How to become a seafarer in Ukraine 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

Officer of the watch candidates must be at least 18.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
An officer rank requires a maritime professional pre-higher or higher education diploma in the relevant specialisation.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
Officer candidates need a valid seafarer medical certificate.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
Deck officer candidates also need a restricted or general radio operator diploma.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
Graduates of maritime universities can apply for their qualification documents.
Source: Дія: Дипломування членів екіпажів суден

Rating: rating course

Approved training centres run rating courses such as second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4) and engine (STCW III/4).
Source: Shipping Administration of Ukraine: List of Seafarers' Training Institutions (as of 07.10.2026)
Under STCW II/4, a 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
Approved centres also train ship's cooks.
Source: Shipping Administration of Ukraine: List of Seafarers' Training Institutions (as of 07.10.2026)

Exams and certification

Officer competence is checked by a computer exam or, for maritime graduates, the unified state qualification exam.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
Applications for qualification documents can be filed online in Diia and are processed in 7 working days.
Source: Дія: Дипломування членів екіпажів суден

Documents in order

Pass the seafarer medical examination first.
Source: Кодекс торговельного мореплавства України
Complete approved training at a centre from the official list and get specialist certificates.
Source: Кодекс торговельного мореплавства України
Apply for the seafarer's service book (posluzhna knyzhka moriaka) with a diploma, specialist certificate or proof of maritime education.
Source: Адміністрація судноплавства: Перелік документів для отримання послужної книжки моряка
Apply in person for the seafarer's identity document.
Source: Адміністрація судноплавства: Посвідчення особи моряка

Cadet training at sea

A deck officer of the watch needs at least 12 months of onboard training within a maritime education programme.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
During sea service the candidate must keep bridge watches under the supervision of the master or chief mate.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння
An engineer officer of the watch needs at least 12 months of combined workshop practice and sea service within a maritime education programme.
Source: Постанова КМУ від 30.12.2022 № 1499: Положення про звання осіб командного складу морських суден та порядок їх присвоєння

Approved training institutions

Only institutions from the official list of the maritime authority. The list changes: check that the institution is still approved before you pay.

Training centres from the Shipping Administration's official list of seafarers' training institutions (as of 07.10.2026) that run entry-level programmes: basic safety training, rating courses, ship's electrician or ship's cook. Maritime universities and colleges for officers (higher and professional pre-higher education) are not part of this list.

Odesa Oblast

National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” Survival under Extreme Sea Conditions Training Center, Odesa
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)
Training center of seafarers “Avant” LLC, Chornomorsk
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)
Education – training complex “Admiral” Limited Liability Company, Odesa
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Basic safety training on fishing vessels; Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4); Able seafarer engine (STCW III/5); Ship's electrician (STCW III/7); Ship's cook
“Seaferers training centre” LTD, Odesa
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4); Able seafarer engine (STCW III/5); Ship's cook
Training center “Alfa-Training “Limited Liability, Izmail
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)
Separated division “Training center of private joint stock company “Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company”, Izmail
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5)
International Maritime Training Centre LLC, Odesa
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)
“Trainmar” LTD, Odesa
Courses: Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4); Able seafarer engine (STCW III/5); Ship's electrician (STCW III/7)
“Education-training centre “Flagman” LLC, Odesa
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1)
Private enterprise “Izmail maritime training center “Marine pro service”, Izmail
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4); Able seafarer engine (STCW III/5)

Kyiv

“Kyiv center for maritime transport specialists training, retraining and refreshing competence” Company Limited, Kyiv
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5)

Mykolaiv Oblast

Mykolaiv training center of seafarers, Mykolaiv
Courses: Basic safety training (STCW VI/1); Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4); Able seafarer engine (STCW III/5); Ship's electrician (STCW III/7)

Zaporizhzhia Oblast

SEI “Zaporizhzhia centre of professional and technical education of water transport”, Zaporizhzhia
Courses: Deck rating: second-class able seafarer deck (STCW II/4); Able seafarer deck (STCW II/5); Engine rating: second-class able seafarer engine (STCW III/4)

Official list