Becoming a seafarer in Bangladesh as a career change
Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.
Age limits
- The BMA cadet programme has an age limit of 21.
- Under STCW, a candidate for officer in charge of a navigational watch must be at least 18.
Entry through your shore profession
| Your profession on shore | Role at sea | Course | Where and on what terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult without maritime education | Trainee rating (deck or engine) | Pre-sea rating course at an approved institute | Trainee ratings are admitted to government and private institutes through an integrated test. After the pre-sea rating course, the GSO issues the CDC. |
| Cook | Ship's cook | Pre-sea rating course and CDC | No seafarer under 18 may work as a ship's cook. |
Minimum set of documents
- All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
- A CDC from the GSO.
- Medical endorsement through the GSO.
- Seafarer registration and a roster book.
Costs and timing: official fees only
- The BMA nautical degree takes 4 years.
- The first 24 months are at the academy, followed by 12 months of paid sea service.
How to avoid scams
- Use only recruitment agents on the DOS list of approved seafarer recruitment agents; the list shows licence numbers and expiry dates.
- Seafarer recruitment agents are licensed under the 2005 licensing rules.
- Seafarers' certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency and CDCs can be verified online through the DOS website.
- Check that a training institute is on the DOS list of approved maritime training institutes.
- Under the MLC 2006, recruitment and placement fees must not be charged to the seafarer.
First job: starter vacancies
Live vacancies on Krew Guru for starter positions. Vacancies without any sea experience are rare, so we do not promise a job without it.
No open starter vacancies right now. Upload your CV and we will send you matching vacancies.
Krew Guru numbers
89% of open vacancies on Krew Guru accept citizens of Bangladesh.
Seafarer profiles from Bangladesh on Krew Guru: 650+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Department of Shipping (DOS)