Bosun / Boatswain: required documents
Department: Deck Department · verified 22.07.2026 against editions in force
Required documents
- Seaman's Identity Document (SID)Basis: ILO Convention No. 185 (Seafarer identity documents)
- International Passport
- Seaman's Book / Seaman's Record Book (SIRB/CDC)
- Medical Fitness Certificate (STCW I/9)Basis: STCW Convention, Regulation I/9 and Section A-I/9; Russian Ministry of Health Order No. 714n (01.11.2022); MLC 2006, Standard A1.2 (medical certificate)
- Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer Deck (STCW II/5)Basis: Russian Ministry of Transport Order No. 378 (08.11.2021); STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers (STCW A-VI/6-1)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW VI/3)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Basic Safety Training (STCW VI/1)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (STCW VI/2)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010); SOLAS Convention (Regulation III/10)
Additional documents
Not mandatory, but they widen the range of suitable vessels and vacancies.
- Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (STCW V/1-1)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (STCW V/1-2)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Basic Training for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (STCW V/4)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Basic Training for Ships Using Fuel with Low Flashpoint (STCW V/3)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Bosun Training Certificate
- Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (STCW VI/2 §2)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010); SOLAS Convention (Regulation III/10)
- Crowd Management Training (STCW V/2-1)Basis: STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- Ship Crane Operator Certificate
- BOSIET / HUET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training, OPITO)Basis: Industry standards (OPITO, IRATA, GWO)
Normative base
- ILO Convention No. 185 (Seafarer identity documents)
- STCW Convention, Regulation I/9 and Section A-I/9
- Russian Ministry of Health Order No. 714n (01.11.2022)
- MLC 2006, Standard A1.2 (medical certificate)
- Russian Ministry of Transport Order No. 378 (08.11.2021)
- STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010)
- SOLAS Convention (Regulation III/10)
- Industry standards (OPITO, IRATA, GWO)
Frequently asked questions
Which documents are required for the Bosun / Boatswain position?
Seaman's Identity Document (SID); International Passport; Seaman's Book / Seaman's Record Book (SIRB/CDC); Medical Fitness Certificate (STCW I/9); Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer Deck (STCW II/5); Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers (STCW A-VI/6-1); Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW VI/3); Basic Safety Training (STCW VI/1); Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (STCW VI/2)
Which additional documents improve chances for the Bosun / Boatswain position?
Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (STCW V/1-1); Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (STCW V/1-2); Basic Training for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (STCW V/4); Basic Training for Ships Using Fuel with Low Flashpoint (STCW V/3); Bosun Training Certificate; Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (STCW VI/2 §2); Crowd Management Training (STCW V/2-1); Ship Crane Operator Certificate; BOSIET / HUET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training, OPITO)
Which normative documents is this list based on?
ILO Convention No. 185 (Seafarer identity documents); STCW Convention, Regulation I/9 and Section A-I/9; Russian Ministry of Health Order No. 714n (01.11.2022); MLC 2006, Standard A1.2 (medical certificate); Russian Ministry of Transport Order No. 378 (08.11.2021); STCW Convention 1978, as amended (Manila 2010); SOLAS Convention (Regulation III/10); Industry standards (OPITO, IRATA, GWO)
Looking for a job as Bosun / Boatswain?
Live vacancies from shipowners and crewing companies, updated daily.
Browse vacanciesReference information based on normative documents, not legal advice. Final requirements are set by the employer and the flag administration.