SEAFARERS

A Vanuatu vessel shall not be navigated unless it has, in its service and on board, a complement of officers and crew, as is necessary for safe navigation. Except when prevented by force majeure, all officers of vessels of Vanuatu shall obtain licenses to fill their relative positions from the Deputy Commissioner, authorized to issue licenses, which comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The office of the Deputy Commissioner reviews, certifies and documents officers and ratings that sail aboard Vanuatu registered ships. Processing of seafarer identification and record books, qualification and officer certificates is done online, ensuring a swift and quality service. All seafarers certificates can be applied for and verified online. This time and cost-saving system combines security with speed, easy access, and trustworthiness.

To ensure that Vanuatu vessels are adequately and safely manned in accordance with international regulations, all vessels are required to have a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC) on board.