8/13 – Muster procedure

With the entry into force of the Maritime Labor Act (SeeArbG) on 1 August 2013, the seafarers' muster procedure - as regulated in Sections 11 through 22 of the "Seamen’s Act" - was abolished without replacement. Until then, seafarers had to be registered and deregistered at the seamen’s offices.

The Maritime Labor Act also abolished the previous German seaman’s books. Since then, shipowners have been required to issue records of employment to their crew members. Records of employment must contain the information listed in Section 33(2) of the Maritime Labor Act. Crew members can use these records of employment to renew their certificates of competency and proficiency. Records of employment may not contain performance evaluations – that is the purpose of the (interim) employment reference. Shipping companies may determine the format of the records of employment they issue. This allows each shipping company to develop and implement the solution that works best for them. Various options are possible:

• electronic issuance of proof of sea service, provided the crew member consents, or
• individual sheets, or
• a hardcover seaman's logbook.

Since August 2013, seafarers have been able to obtain Seafarer’s Cards from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. Unlike the seaman’s book, the Seafarer’s Card is optional. The Seafarer’s Card serves as proof of professional activity in maritime shipping and is neither a substitute for a passport nor an official form of identification. It is intended to facilitate the clearance as well as embarkation and disembarkation of seafarers in foreign ports. A Seafarer's Card, which is issued in credit card format, cannot be used to record seafarers' periods of sea service. The Seafarer's Card is valid for five years.