Certificates of competence for nationally operating commercial vessels
Since 1 January 2025 it has been obligatory for the captain of a commercial vessel sailing in the Caribbean Netherlands to have at least a valid Boatmaster 3 certificate of competency. Boatmaster certificates of competence issued by another member state which is a signatory of the CMOU are valid in the Caribbean Netherlands and other foreign certificates of competence which can demonstrate a comparable or higher level of competency may be recognised by the Netherlands.
Boatmaster certificates of competency
The Boatmaster certificates of competency are issued by the ILT. They can be applied for by submitting the following documents to nsicn@rijksdienstcn.com:
- Completed application form
- Boatmaster grades 1, 2 of 3 diploma from a recognised training institution, or a relevant recognised certificate of competency which expired no longer than five years ago.
- A scan of an identity card or passport.
- A scan of a recent passport photo (passport quality).
- A medical fitness certificate filled in by a GP (only for grade 3) or a maritime shipping medical fitness certificate.
- A Dutch basic maritime radiotelephone certificate of competency or higher.
- A sailing time declaration issued by the applicant’s employer (only in the case of an extension).
Extra for Boatmaster grades 1 and 2
- A declaration of at least two months of relevant sailing time for Boatmaster grade 2 and three months for grade 1, completed by the applicant’s employer or demonstrated using a logbook.
- A Basic Safety certificate from a training institute recognised by the ILT.
Other certificates of competency and seafarer’s books
The ILT has subcontracted the issue of certificates of competency and seafarer’s books to the Kiwa Register. These documents can be obtained digitally via their website.
Documents