Training and maritime courses
There are no academies in Switzerland offering maritime courses or nautical training in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention). The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) consequently does not issue Swiss Certificates of Competency (CoC) for employment on cargo vessels or Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) for tanker ships under the STCW Convention. All required courses and certificates must be completed and obtained abroad.
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Since there are no academies in Switzerland offering maritime courses or nautical training in accordance with the STCW Convention, nautical training and further education for commercial seagoing vessels must be undertaken abroad. Certificates obtained abroad are recognised for service on Swiss-flagged commercial seagoing vessels if the issuing maritime authority is on the STCW White List maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the request of the shipping company, the SMNO issues endorsements for certificates of officers.
Further Information for trainees and aspiring seafarers
A career in the shipping industry and related sectors also requires good health and the completion of an apprenticeship or vocational or academic baccalaureate.
Shipping companies can be approached directly for internships on commercial seagoing vessels. The following documents, which must be obtained at the applicant's expense, must normally be submitted to the shipping companies:
- Medical certificate, required under Regulation I/9 of the STCW Convention and Regulation 1.2 of the MLC (Medical requirements);
- Copy of the STCW Basic Safety Training certificate under Regulation VI/1 of the STCW Convention (copy of other STCW certificates, if available).
The SMNO offers graduates of maritime academies a limited number of internships and guides diploma dissertations.
Links
Foreign academies for maritime courses and training
- Maritime Training Academy
- Berufsbildungsstelle Seeschifffahrt e.V (German)
- Maritime training in France (French)
- MCA – nautical colleges and training providers (GB)
- Norwegian Maritime Authority – overview of approved maritime schools and training institutions
- EMSA STCW information system
Documents
Contact
Elisabethenstrasse 33
P.O.Box
Switzerland - 4010 Basel