Seafarers Recruitment

Turkish Seafarers: Documents, Recognition and Jobs

Turkish seafarers crew a large Turkish-owned fleet of bulk carriers, general cargo ships, tankers and ro-ro ships, many under foreign flags, and also work for international owners. Officers train at university maritime faculties, for example in Istanbul and Izmir, and at maritime vocational schools.

Certificates and seaman’s book in Turkey

Certificates of Competency and proficiency are issued by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, after the national examinations.
Turkish CoCs come in two trading categories: Uzakyol (unlimited, ocean-going), for example Uzakyol Kaptanı (Master) or Uzakyol Başmühendisi (Chief Engineer), and Kıyı (near-coastal). A Kıyı certificate limits the holder to near-coastal voyages, so for ocean-going foreign-flag ships employers ask for Uzakyol certificates.
The Turkish seaman’s book (gemiadamı cüzdanı) is also issued under the maritime administration; check the issuing office for renewals.

STCW status and recognition by foreign flags

Turkey is a Party to the STCW Convention and appears on the IMO list of Parties confirmed as giving full and complete effect to it (the “white list”, IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1164 and its revisions). Check the latest revision before relying on it.

Turkish-owned ships under foreign flags need the flag’s STCW Reg. I/10 endorsement for Turkish officers. Flags verify the CoC with the Turkish administration before endorsing; check each flag’s list of recognised countries.

What employers ask Turkish seafarers for

Uzakyol CoC for ocean-going ships, with the flag endorsement
Turkish seaman’s book (gemiadamı cüzdanı), passport and seafarer medical certificate
Sea service on the same ship type, for example general cargo, bulk carriers or tankers
For Black Sea, Mediterranean and European trades, some employers ask for a Schengen visa

Endorsements and seaman’s books for foreign flags

Our partner International Ship Registry handles flag endorsements of CoCs (STCW Reg. I/10) and seaman’s books for ratings, for example the Belize seaman’s book, on behalf of seafarers and crewing agencies.

How to register

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Choose Turkish as nationality, then add your rank, sea service, CoC, STCW certificates, medical and seaman’s book, and upload copies.
Make your profile visible to verified employers and apply to the jobs for your rank.

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Jobs by rank and ship type

Seafarers of other nationalities

Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.