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REQUIREMENTS BY ROLE

What each yacht job needs on paper

Pick your department and rank. See what is mandatory, what agencies expect, what runs out when. Then keep it all in one folio.

TABLE COMPILED 19.08.2026

DEPARTMENTS

Deck

What Deck crew need on paper

Interior

What Interior crew need on paper

Galley

What Galley crew need on paper

Engineering

What Engineering crew need on paper

EVERY CREW MEMBER

Every crew member, any department

MUST HAVE

  • STCW Basic Safety Training (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR)CoP
    VALID
    PST and FPFF revalidate every 5 years. Treat EFA and PSSR as the same 5 year cycle.
    UNLOCKS
    Any paid job on a commercial or private yacht. No captain signs anyone on without it.

    SOURCE certvaultapp.com 19.08.2026

  • Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6) or Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)CoP
    VALID
    MCA guidance states no mandatory expiry for Security Awareness. Many schools sell PDSD on a 5 year cycle. Treat as 5 years.
    UNLOCKS
    Serving on an ISPS Code vessel, and holding an actual security duty under the ship security plan.

    SOURCE certifiedtraining.co.za 19.08.2026

  • ENG1 seafarer medical certificate, or a flag accepted equivalentmedical
    VALID
    2 years maximum for adults. 1 year for ages 16 to 18. Can be issued for a shorter period.
    UNLOCKS
    Being fit to join. It is the MLC Regulation 1.2 medical every seafarer must hold before starting work, and it gates every MCA certificate of competency.

    SOURCE ukshipregister.co.uk 19.08.2026

  • Passportidentity
    VALID
    Commonly 5 or 10 years by issuing state. Many countries require 6 months validity remaining at entry, plus 1 to 2 blank pages.
    UNLOCKS
    Crossing every border the boat crosses, and every flight taken to join or leave a boat.

    SOURCE cbp.gov 19.08.2026

  • US B1/B2 visatravelCONDITIONAL
    VALID
    Stamp valid up to 10 years depending on reciprocity. Each stay is capped by the I-94, typically 6 months.
    UNLOCKS
    Entering US waters aboard the yacht, and flying in to join a boat in the United States.

    SOURCE dockwalk.com 19.08.2026

  • Seaman's discharge book or approved service record bookadmin
    VALID
    No expiry. Entries are added per voyage.
    UNLOCKS
    A verifiable sign on and sign off record, which is the evidence every certificate of competency application is built on, and the document Spanish port immigration now stamps.

    SOURCE evolutionagents.com 19.08.2026

  • MLC Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA)admin
    VALID
    Runs for the length of the contract stated in it. No separate renewal.
    UNLOCKS
    Legal employment on board. Port State Control checks for a valid SEA on every seafarer and a missing one is a named common deficiency.

    SOURCE edumaritime.net 19.08.2026

  • Sea service testimonials and Training Record Book (TRB)adminCONDITIONAL
    VALID
    Testimonials must cover the last 12 months of service. The TRB is filled in over roughly 1 to 3 years and presented at the oral exam.
    UNLOCKS
    Progression to any certificate of competency. Without it the sea time does not count.

    SOURCE gov.uk 19.08.2026

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificatemedicalCONDITIONAL
    VALID
    Valid for the life of the person vaccinated, since the WHO amendment to International Health Regulations Annex 7 on 11 July 2016. No booster required.
    UNLOCKS
    Going ashore in countries that require proof of vaccination for arrivals from at risk countries, among them Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

    SOURCE who.int 19.08.2026

  • Flag state endorsement of a certificate of competencyendorsementCONDITIONAL
    VALID
    Tied to the underlying CoC. Malta endorsements revalidate on the same 5 year cycle as the CoC. Marshall Islands certificates issued by examination are valid 5 years and a temporary Certificate of Receipt of Application is valid 90 days. Cayman validity is unverified beyond tracking the CoC.
    UNLOCKS
    Serving on that flag's vessels in that rank. It is a separate document from the CoC and the CoC alone is not enough.

    SOURCE cishipping.com 19.08.2026

EXPECTED

  • Schengen Seaman Short Stay (Type C) visatravelCONDITIONAL
    VALID
    1 to 5 years depending on contract and prior Schengen visa history. Entries capped at 90 days in any rolling 180 day period.
    UNLOCKS
    Personal travel and time ashore in the Schengen area for crew who are not Schengen nationals.

    SOURCE smartmovecrew.com 19.08.2026

  • References from previous captains or heads of departmentadmin
    VALID
    No expiry, but agencies weigh recency more heavily than count.
    UNLOCKS
    Getting past the agency shortlist. It is not a legal requirement anywhere.

    SOURCE dockwalk.com 19.08.2026

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