Seaman CV Example
A seaman CV presents your maritime qualifications, sea service record, and competencies for positions aboard merchant vessels and offshore installations.
Recommended template: VibrantPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- List your STCW certificates and any additional maritime qualifications prominently.
- Include your sea service record with vessel names, types, and gross tonnage.
- Highlight your rank progression and any specialist endorsements.
- Mention experience with specific vessel types such as tankers, bulk carriers, or container ships.
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A seaman CV differs from shore-based CVs in that it must clearly present your maritime certifications, sea service record, and vessel experience in a format familiar to shipping companies and crewing agencies. Your competence, safety awareness, and reliability are paramount. Employers need to verify your qualifications quickly, so structure your CV to make certificates, endorsements, and sea time immediately accessible.
CV Structure
Open with a personal profile summarising your rank, total sea service, and vessel types. Follow with a sea service record table listing vessel names, types, gross tonnage, company, rank held, and dates of service. Include a detailed certifications section listing all STCW certificates, endorsements, and medical fitness certificates. Add a brief education section and any additional skills or languages.
CV Format
Use a clean, professional template optimised for the maritime industry. Consider presenting your sea service record in a table format for clarity. List certifications with certificate numbers, dates of issue, and expiry dates. Ensure the document is easy to print and photocopy, as some crewing agencies still process physical applications.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Able Seaman
Competent and disciplined able seaman with seven years of sea service aboard bulk carriers and general cargo vessels ranging from 25,000 to 75,000 GT. Holds full STCW certification, an Efficient Deck Hand certificate, and endorsements for proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats. Experienced in watchkeeping, cargo operations, and vessel maintenance with a strong commitment to maritime safety standards.
Third Officer
MCA-certificated third officer with four years of sea service and a Class 3 Certificate of Competency (Deck). Experienced in bridge watchkeeping, ECDIS navigation, and safety management systems aboard container vessels operating on European and Far East trade routes. Dedicated to professional development with a structured plan to progress to second officer within two years.
Cadet / Junior Seaman
Motivated deck cadet nearing completion of the MCA Phase 1 cadetship programme, with twelve months of sea time logged aboard a 45,000 GT product tanker. Gaining practical experience in navigation, cargo operations, and vessel maintenance while completing the HND in Nautical Science. Eager to build a long-term career at sea and progress through the officer ranks.
State your current rank or rating, total sea time in months, and the vessel types you have served aboard. Mention your key certifications and any specialist endorsements. Include a sentence about your career ambitions, such as progressing to the next rank or specialising in a particular vessel type.
Key Skills for Your Seaman CV
STCW Certification
Holding valid certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
Deck/Engine Operations
Performing practical deck or engine room duties including equipment operation, maintenance, and cargo handling.
Navigation
Contributing to safe navigation through competent lookout, helm duties, and understanding of COLREGS and chart work.
Safety Drills & Procedures
Participating in and leading emergency drills including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, and enclosed space rescue.
Watchkeeping
Standing competent bridge or engine room watches, maintaining vigilance, and following standing orders throughout the watch period.
Cargo Handling
Assisting with loading, securing, monitoring, and discharging cargo in accordance with safe operating procedures.
Maritime Regulations
Understanding and complying with ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, and flag state requirements applicable to the vessel.
Emergency Response
Responding effectively to onboard emergencies including fire, flooding, grounding, and medical incidents.
Work Experience Examples
Present your sea service in reverse chronological order, with each entry including the vessel name, type, gross tonnage, operating company, your rank, and the dates of each voyage or contract. Describe your duties and responsibilities for each position. Include achievements such as safety records, commendations, or involvement in significant operations like drydocking or surveys.
Able Seaman
Pacific Basin Shipping — MV Pacific Endeavour (56,000 GT Bulk Carrier)
Served as able seaman aboard a Supramax bulk carrier trading internationally on Atlantic and Pacific routes, carrying grain, coal, and mineral ores.
Responsibilities
- Stood bridge lookout and helm watches as part of a three-watch system under the officer of the watch during ocean passages.
- Participated in cargo loading and discharge operations, operating deck winches and monitoring hold ventilation during bulk cargo carriage.
- Carried out planned maintenance on deck equipment including mooring winches, derricks, hatch covers, and safety equipment.
- Participated in weekly safety drills including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, and enclosed space rescue exercises.
- Assisted with mooring and unmooring operations in ports worldwide, handling lines and working with tugs and shore gangs.
Achievements
- Completed 18 consecutive months of sea service without a single lost-time incident or near-miss report attributed to my watch.
- Selected by the chief officer to lead the deck maintenance team during a drydock period, coordinating painting and steelwork repairs across four holds.
- Earned a commendation from the master for calm and effective action during a heavy weather event in the North Atlantic.
Ordinary Seaman
James Fisher & Sons — MV Fisher Dorada (8,500 GT General Cargo Vessel)
Served as ordinary seaman aboard a coastal and short-sea trading vessel operating around the UK, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean.
Responsibilities
- Maintained lookout duties during coastal and pilotage passages, reporting contacts and navigational hazards to the bridge team.
- Assisted with cargo securing using lashing rods, turnbuckles, and dunnage for steel coils, timber, and project cargo.
- Performed daily housekeeping duties on deck and in accommodation areas, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards.
- Operated the ship's stores system, receiving deliveries and maintaining inventory records under the bosun's supervision.
Achievements
- Passed the MCA Efficient Deck Hand oral examination on the first attempt during my second sea phase.
- Volunteered for additional watchkeeping hours during crew shortages, earning recognition from the master for reliability and commitment.
Education & Qualifications
List your maritime education including cadetship programmes, HND or degree in nautical science, and the training institution attended. Include dates and grades. Any additional academic qualifications should follow. Professional development courses such as ECDIS, ARPA, and GMDSS should be listed in the certifications section.
STCW Basic Safety Training
Mandatory training covering personal survival, fire fighting, first aid, and personal safety for all seafarers.
Certificate of Competency
MCA-issued certificate confirming competence at a specific officer rank, obtained through examination and sea service.
ENG1 Medical Certificate
Seafarer medical fitness certificate issued by an MCA-approved doctor, valid for two years.
ECDIS Type-Specific Training
Training on Electronic Chart Display and Information System equipment specific to the make and model fitted aboard a vessel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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