Search for "maritime course" and you will find many offers. They are not all worth the same. Training that counts towards a seafarer certificate has to come from what the regulation calls an "authorised training institution". This article explains what that definition means and what you can check before you enrol.
What "authorised" means in the regulation
The Seafarers and Maritime Pilots Regulation of 29 August 2024 defines an authorised training institution. Under the definition, these are institutions whose training has been accredited by the Administration as compliant with the STCW Convention and which have been authorised on that basis. The scope covers formal and non-formal education institutions attached to the Ministry of National Education, the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of National Defence.
In the regulation, "the Administration" means the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. So two things are needed together for training to turn into a seafarer document: the institution must be attached to one of these bodies, and it must hold authorisation from the Directorate General for the training it provides.
Authorisation is given course by course
An institution being a "maritime school" or an "STCW centre" does not mean it is authorised for every course it offers. The regulation defines courses one by one: seaman training, oiler training, basic safety training, passenger ship training, security training and more. An institution may be authorised for some of them and not for others.
So the right question is not "Is this institution authorised?" but "Is this institution authorised for the course I am taking?". General phrases in an institution's promotional material do not answer it; ask for the answer in writing, with the name of the course.
GİBS: where the records are kept
The regulation defines the Seafarer Information System (GİBS) as the system holding seafarers' registry, certificate, specialist certificate, seafarer's book, training, examination and sea service records. Under the same definition, information on authorised training institutions and on their students and trainees is processed in this system, and institutions are authorised through it.
The regulation's article on applications also states that course and training data verified in GİBS are accepted as valid. Read together, the practical result is this: for your training to count, it needs to be recorded in the system. Training that never reaches the record may not be recognised in your application, even if you hold a certificate on paper.
Five questions before you enrol
Before enrolling, you can ask the institution the following in writing:
- Are you authorised by the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs for this course, and which courses does the authorisation cover?
- Which ministry or body is your institution attached to?
- Will my record be entered into GİBS when I complete the course?
- Is the course name the same as the name used in the regulation and the Training Directive?
- Is there an examination by the Administration at the end, or is the certificate issued directly?
An institution that cannot answer these clearly deserves at least a second check. Asking the seafarer service of the harbour master's office you are registered with, or checking the official information pages of the Directorate General, prevents problems later on.
Training taken abroad
The regulation is clear here: a Turkish seafarer's book is not issued on the basis of training received abroad, and a certificate of competency obtained from a foreign administration cannot be converted into a Turkish seafarer's book and certificate. This applies even if an equivalence certificate has been obtained from the Council of Higher Education.
For a candidate aiming at a Turkish seafarer's book, this is a rule to keep in mind when choosing where to train. If you are considering a course abroad, first find out from official sources how it would count towards your goal.
Sanctions on training institutions
The regulation also contains articles on administrative sanctions and measures for persons and organisations providing seafarer training. This shows that institutions work within a supervisory framework, and that authorisation is not a permanent title. For a candidate, the meaning is simple: an institution holding authorisation at one point does not mean it always will. Checking that the authorisation is valid at the time you enrol is a sensible step.
Why the order matters
As our other guides stress, the order in which documents are obtained matters. The medical report, the seafarer's book application and mandatory training are linked. Starting training before any health issue has been ruled out carries the risk of ending up with training you cannot use. Which training is mandatory for you depends on the certificate you apply for and the type of vessel you will work on.
Frequently asked questions
Are online maritime courses valid?
Validity depends not on the format but on whether the institution is authorised for that course and whether the course is entered into GİBS. The most reliable way to find out is to ask the institution in writing.
I graduated from a maritime vocational high school. Do I need extra courses?
It depends on which courses you completed at school and which certificate you are applying for. Under the regulation, information on students at authorised institutions is also entered into GİBS. You can ask the seafarer service of your harbour master's office whether anything is missing.
What happens to a certificate from an unauthorised institution?
Training that counts towards a seafarer certificate must come from an authorised institution. You can ask your harbour master's office about the status of your certificate.