Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned sailor in the Maritime industry, I’m certain at some point you have heard about a Seaman’s Book. Surprisingly, not a lot of people know what the hidden benefits are by having a Seaman’s Book which is also a common name for a Discharge Book or a Seaman’s Identification and Record Book.

It’s not absolutely essential and not all marine crew have it, however it does come in handy - the discharge book is a record of career certification and experience and does not replace your passport and/or visas that are needed.

The Seaman’s Discharge Book can be issued by the ship’s flag authority to prove your sea time on and off the vessel and it does help in issuing and arranging seaman transit visa.. In addition to sea time records, the Discharge Book sometimes also allows for sea crew to travel on marine fare tickets which are often at a discounted price with additional luggage allowance.

For Filing Assistance, Contact at seamanbookbrazil@gmail.com

A Seaman’s Discharge Book (SDB), sometimes known as a Seaman's Service Book (SSB) is issued to a bonafide Seafarer who is either serving or wishing to serve, onboard a Ship. It forms a full record of a Seafarer’s sea service, career experience and certification. This Book is issued in accordance with International Labour organisation (ILO) Seafarer’s Identity Documents Convention of 1958 (Kindly read Convention C108 as revised by Convention C185). This ideally certifies that the person holding it is a ‘Seaman’ as per The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978

For Filing Assistance, Contact at seamanbookbrazil@gmail.com

You need a probably need a Seaman Book if you employed as a :

> Seafarer working on-board a registered Ship or

> Seafarer employed or will be employed on a registered ship.

You probably won’t be requiring a Seaman’s book if you’re employed on :

> Coastal shipping including car ferries, fishing boats, fast passenger crafts, coastal express steamers, tugs, cargo ships, tankers, reefers, cable ships, rescue boats and the oil & gas related fleet.

> only for the purpose of testing the ship, its machinery or equipment in coastal waters.

> specifically for the construction, alteration, repair or testing of a ship in coastal waters on an un-registered ship.

For Filing Assistance, Contact at seamanbookbrazil@gmail.com

To apply for a Seafarer Discharge Book you will need to:

> Complete the required Application Form;

> Enclose a copy of any Certificate of Competency held (for specified licenced ranks);

> Enclose copies of your valid STCW “Basic Training” certificates issued under STCW Chapter VI (Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions). As a minimum you must hold the following certificates of proficiency –

>> Personal Survival Techniques (PST);

>> Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF);

>> Elementary First Aid (EFA); and

>> Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR);

AND

>> Ship Security Awareness (SSA) or Security Training for Seaferers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD)

(Safety Courses not applicable for rank of Marine Technician - Fixed Rigs for select flags)

> Enclose a copy of your current passport identification and address page if any (you do not need to send your original passport);

> Enclose a copy of your valid Seafarer Medical Certificate; and

>> Send two original passport style photographs.

Please note that you do not need to send the original certificates; only the photographs and application form are to be originals. A list of Administrations whose Seafarer Medical Certificates are accepted for service are applicable for a particular registry and also full details of the application process and the required supporting documentation can be found on the Application Form itself.

For Filing Assistance, Contact at seamanbookbrazil@gmail.com