Initial issuance

• Currently longer processing time
• Initial issuance
• Prerequisites
• Application forms
• Issuance of replacement

Currently longer processing time

Due to an increased volume of applications, more complex reviews, and staffing shortages, there are currently longer processing times for the issuance of competency documents for seafarers. At present, the processing time is at least 12 weeks. We kindly ask for your understanding.

How can you helphelp ensure your application is processed quickly?

• Completeness is crucial:
  To ensure prompt and efficient processing, it is essential that you submit complete applications and sign them personally. Incomplete applications regularly lead to delays and significantly increase the processing workload. Therefore, please ensure that all required documents are available and submitted in full when you apply.
  Please verify that all required copies are attached to your application, such as a valid ID card or passport, valid maritime medical fitness certificate, certificates of proficiency for ship safety (including, if applicable, proof of completion of refresher courses), a sufficient number of passport photos, and proof of required seagoing service.
• Submitting your application in time and in full:
  The current processing time is at least three months. Therefore, if possible, please submit your application at least three months before your planned service and ensure it is complete. This is the only way we can include your application in our processing schedule.
• What to do if some documents are not yet available:
  If you are unable to submit all required documents three months before your scheduled service (e.g. due to pending refresher courses), we will try to process your complete application in time if we receive it up to two weeks before the date you go on board. In this case, please be sure to explain the urgency and note the date you go on board in the comments section.
  If it is not possible to submit a complete application even two weeks in advance (e.g. because booked refresher courses are scheduled very close to the date you go on board), please submit your incomplete application with a note indicating when which documents will be submitted later. In this case, we ask that you submit the missing documents via email to zeugnisse@bsh.de as soon as possible and without being asked.
  Please note that if documents are submitted even shortly after they should have, it may not always be possible to process them in due time.
  Please attend refresher courses well in advance of submitting your application. We recognize refresher courses and radio certificates for 6 months following participation without limitation. We will only limit the validity duration of the certificate of competency after the 6-month period has expired.

Additional important information regarding the application

• Selecting the correct competency documents:
  Please apply only for certificates for which you meet all the requirements for issuance (see the last pages of the application and in the list of attachments, which appears as soon as a certificate is selected).
• Correctly completing and submitting the application:
  First, complete the application online and then use the PDF icon to generate a PDF file. Only after that, print it out.
• Signatures:
  You must personally sign the application by hand. The signature must be in the original and match the signature on the copy of your ID card or passport. If fees are covered by a third party (e.g. by your employer), a corresponding signature from that third party is also required.
• Proof of seagoing service:
  If you have personally confirmed your seagoing service as a master, a signed and stamped confirmation from your employer is also required (e.g. a tabular overview listing the ship’s name, IMO numbers, GT, service rank on board, start and end dates of each voyage, and the ship’s radio equipment, etc.).
• Contact:
  Please direct inquiries preferably by e-mail to zeugnisse@bsh.de and include a phone number if possible.We kindly ask that you avoid making inquiries by phone to help reduce the processing workload.

We are working hard to clear the backlog.

If you need a certificate of competency very quickly due to a short-term assignment on board, please let us know. We will then do everything we can to ensure that you receive your certificate of competency from us on time.

The extended processing times apply to the issuance of German certificates of competency, but do not affect endorsements of foreign certificates of competency, for which we generally require a maximum of 3 business days.

By following the points mentioned above, you will significantly help to reduce the overall processing time.

Thank you for your assistance!

Initial issuance of certificates for seafarers

The BSH is responsible for issuing all certificates for seafarers; this includes the seafarer's card.

Exception: The Seemannsamt Rostock (in German only) is exclusively responsible for the initial issuance of certificates of competency as Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NWO), Engineering Watchkeeping Officer (TWO) and Electro-technical Officer (ETO), if the applicants were graduates of the maritime university / technical college in Warnemünde. If the training did not correspond to the standard training course, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency is responsible.

Requirements

To obtain a certificate for the first time, you must meet certain requirements. Details can be found in the relevant application forms. To do so, please select the required certificate at the beginning of the online application; depending on your selection, the list of required documents at the end of the application will change. The requirements may include specific periods of seagoing service. You can find details on this in the information on seagoing service · ships.

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Application forms

Please note the following:

• You can process only one form at a time (not several).
• You must send your applications to the BSH by post or fax (applications by e-mail are not possible).
• For the sake of environment: Please send your applications to BSH without plastic envelopes or folders.

Data protection declaration

• Guide - electronic forms
• SEPA-Basislastschrift-Mandat(Direct Debit Authorization)
• Antrag auf Erstausstellung von Befähigungszeugnissen und -nachweisen direkt nach Abschluss an einer Fach(hoch)schule (application for the initial issuance of certificates of competency or proficiency right after graduation from a technical college or university of applied sciences)
  (in German only)
• Antrag auf Ausstellung von Befähigungszeugnissen für die nächsthöhere Dienststellung an Bord (application for the issuance of certificates of competency or proficiency for the subsequent rank on board)
  (in German only)
• Antrag auf Erstausstellung, Gültigkeitsverlängerung und Umtausch von Seefunkzeugnissen (application for initial issuance, extension of validity and exchange of radio operator's certificates)
  (in German only)
• Application for the Issuance of Certificates of Proficiency
  (Deck Department, Engine Department, General Purpose Ratings, Safety, Security)
• Application for the Issuance of Certificates of Proficiency for Service on certain Types of Ships
  (Passenger Ships, IGF, Polar-Ships, Tankers)
• Antrag auf Ausstellung von Befähigungsnachweisen für Schiffsmechaniker in der Berufsausbildung (application for issuance of certificates of proficiency for ship's mechanics during training)
  (in German only)

If more than one certificate is issued for a seafarer at the same time, the fees may be reduced. Click here for more information on fees.

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Issuance of replacement

• Application for the replacement of Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP)

For the issuance of a replacement radio operator's certificate that was not not issued by the BSH, please contact the Deutschen Seglerverband e.V. (in German only), Gründgenstraße 18, 22309 Hamburg.

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