Registration of seafarers
In order to be entered on the seafarers’ registers kept by the competent Maritime Authority, and to take up the profession of seafarer, applicants must meet the following conditions:
1)- Be a national of the State in which registration is requested; however, applicants who are nationals of landlocked member states of the C.E.M.A.C. may apply for registration on the seafarers’ registers of any coastal member state;
2)- In accordance with the provisions of ILO Convention No. 138 of 1973, be the minimum age of 16, or 15 if enrolled in a maritime vocational training center or school duly recognized by the competent maritime authority;
3)- Have the physical fitness required by the regulations of each member state, such fitness to be ascertained by a medical doctor;
4)- Not have incurred one of the convictions mentioned in article 329 of the law.
Any conviction for a criminal or correctional offence resulting in deprivation of liberty for more than six months, or any unsuspended prison sentence of more than two months, or a suspended prison sentence of more than six months for pimping or drug trafficking, is an obstacle to seafarer status.
All seafarers embarking on a vessel receive either a maritime identity card, or a professional seaman’s booklet.
Any seafarer from a C.E.M.A.C. member state, guilty of having sold or lent his maritime identity card or professional booklet maritime identity card or professional booklet shall be automatically struck off the register, without prejudice to the penal sanctions which will be taken against him and his accomplice for use of forgery.
With the exception of the cases provided for in articles 329 and 331 of the law, the following may be struck off the rolls:
– Any sailor who, except in cases of justified force majeure, has not sailed for three years;
– Any sailor who so requests;
– Any sailor who, during his or her career, has been discharged for breaches of discipline or for serious misconduct in the exercise of his or her profession; in the latter case, disbarment entails permanent exclusion from the profession.
– Any sailor who loses the nationality under which he or she registered.
Add comment