How To Become a Seafarer: A Guide to Education & Training

Eve Church
28 Aug, 2025
08 Mins read

Maritime officers standing in front of students at a maritime training academy

Thinking about a life at sea and working in a seafarer job? Great choice. Commercial shipping needs smart, motivated people on deck, in the engine room, in the electronics space, and across vessel operations.

In this practical guide we’ll give you a clear, country-neutral overview of the education, training, and certifications you’ll typically need to start and grow a seafaring career on merchant vessels.

Keep this as your roadmap and add your local (flag-state) details later. And also bookmark the Martide blog (if you haven’t already!) as we’re also posting some country-specific seafarer training guides. Either follow the links throughout this post or check out our blog as we add more countries.

Let’s get into it.

What jobs exist on commercial ships?

Most seafarers start in one of three technical streams:

Deck (Navigation/Operations): Bridge watchkeeping, cargo operations, mooring, safety management, navigation systems (including ECDIS and radar).
Engine (Marine Engineering): Power generation, propulsion, fuel systems, maintenance, diagnostics, planned maintenance systems.
Electro-Technical (ETO): High- and low-voltage systems, automation and control, navigation electronics, communications, safety systems.

There are also hotel/catering teams on cruise ships, passenger ships and ferries but for this guide, we’re going to focus mainly on the core technical maritime jobs on cargo and passenger/commercial vessels.

an ETO working with electrical systems on a ship

Which school subjects are useful for maritime careers?

To work in a seafarer job, you don’t need to love trigonometry and thermodynamics - but it can help! If you want to build a maritime career, pay particular attention to the following subjects and in these classes:

Mathematics: Ratios, trigonometry, basic statistics are useful for navigation, stability, and engineering calculations.
Physics/Applied Science: Mechanics, electricity, heat, fluids are core to both deck stability/meteorology and engine systems.
English (or the ship’s working language): Clear written and spoken communication, plus Maritime English / Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) basics.
IT/Digital literacy: Modern bridges and engine rooms are digital. Comfort with software, data entry, and troubleshooting is a plus.
Optional boosters: Geography (weather and currents), technical drawing/CAD, basic electronics, and any hands-on workshops.

Good to know: Officer-track programs typically ask for stronger academic preparation in math and science than rating-level entry.

What’s the universally recognized baseline maritime training?

No matter where you train, the international foundation is STCW - the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ( set by the IMO). At minimum, new entrants complete STCW Basic Training (names vary slightly), usually covering:

Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
Elementary First Aid (EFA)
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
Security Awareness (and Designated Security Duties, if your role requires it)

These short courses are practical and hands-on, often delivered in a week or two. They’re valid globally, but you must take them at an approved training center.

seafaring students at a maritime training center

What medical fitness and documents will you need to work in a seafarer job?

Before you can join a ship, you’ll need:

Seafarer medical certificate issued by an approved maritime doctor. Expect checks of vision (including color vision for deck), hearing, general fitness, and any conditions that might affect safety.
Passport (with plenty of validity left).
Seafarer’s ID/Discharge book (name differs by country).
Vaccinations/health records as required by routes and company policy.
Background checks/visas depending on destinations.

Hint: Deck roles often have stricter eyesight/color vision standards due to navigation lights and lookout duties. Always confirm your flag-state’s rules.

How do the main entry routes to maritime jobs work?

You can start either as a Rating (hands-on crew) and progress, or join an Officer Cadet/trainee pathway. Both are valid.

1) Officer (Deck or Engine) – Cadet/Academy Route

Academic program: A maritime academy or approved college program (diploma/degree level varies by country). Expect navigation/marine operations for deck; thermodynamics, fluids, and machinery for engine.
Sea phases: Structured cadet sea time onboard - your seaman’s logbook is your proof of watchkeeping and tasks completed.
Licensing exam: After sea time and coursework, you sit for an Officer of the Watch (OOW) exam (Deck) or Engine OOW (EOOW), issued by a maritime authority.
Progression: With additional sea time, advanced courses (e.g., Advanced Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid/Medical Care, Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSCRB)) and exams, you can move to Chief Officer/Second Engineer and ultimately Chief Engineer or Master of the ship.

a ship's crew chatting on the deck of a container ship

2) Rating to Officer – Earn and Upgrade

Pre-sea rating training: Short vocational courses plus STCW Basic Training get you started as an Ordinary Seaman (OS) or Wiper (engine).
Onboard experience: Accumulate sea time, complete watchkeeping records, and take rating-specific competencies.
Upgrade path: After sufficient sea service and additional study, you can qualify to sit for officer exams. This route suits people who prefer hands-on learning and earning while they learn.

3) Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

Background: Electrical/electronics or mechatronics study (college or apprenticeship).
Specialized maritime modules: High-voltage, automation, marine safety systems, GMDSS familiarity, and shipboard electronics.
Sea service and assessment: Join as an ETO cadet/trainee, log sea time, complete competencies, and gain your ETO Certificate of Competency where applicable.

What will you study as a deck, engine or ETO trainee?

Naturally you’ll want to make sure you’re a good fit for your future seafarer job so it’s important that you know what subjects maritime training involves.

Nautical science, chartwork, ECDIS, radar/ARPA, COLREGs, cargo work, ship stability, bridge resource management, meteorology, mooring, security, environmental rules (MARPOL), ship management basics.

