# How to Become a Seafarer in Poland: A Practical Guide > Are you Polish with maritime career ambitions but you don't know how to get started? Our guide will help you find your very first seafarer job. _Published 2025-10-30 · By Eve Church · Canonical: https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-poland/_ --- Are you thinking about launching a maritime career from Poland? If so, you'll be a part of one of the world's most respected seafaring nations, known for its strong Baltic heritage, **EU-aligned maritime standards**, and **globally recognized qualifications**.  This guide walks you through the Polish route to becoming a professional seafarer - from your studies and training to your first sea contract - whether you dream of working on **tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, ferries,** **[cruise ships](https://blog.martide.com/all-about-cruise-ships/), or offshore vessels**.  ## **Polish seafarers: choosing your maritime career path**   Polish seafarers generally follow one of three professional streams to enter into the maritime industry:  - **[Deck Department](https://blog.martide.com/what-does-deck-department-on-commercial-vessel-do/)** **(Navigation and Operations):** Navigation, bridge watchkeeping, COLREGs, voyage planning, radar/ARPA/ECDIS systems, cargo operations, mooring, and compliance with safety and security procedures.  - **[Engine Department](https://blog.martide.com/what-does-engine-department-on-commercial-vessel-do/)** **(Marine Engineering):** Engine and machinery operations, fuel and lubrication systems, maintenance, diagnostics, HVAC and refrigeration systems, pollution prevention, and planned maintenance routines.  - **[Electro-Technical (ETO)](https://blog.martide.com/all-about-electro-technical-officer-jobs/):** Electrical systems, high-voltage operations, automation and PLC control, navigation and communication electronics, and onboard power distribution.  You can begin your career as a **rating** (for example, in a deckhand job or [wiper job](https://blog.martide.com/wiper-jobs/)) and move up through experience and training, or you can **enter directly into an officer cadet program** through a maritime academy.  ![a lecturer addressing students at a maritime training academy](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/b659acb2-192d-4175-6791-de24c530e600) ### **What to study before maritime training in Poland**  If you're in upper-secondary school (_liceum_ or _technikum_), focus on subjects that build the foundation for maritime studies:  - **Mathematics and Physics:** Crucial for navigation, ship stability, thermodynamics, and engineering systems.  - **English and Maritime English (SMCP):** Clear communication is key for bridge, radio, and engine-room operations.  - **ICT and Digital Literacy:** Ships today are highly automated and depend on digital systems for navigation, reporting, and maintenance.  - **Bonus Skills:** Geography, meteorology, technical drawing, basic electronics, and workshop practice.  Strong grades, especially in **math and science**, can help you gain admission to officer-track programs and improve your chances of creating a successful maritime career during the oral exams you'll be expected to take later on.  ### **Who oversees training and certification for Polish seafarer jobs?** In Poland, maritime education and certification fall under the **[Ministry of Infrastructure](https://www.pois.gov.pl/en/)**[,](https://www.pois.gov.pl/en/) with **Maritime Offices (_Urzędy_** **_Morskie_**) in **[Gdynia](https://www.umgdy.gov.pl/en/)** and **[Szczecin](https://en.ums.gov.pl/)** managing seafarer documents and course approvals.  Polish **Certificates of Competency (CoC)** and **Certificates of Proficiency (CoP)** meet **STCW and EU standards**, are recognized internationally and eligible for endorsement by foreign flags.  Top maritime schools in Poland include:  - **[Gdynia Maritime University](https://umg.edu.pl/en/)**  - **[Maritime University of Szczecin](https://www.pm.szczecin.pl/en/)**  - Regional maritime colleges and private STCW-approved training centers  Always verify that your chosen course or institution is **formally approved** so that you can be sure your training and sea service will be accepted for certification.  ![a woman using her laptop in her apartment to study for maritime exams](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/b919ea8c-8dec-46fd-9a26-842dd753ea00) ### **Officer pathway: deck, engine, or ETO seafarer jobs**  A typical officer progression for someone entering the Polish maritime industry looks like this:  #### **Enroll in an approved maritime program:**  1. **Deck**: Nautical Science or Navigation  2. **Engine**: Marine Engineering or Ship Power Plants  3. **ETO**: Electrical or Electronics degree plus an approved maritime ETO course  #### **Complete STCW Basic Training, which includes:**  1. Personal Survival Techniques  2. Fire Prevention & Firefighting  3. Elementary First Aid  4. Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities  5. Security Awareness (and Designated Security Duties if needed)  #### **Undertake cadet sea service:**  Gain onboard experience as a cadet while maintaining a **Training Record Book (TRB)** signed by officers. This usually totals about **12 months** of sea time.  #### **Take specialized courses:**  1. **Deck**: ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, BRM, GMDSS, PSCRB, AFF, Medical First Aid/Care  2. **Engine/ETO**: ERRM, High-Voltage Safety, PSCRB, AFF, and automation/diagnostics  #### **Meet medical and vision requirements:**  Obtain a valid **seafarer medical certificate** from an approved maritime doctor. Deck cadets must meet **color-vision standards** for navigation duties.  #### **Pass assessment and licensing exams:**  After your training and sea time, you'll take theoretical, oral, and practical exams overseen by the Polish national maritime authority. Successful candidates will receive:  1. **Deck:** OIC-NW (II/1) then Chief Officer/Master (II/2)  2. **Engine:** OICEW (III/1) then Second/Chief Engineer (III/2)  3. **ETO:** Electro-Technical Officer (III/6)  ### **Starting your Polish maritime career as a Rating**  If you'd rather start earning sooner, you can begin [working as a](https://blog.martide.com/what-are-ratings-jobs-on-a-ship/) **[rating](https://blog.martide.com/what-are-ratings-jobs-on-a-ship/)** - a hands-on seafarer job **-** and upgrade to a higher rank later. Here's how:  - Take **Pre-Sea Training and STCW Basic Training** at an approved center.  - Add **RFPNW (II/4)** for deck or **RFPEW (III/4)** for engine watchkeeping.  - Join a ship as an **[Ordinary Seaman (OS)](https://blog.martide.com/ordinary-seaman-jobs/), Wiper, or Motorman** whilst keeping accurate **sea-service records** for future promotions.  With experience, you can move up to **Able Seafarer Deck (II/5)** or **Able Seafarer Engine (III/5)** - and later, if you meet entry criteria, transition to an officer program.  ![a young woman working in a seafarer job on deck](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/875ae88f-38d8-4785-6d2c-e2e560048100) This route suits those who prefer hands-on learning whilst working in a seafarer job on a ship or someone who wants/needs to balance study with earning an income.  ### **What seafarer documents and identification do Polish seafarers need?**  Before joining your first ship and starting to work at sea, you will need to get some essential documents together:  - Valid Polish **passport**  - **Polish Seafarer's Book** - issued by a Maritime Office  - **Seafarer Identity Document (SID)** (ILO 185, if applicable)  - **STCW certificates:** Basic Training, Security, PSCRB, AFF, etc.  - **Medical certificate** – must be STCW/MLC compliant  - **National CoC/CoP** for your rank or role  - **Flag-State Endorsement** (for foreign-flag vessels)  - **Vaccination records** and **visas** for trading areas  - **Employment contract** from a licensed crewing agency  Keep both **certified paper copies** and **digital backups** and track all expiry dates carefully to avoid any issues mid-contract while you're working at sea.  **\*Top tip**: When you\* *[create a Martide account](https://my.martide.com/en/signup), not only can you enter all of your personal information, you can also upload copies of all of your seafarer and travel documents too. This keeps them safe and easy to access – no matter where in the world you are.*  ![a laptop with Martide's seafarer jobs website on it](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/117dd766-6dc0-4fa5-dda5-da85036d6800) ### **Endorsements that improve employability for Polish seafarers**  Boost your job prospects with certifications matching popular Polish fleet types:  - Tanker familiarization and advanced oil/chemical/gas courses  - Passenger ship crowd and crisis management  - [Ro-Ro vessel](https://blog.martide.com/all-about-roro-ships/) operations  - Dynamic Positioning (DP) Operator  - High-voltage competence for engineers and ETOs  - Ship Security Officer (SSO)  - STCW refresher training every **five years**  While many Polish maritime companies sponsor additional endorsements once you're employed and working as a seafarer, having the key ones upfront can make it quicker and easier to find your first – or next – job at sea.  ### **How long does it take to find a seafarer job in Poland?**  Timelines can vary and can be affected by different factors such as the length of your training courses and the availability of maritime jobs, but roughly:  - **Ratings:** A few months from pre-sea training to your first job at sea  - **Deck/Engine Officers:** 2–3 years, including academy study and cadet sea time  - **ETO:** Technical degree plus an approved course plus trainee sea phase  Remember, you'll need **refresher training every five years** and additional management-level courses as you advance to senior officer ranks.  ![a man surrounded by maritime posters using his laptop and books to study](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/8607deab-5a36-40be-5357-36b6e4fb8d00) ### **What soft skills matter to Polish maritime employers?**  Certificates may get you on board, but your professionalism and personality keep you there.  - Clear **English and** **[SMCP](https://blog.martide.com/what-is-maritime-english/)** [communication](https://blog.martide.com/what-is-maritime-english/)  - Strong **teamwork and safety awareness**  - **Digital proficiency** (ECDIS, PMS, reporting)  - **Punctuality, respect, and sound decision-making**  - Flawless **documentation discipline** - your TRB and sea-service letters are your career passport.  ### **Quick Polish seafarer job checklist**  Here's the lowdown on how to start your maritime career in Poland and find your first offshore job or job at sea:  - Choose your department: Deck, Engine, ETO or Steward  - Decide your entry route: Officer cadet or rating  - Complete **STCW Basic Training** and pass a medical  - Obtain your **Seafarer's Book** and **SID**  - Land a **cadetship or berth** via a licensed manning agency  - Maintain an accurate **Training Record Book**  - Complete **stream-specific courses**  - Pass **national competency exams**  - Keep **certificates valid** and **endorsements current**  ### **Polish jobs at sea: a summary**  Poland's maritime career pathway is **structured, internationally recognized, and respected worldwide**. Whether you start as a cadet or a rating, your progress depends on **approved training, documented sea service, medical fitness, and diligent recordkeeping**.  ![a young woman working in a ship's electrician job](https://imagedelivery.net/MN7lylkJmHINZhrMCwblyA/c2ef823c-1b6c-438d-e7ca-8217adfcfe00) Choose your fleet type early - tankers, bulk carriers, [offshore support vessels](https://blog.martide.com/all-about-offshore-vessels/), container ship or cruise ships - and pursue the right **endorsements**. Keep your certificates up to date, back up your documents digitally, and take pride in your TRB - it's your most valuable career record.  And when you're ready for your next opportunity, don't forget to check out the **[latest maritime job openings on Martide](https://www.martide.com/en/jobs)**[!](https://www.martide.com/en/jobs)   **_Disclaimer:_** _The information above is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing and is provided for_ **_informational purposes only_** _as a starting guide. Requirements change and can vary by authority, flag, company, and vessel type. We_ **_highly recommend_** _checking the latest guidance from Poland's_ **\*Maritime Offices (Urzędy Morskie)**/national maritime administration, your chosen maritime university/training provider, and your employer or crewing agency before making any decisions.\*  ### Further reading on how to start working in a seafarer job  Looking for information on how to start working as a seafarer for other nationalities? Check out the following guides in this series:  - [How to Become a Seafarer - General Overview](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-a-guide-to-training/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in the Philippines](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-the-philippines/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in India](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-india/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Ukraine](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-ukraine/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Indonesia](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-indonesia/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Latvia](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-latvia-a-practical-guide/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in the United Kingdom](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-the-uk/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Sri Lanka](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-sri-lanka/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Greece ](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-greece/) - [How to Become a Seafarer in Nigeria](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-nigeria/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in the United States](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-the-usa/)  - [How to Become a Seafarer in Bangladesh ](https://blog.martide.com/how-to-become-a-seafarer-in-bangladesh/)