Bild: Logo Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur
Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie
Referat S 12
Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 78
20359 Hamburg


Weitere Kontaktmöglichkeiten

Phone: +49 40 31 90-71 25
Fax: +49 40 31 90-50 10
Mail: zeugnisse@bsh.de

Extension of validity

Longer processing time - Please read and note!

Due to an increased volume of applications, more extensive processing and staff shortages, applications for the issue of certificates for seafarers are currently taking longer to process. It is currently approx. 12 weeks. We apologize for this and ask for your understanding.

How can you help? / What can you do?

  1. Submit the applications at least 4 months in advance. If you already have dates for refresher courses for the safety certificates during this period, submit the copies of the certificates of attendance unsolicited by e-mail to zeugnisse@bsh.de.
  2. Make sure that the documents supporting your application are complete, usually copies of: a valid identity card or passport, a valid seaworthiness certificate, certificates of competency for ship safety (with proof of qualification for refresher courses, if applicable), a sufficient number of passport photos and proof of required seagoing service.
  3. You will find the eligibility requirements for your individual application on the last page of the respective application. Please submit all the documents listed there.
  4. If you already have a specific start date for your next assignment, please note this in the “Additional information on the application” field. This will allow us to process your application in good time.
  5. Pay attention to which certificate of competency you are applying for; for example, for a master's certificate of competency: NK is the master's certificate of competency (generally in all sailing areas on seagoing vessels of all sizes), NK 500 is the certificate of competency for master near-coastal voyage GRZ 500 and the certificate of competency NK 100 is the certificate of competency for master national voyage GRZ 100.
  6. Fill out the application online first, then click on the PDF symbol above the application (the first icon in the line). This will convert the application into a PDF file. Only then can you print out the PDF with your details.
  7. Important: Sign the application. The signature must be an original and identical to the signature on the copy of your ID card or passport submitted.
  8. A signature must also be provided by the party who may be responsible for the fees, usually the shipping company.
  9. Please make inquiries preferably by e-mail (zeugnisse@bsh.de), stating your telephone number if necessary. Please try to avoid telephone inquiries.

If you have confirmed your voyage times as captain yourself, a signed and stamped confirmation from the shipping company of your voyage times is required (e.g. a tabular overview, stating the ship's name, IMO numbers, GT, your position on board and the respective start and end of the voyage time).

By observing the above points, you will help us to reduce the processing time - thank you very much!

Validity extension of certificates for seafarers

For certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency with a limited period of validity, you must apply for an extension of validity to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). This also applies to certificates of competency issued by the "Hafen- und Seemannsamt Rostock" for graduates of maritime training facilities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

You do not have to apply for an extension of validity for:

  • the following certificates of proficiency:
    • Certificate of proficiency for service on passenger ships 
    • Basic safety training
    • Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (as well as fast rescue boats)
    • Advanced fire-fighting

The BSH does not issue new documents after participation in the respective refresher courses for these certificates of proficiency. For service on passenger ships only a kind of certificate of qualification from the course provider that is simimlar to a certificate of proficiency is accepted.
For the three other courses, the certificate of proficiency together with the current refresher course certificate of the provider are valid as proof.

  • Seafarer's Card
    It is issued with a validity of ten years and must then be re-applied for. Further information and the application form can be found on this website under Seafarer's Card.

(back to top)

bild gültigkeitsverlängerung

Prerequisite: Continued competency

Seagoing service

To extend the validity of a certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency, you must provide evidence of continued competency, which is achieved in particular with seagoing service.
For details, please refer to the relevant application forms and information on seagoing service and ships.

If you are applying for an extension of validity for a certificate of competency, but for the last five years you have mostly worked on ships that do not meet the requirements for an extension of validity or you have worked onshore, you may also demonstrate your competency with

  • seagoing service of 1 ½ months within the last five years with activities equivalent to those certified with the certificate of competency to be extended in validity and
  • approved types of work(in German only) of at least 12 months within the last five years.

Seagoing service for re-entering professionally

If the validity of your certificate of competency has expired and you have not completed any corresponding seagoing service (re-entering professionally), upon application, the BSH can issue a certificate of competency in a correspondingly lower rank so that you can complete seagoing service again. In this case, the other requirements (valid proof of identity, valid certificate of fitness for sea service, current qualifications in ship safety and security) must be met. If, however, you fail to provide proof of continued competency with this certificate, your competency will not be downgraded again at the next extension of validity.

Seagoing service on authority vessels

On merchant ships, the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code), among others, is applicable and the crew is regularly trained accordingly; authority vessels, on the other hand, are not subject to the ISM Code. If a master (NK and NK 500), chief mate, chief engineer officer or second engineer officer wish to demonstrate continued competency with seagoing service on authority vessels, they must also complete a course as defined in the ISM Code . This course serves as proof of equivalency of seagoing service on authority vessels with seagoing service on merchant ships and must meet the following criteria:

  • Participation in the course is intended to promote ship safety and marine environment protection.
  • The authority responsible for the operation of the ship has decided which course the master or ship's officer will attend.
  • In principle, the course must not be approved by the Ship Safety Division (Dienststelle Schiffssicherheit), the Maritime Medical Service (Seeärztlicher Dienst) or the BSH, as these courses are already required by legal instruments other than the ISM Code. 

(back to top)

Continued competency (nautical / maritime radio)

The continued competency (nautical) can alternatively be proven by participation in a BSH-approved course.

You can alternatively prove the continued competency as radio operator by attending an approved refresher course or by successfully passing an examination as radio operator at the BSH.

The simplified exam for maritime radio at the BSH will be held on every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, in the morning from 11:00 to 12:00. In principle, you must register ten working days before the date of the exam. You can only register for this exam in conjunction with a complete application for an extension of validity for the respective radio operator's certificate. You will be accepted for the exam if you can credibly demonstrate all other certification required for the extension of validity.

(back to top)

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

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.

(back to top)