BECOMING A SEAMAN

The average salary for seaman depends on position, employer, and salary guidelines set by the Maritime Board, but one thing is for sure: you can earn minimum of $1,000 every month. This is the reason why many Filipinos are aspiring to become a seaman because aside from the salary, you get to travel the world as part of your job.

Riding the ship is not as easy as it seems. There are requirements you need to fulfil, which include training and submission of certain documents. If you are planning to become a seaman, here’s what you need to do to be able to fulfil that dream:

1) Take the Basic Seaman Training (BST) Course

This is the first thing you need to do if you want to become a seaman. The BST course is a seven-day training course that includes the following:

Personal Survival Training
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
First Aid
Firefighting and fire prevention
Make sure to get a certification of completion because BST is used and recognized worldwide to allow aspiring seamen to work on boats or ships. Once you have a certification, you can now start your maritime career.

You can enrol in training centres and schools recognized and accredited by Maritime Training Council of the Philippines, OWWA, and TESDA.

In Nigeria, your best bet is Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN),Oron and other maritime training institutions scattered all over the country.

The training course also costs P4, 500 or higher, depending on the training centre you are applying to.

2) Apply for the Seaman’s requirements.

These include the following:

BST Certificate, which you will get once you complete the training.
Seaman’s Book, or a document that serves as your passport in the maritime industry. You can apply for a Seaman’s Book through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Transit visa, your employer will likely assist you in getting one as soon as you are hired.
3) Apply for a job in marine and shipping agencies.

When applying for a job, make sure to check the NIMASA website for a list of legitimate and accredited agencies to avoid falling for scam. This may take some time, so be patient.

4) Legitimize your status as seaman.

Once hired, don’t forget to register at NIMASA to legitimize your status as an official and registered Filipino seaman. You will also be issued a Seafarer’s Registration Certificate (SRC) as soon as your status is legitimized.

5) Constantly look for learning opportunities.

Don’t settle with riding a ship and being able to send remittance to your family back home. If time permits, make sure to look for learning opportunities, which you can use to boost your credentials as a seaman. There are many maritime programs you can apply for to boost your knowledge.