unit

Rating: rating course

• A rating forming part of a navigational watch must be at least eighteen when the exam starts.
  Source: Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2303/16, 26.10.2022)
• One route is an approved pre-sea training programme with at least two months of approved sea service.
  Source: Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2303/16, 26.10.2022)
• The Ocean University's pre-sea deck rating (seaman) course is approved by the MSS and leads towards the CDC.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Pre Sea Training for Deck Rating (Seaman)
• Entry needs 6 passes in the G.C.E. (O/L) examination including Mathematics and English.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Pre Sea Training for Deck Rating (Seaman)
• There is also a pre-sea engine rating (motorman) course for those who want a CDC.
  Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Pre Sea Training for Engine Rating (Motorman)
• Mahapola Ports & Maritime Academy of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority runs a pre-sea deck rating course for school leavers who sat the G.C.E. (O/L).
  Source: Mahapola Ports & Maritime Academy (Sri Lanka Ports Authority): Pre-Sea Training Course for Deck Rating

Exams and certification

• Officer certificates of competency are issued after an examination; the minimum age is counted on the exam start date.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)
• The Director-General may delegate the issue of certificates of proficiency to approved training institutes.
  Source: Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2303/16, 26.10.2022)

Documents in order

1. First, complete an MSS-approved pre-sea course.
   Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Seafarers Unit
2. Get a seafarer medical certificate (minimum age sixteen).
   Source: Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2303/16, 26.10.2022)
3. Obtain the CDC from the Merchant Shipping Secretariat.
   Source: Ocean University of Sri Lanka: Seafarers Unit
4. Record on-board training in an approved training record book.
   Source: Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2303/16, 26.10.2022)

Cadet training at sea

• A deck cadet needs at least 12 months of approved sea service on ships of 500 GT or more as part of an approved training programme.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)
• During that service the cadet performs bridge watchkeeping under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)
• An engine cadet needs workshop skills training and at least 12 months of sea service in the engine department.
  Source: Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers) Regulations, 2016 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 1987/19)

Approved training institutions

First job: starter vacancies

Krew Guru numbers