A vessel is only as good as the people on board. In Nigeria’s busy shipping and offshore sectors, finding seafarers who are properly qualified, certified, medically fit and ready to work can make the difference between a smooth operation and an expensive delay. This guide explains what to check when you crew a vessel, and what a good crewing agency in Nigeria should do for you.
What STCW means for your crew
The STCW Convention (the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended, including the 2010 Manila Amendments) sets the minimum standards seafarers must meet worldwide. In practice it means:
- Certificates of Competency (CoC) for officers and engineers, matched to the rank and the vessel’s size and power
- Certificates of Proficiency for specific skills, such as basic safety training, survival craft and advanced firefighting
- Refresher training at the required intervals
- Rest hours that protect against fatigue on watch
In Nigeria, NIMASA is the maritime administration responsible for seafarer certification and standards.
Documents to check before anyone joins
- A valid Certificate of Competency or Proficiency for the role, with any flag-state endorsement required
- A valid seafarer medical certificate
- A passport and seafarer identity document or discharge book
- Training certificates relevant to the vessel, for example tanker familiarisation for tankers or specialist training for offshore work
- Sea-service records and references from previous employers
Tip: never rely on photocopies alone. A good crewing partner verifies certificates with the issuing authority before a seafarer is offered a contract.
Safe manning: getting the numbers right
Every vessel has a Minimum Safe Manning Document, issued by its flag state, which sets the minimum number and grades of crew needed to operate safely. Your crew list must meet it at all times, including during crew changes. Operational needs, such as round-the-clock work offshore, often call for more crew than the minimum.
Welfare, contracts and the MLC
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) sets out seafarers’ rights, including written employment agreements, wages, hours of rest, accommodation, medical care and repatriation. Looking after your crew is the right thing to do, and it also improves safety, retention and performance.
Local content and Nigerian crews
Nigerian law encourages the use of Nigerian seafarers and professionals. The Cabotage Act 2003 requires vessels in domestic coastal trade to be crewed by Nigerians, subject to any waivers, and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 promotes Nigerian personnel in the oil and gas sector. Working with a crewing partner that knows the local talent pool makes compliance much easier.
What a good crewing partner does for you
- Sources the right candidates from a pool of experienced seafarers
- Screens and verifies certificates, experience and references
- Delivers orientation so crew arrive on site ready to work
- Appraises performance with a standard, documented system
- Handles logistics: travel, crew changes and repatriation
- Takes care of the paperwork: contracts, payroll and crew tax
- Checks flag-state rules on manning levels, rank and qualifications
How Alpek Marine can help
Alpek Marine supplies suitably qualified crews in line with current STCW requirements. We source the best candidates, apply rigorous screening, deliver a thorough orientation programme and supervise crew through a standard appraisal system. We also arrange crew transport and repatriation and make sure flag-state requirements are met. Read more about our crewing and manning services, or tell us what you need.
Frequently asked questions
What does STCW stand for?
STCW stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It sets the minimum training and certification standards for seafarers on seagoing vessels.
Who issues seafarer certificates in Nigeria?
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is responsible for seafarer certification and standards in Nigeria.
How quickly can a crewing agency supply crew?
It depends on the ranks, the vessel type and the documents required. Tell your crewing partner your requirements as early as possible, especially for senior officers and specialist roles.
