What is a Seaman’s Book?

The seaman’s discharge book is a record of the seafarer’s employment history. It also includes any certificates they may have held.

There will be a service record that contains information about the seafarer’s travel and employment history. It includes where and when they went and what vessel they worked on.

Understanding the Seaman’s Service Book

The Seaman’s Service Book (SSB) operates as a continuous record of a seaman’s service. This document certifies the holder as a seaman. 

The certification is in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Purpose of Seaman’s Book

The SSB is needed for crew transit visas and to track work on a merchant ship. It serves two purposes: 

• obtaining crew transit visas 
• monitoring work on a merchant ship 

Countries may issue similar service books under different names like Seaman Record Book or Seaman Discharge Book. All ship crew members must have an SSB and a Seaman Identity Document (SID). This requirement applies to all crew members, regardless of their status on the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.

The Value of a Seaman’s Book

The Seaman’s Book can serve as a travel document, supplementing or sometimes replacing a passport. An individual who typically needs a visa to enter a foreign country may bypass this requirement. Instead, they can present a Seaman’s Book and proof of joining or leaving a vessel.

This rule applies in countries partaking in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 108 and, in some cases, ILO No. 185.

Contents of a Seaman’s Book

The Seaman’s Service Book contains a wealth of information, including:

• Seafarer’s Name
• Recent Photograph
• Age 
• Gender
• Identification Marks
• Nationality 
• Address
• A unique service Book Identification Number
• Birth details (date and place)
• Record issuance and expiry dates
• Name and Rank of the issuing authority

The book contains various employment records. These records include company name, rank, discharge details, voyage summaries, promotion records, visa endorsements, official notices, and vessel skill sets.

Acquiring a Seaman’s Book

Cruise lines do not provide Seaman’s Books. Instead, they are issued by the country whose flag the ship flies. Seafarers, including licensed officers, often apply for a Seaman’s Book. It’s a crucial document, officially called the Seaman’s Identification Record Book. 

Seaman’s Book Requirements

This book is issued after a thorough process. Applicants first secure an online appointment. Next, they provide essential details and documents. A key requirement is a valid medical certificate, ensuring seafarers’ health for sea voyages.

Once approved, the Seaman’s Book becomes their professional passport, highlighting their credentials and sea service. Seafarers can have a book from their home country. In some countries, for issuance of this book may necessitate a separate course. This may include passing an exam or meeting documentary requirements. 

The Alternative: Certificate of Discharge

In place of a Seaman’s Book, a certificate of discharge can serve similar purposes. Many registered shipping companies issue these certificates. 

Yachting companies and private yachts also offer them as they contribute significantly to a person’s career. The Seaman’s Book is essentially a tool for officially recording time and experience at sea.

Getting a Seaman’s Discharge Book

Before boarding a ship or vessel, seafarers need the Seaman’s Book rather than a visa or passport. The Maritime Industry Authority, or MARINA ( Marina office), is the only organization that publishes the Seaman’s Book. Discharge Books are not primary identity documents.

Initially issued by the flag state of the seafarer’s ship or their home country, they mainly serve as a service record.

Few Examples

Many countries issue a Seaman’s Book to their mariners. For instance, the United States offers a Merchant Mariner Credential. The Philippines provides a Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book.

In the United Kingdom, it’s the Discharge Book. India issues a Continuous Discharge Certificate, while Indonesia presents the Seafarer’s Book. These documents serve as proof of a seafarer’s professional journey.

Conclusion

The Seafarer’s Discharge Book records the dates and ports of joining and leaving the vessel. It cannot be filled in retroactively. Seafarers can bring their Discharge Book to other ships. 

The entries in the book count as a record of their service on all ships. It’s an essential step for anyone eager to ply the world’s oceans professionally.