How to become a seafarer in Turkey after school

Official rules for school students and school leavers. Check every requirement with the maritime authority before you apply or pay.

Officer: maritime academy or college

A deck officer of the watch can qualify by graduating from the deck or maritime transport department of an authorized associate or bachelor's programme that follows STCW section A-II/1.
Source: Regulation on Seafarers and Maritime Pilots (Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği), Article 9

Rating: rating course

A deck rating (gemici) must have finished secondary school and the deck rating course at an authorized training institution, then pass the Administration's exam.
Source: Regulation on Seafarers and Maritime Pilots (Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği), Article 6
Under STCW II/4, a candidate for a rating forming part of a navigational watch must be at least 16 years old.
Source: IMO, STCW Convention as amended in 2010 (STCW/CONF.2/33), Regulation II/4

Exams and certification

Certificates are granted to those who pass the exam set by the Administration; deck officers must also meet the English score requirement of the Training Directive.
Source: Regulation on Seafarers and Maritime Pilots (Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği), Article 9

Documents in order

Students training to be officers get a seafarer's book as deck or engine trainee for their sea training, once they have completed the sea safety trainings.
Source: Regulation on Seafarers and Maritime Pilots (Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği), Article 25

Cadet training at sea

Officer cadets complete their sea training on board ships approved by the Administration outside harbour service, including a period of bridge training.
Source: Regulation on Seafarers and Maritime Pilots (Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği), Article 9
Under STCW II/1, a deck officer candidate needs at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book.
Source: IMO, STCW Convention as amended in 2010 (STCW/CONF.2/33), Regulation II/1

Approved training institutions

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure does not publish a static list of authorized maritime education institutions; their authorization status is checked through the e-Devlet service "Denizcilik Eğitimi veren Kurumların yetki durumları". The institutions block is hidden.