Engine (Marine Engineering)

Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, internal combustion engines, boilers, refrigeration/air-con, electrical fundamentals, diagnostics, fuel and lube systems, energy efficiency, planned maintenance, environmental compliance (e.g., bilge treatment, emissions).

Electro-Technical

Power generation/distribution, high-voltage safety, drives, PLC/automation, integrated bridge/engine control systems, communications/GMDSS integration, sensors, alarms, and fault finding.

Across all streams you’ll also cover safety culture, human factors, leadership/teamwork, and resource management.

a young female seafarer working in a ship's electrician job

How much sea time is required?

Sea-time minimums for certificates vary by country and certificate level, but the pattern is consistent:

Cadet sea phase(s): Several months onboard under supervision, with a training record book.
Watchkeeping evidence: Signed records proving you kept watches or performed tasks to standard.
Progressive totals: More sea time is required for higher-level licenses.

Tip: Keep immaculate records - dates, vessel types, GT/kW, routes, and duties. Your future licenses depend on them.

Will you need specialist endorsements?

Yes, many ships require type-specific add-ons. Examples include:

Tanker familiarization ( oil/chemical/LNG) and advanced tanker endorsements for senior roles.
Passenger ship crowd & crisis management on ferries and cruise ships.
Ro-Ro operations training for car carriers.
Dynamic Positioning (DP) for offshore support vessels.
High-voltage and refresher courses (many STCW elements require 5-year refreshers).

Pick endorsements that match the fleet you want to join; they make you more employable.

What about soft skills and life skills for jobs at sea?

A good seafarer is more than a license and you’ll need to make sure that your personality and natural abilities are suited to working in a maritime job at sea:

Communication: Clear radio/bridge/engine-room comms, concise handovers, accurate logbooks.
Teamwork & leadership: You’ll work in tight teams under pressure - respect, clarity, and initiative matter.
Resilience: Long contracts, time zones, and bad weather are real. Sleep routines and stress management help.
Cultural awareness: Multinational crews are the norm – kindness and empathy, as well as professionalism build trust.
Digital comfort: From ECDIS updates to planned maintenance systems, your “tech hygiene” matters.

a marine officer leading a department meeting

How long does it take to get to sea and start working in a seafarer job?

Roughly, and very generally speaking:

Rating route: Weeks to a few months of pre-sea + STCW basics → join as OS/Wiper → grow skills, then consider officer training later.
Officer cadet route: Around 2–3+ years for the first officer license, blending college phases with sea phases.
ETO route: Similar to officer training, especially if you’re adding maritime modules to an electronics/electrical background.

Your timeline depends on training availability, sea berths, and how quickly you complete assessments.

What does the hiring process for jobs at sea look like?

Again, details vary, but to find a seafarer job, commonly you’ll need to prepare:

STCW certificates and medical (valid and in date).
Passport, seafarer book, visas (company/route dependent).
CV and sea service letters (clear, accurate, with contactable references).
Background checks where required.
Interview/skills screening (some companies test math, rules of the road, or practical problem-solving).
Flexibility on contracts and vessel type helps you get your first berth.

What are your next steps to working at sea, in order?

Decide your stream: Deck, Engine, or Electro-Technical.
Check academic readiness: Brush up on math/physics and English/SMCP.
Compare entry route s: Officer cadet/academy vs rating-to-officer pathway.
Book STCW Basic Training at an approved center.
Get your medical certificate from an approved maritime doctor.
Secure a sea berth: Sponsored cadetship, academy placement, or rating role.
Log everything: Sea time, tasks, watchkeeping, and assessments.
Sit the license exam (OOW/EOOW/ETO) when eligible.
Add endorsements matched to the ships you want (tanker, passenger, DP, etc.).
Refresh & upskill every few years; aim for the next certificate level.

a man using his laptop while surrounded by text books and a modelship

Quick FAQ for finding a maritime job to wrap up

Do I need a university degree to work in a seafarer job?	Not always. Some officer tracks are degree-based, others use diplomas or approved courses plus sea time. Ratings typically don’t need a degree.
Is learning English mandatory for jobs at sea?	A working level of English is essential for international crews. Learn the Standard Marine Communication phrases; they’re designed for clarity and safety.
Can I switch streams later if I want to change my maritime career focus?	Yes, but it’s easier early on in your career. Some sea time and courses can transfer but others won’t. Check with your maritime authority.
Can I work in a job on a ship if I wear glasses?	Many working in seafarer jobs do. You’ll need to meet vision standards (with correction.) Deck jobs also assess color vision.

Final thoughts about maritime training for jobs at sea

Becoming a seafarer is a blend of practical training, internationally recognized safety courses, and documented sea experience.

Start with the right subjects, complete STCW Basic Training, secure your medical, and choose the entry route that fits your learning style and finances.

From there, keep your logbook tidy, refresh your certificates on time, and add endorsements that match the vessels you want to work on.

Are you looking for a seafarer job?

At Martide we’re always looking for enthusiastic and hardworking crew for our, and our partners maritime job vacancies. Whether you’re an experienced officer looking for Second Engineer jobs or Chief Officer jobs, or you want to get your foot on the first rung of your maritime career ladder and are looking for wiper jobs, Ordinary Seaman jobs and more, we can help.

Take a look at our seafarer job vacancies and apply today. All you need to do is create your free Martide account, add your details to your seafarer profile and send your applications to our reputable Crew Managers and Manning Agents with just a couple of clicks.