Requirements for the master and the crew members on a ship
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Depending on their position on board a ship, each crew member must meet certain requirements in terms of training and/or nationality.
They all have to hold a seaman's book. The seaman's book is a travel document which allows to record the navigation time of its holder on a ship flying the Luxembourg flag.
The seaman's book but also other mandatory certificates are issued by the Luxembourg Maritime Administration (Commissariat aux affaires maritimes - CAM).
In order to provide proof of the navigation time on board a ship flying the Luxembourg flag, a certificate of service can be issued by the CAM.
Who is concerned
Each crew member on a Luxembourg ship must have a seaman's book in their name and the diplomas or certificates which are necessary to carry out their profession.
Prerequisites
In order to obtain a seaman's book, the maritime company or maritime manager must have obtained accreditation from the Minister responsible for maritime affairs.
Depending on the person's tasks on board the ship, various conditions of nationality and/or training apply:
- the master of a ship flying the Luxembourg flag must be a citizen of an EU Member State and hold a recognised ship's Master certificate.
A waiver to the nationality requirement can be issued by the CAM under special conditions (particular commercial or navigational needs, origin of the ship, etc.); - the ship's officers (bridge/engine) must hold duly recognised certificates of competency/proficiency.
- Seamen who are responsible for preparing the meals must hold the Cook's certificate, which provides proof of the required training and qualification for said position.
How to proceed
Filing an application
Applicants must file their application for:
- a seaman's book;
- endorsement attesting recognition of the STCW certificate of competency/proficiency;
- certificates of service;
- the Cook's certificate;
- the exemptions from the nationality condition for the master of a ship flying the Luxembourg flag;
via the MyGuichet.lu assistant.
Completed applications can be saved in the applicant's eSpace until the application is finalised.
When all the fields are completed, the system generates:
- the form corresponding to the applicant's situation;
- a list of the required supporting documents (identity document, medical certificate, certificates of competency/proficiency, etc.).
Once the application is finalised and validated, it must be sent to the CAM via the secure electronic transmission system of MyGuichet.lu.
Following up on the application
Applicants can follow up on their application in their personal eSpace on MyGuichet.lu.
Online services and forms
Online services
Who to contact
-
Luxembourg Maritime Administration (CAM)
- Address:
- 3-5, rue Auguste Lumière L-1950 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 844 53
- Fax:
- (+352) 29 91 40
- Email address:
- cam@cam.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.maritime.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Circulars
on the Maritime.lu portal
-
Legislation
on the Maritime.lu portal
Legal references
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 16 mars 2012
concernant le respect des obligations de l'État du Pavillon
-
Directive (UE) 2022/993 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 8 juin 2022
concernant le niveau minimal de formation des gens de mer
-
Loi du 17 juin 1994
modifiant et complétant la loi du 9 novembre 1990 ayant pour objet la création d'un registre public maritime luxembourgeois
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 24 décembre 1990
concernant l'exécution de l'article 24 de la loi du 9 novembre 1990 ayant pour objet la création d'un registre public maritime luxembourgeois
-
Loi modifiée du 9 novembre 1990
ayant pour objet la création d'un registre public maritime luxembourgeois
- International Convention and Code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
