Seaman's book for Swiss seafarers
The seaman's book is an official document that proves a person's occupation on board Swiss commercial seagoing vessels. It can make it easier to go ashore in foreign ports.
The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) issues a seaman's book to all seafarers of Swiss nationality working on board Swiss commercial seagoing vessels.
In certain cases, a seaman's book may also be issued to Swiss crew members working on board foreign commercial seagoing vessels. A prerequisite for this is that the crew members must demonstrate that the seaman's book is required for service on board, and that they will not be issued with a seaman's book by the concerned flag state.
The applicant must submit the following documents in all cases:
- Copy of valid passport;
- 2 recent passport photographs;
- Medical certificate, required under Regulation I/9 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, (STCW Convention) and Regulation 1.2 of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC);
- Record of sea service time, if applicable;
- Copy of the STCW Basic Safety Training certificate under Regulation VI/1 of the STCW Convention (copy of other STCW certificates, if available);
- Copy of the seaman's articles of agreement (to verify compliance with maritime labour law);
- For service on board a foreign commercial seagoing vessel: Confirmation from the shipowner / or flag state that the applicant requires a Swiss seaman's book for service on a commercial seagoing ship.
The SMNO does not issue seaman's books for service on yachts or coastal boats.
Links
- Federal Act on Navigation under the Swiss Flag (German, French, Italian)
- Nautilus International trade union
- Foundation Swiss-Ships
Documents
Contact
Elisabethenstrasse 33
P.O.Box
Switzerland - 4010 Basel