How to become a seafarer in Ghana after school
Official rules for school students and school leavers. Check every requirement with the maritime authority before you apply or pay.
Officer: maritime academy or college
- Regional Maritime University (RMU) offers a degree and a diploma in nautical science.
- RMU's Marine Engineering Department offers degree and diploma programmes in marine engineering.
- RMU degree programmes take four years.
- RMU diploma programmes take two years.
- Degree applicants with WASSCE/SSSCE need credits in English, mathematics and integrated science.
- Candidates with elective mathematics and geography can also apply for the BSc in nautical science.
- Diploma applicants in nautical science or marine engineering need a science background.
- A candidate for officer in charge of a navigational watch must be at least 18 and have at least one year of approved seagoing service in an approved training programme.
- A candidate for officer in charge of an engineering watch must be at least 18 and have at least 12 months of seagoing service in the engine department.
Rating: rating course
- RMU's pre-sea vocational course is endorsed by the GMA as a prerequisite for the seaman's discharge book.
- The pre-sea vocational course needs at least a basic education certificate (JHS/JSS) or a higher school certificate.
- A rating forming part of a navigational watch must be at least 18 and have at least six months of approved seagoing service, including training and experience.
- An engine-room watch rating must also be at least 18.
- RMU's Marine Engine Mechanic course is a six-month vocational programme for engine-room ratings (motorman, oiler, wiper).
Exams and certification
- Certificate of competency examinations are set by the Ghana Maritime Examinations Board.
- To sit an examination, a candidate first gets a Notice of Eligibility; the GMA accepts the application only after the required training and sea service.
- Applications are due no later than 30 days before the examination.
- The certificate of competency is issued after the oral and all written examinations are passed.
- A pass in an academic subject stays valid for 5 years.
Documents in order
- Complete a pre-sea training course approved by the GMA.
- Get the four basic safety training certificates.
- Get a medical certificate of fitness for sea service issued by the GMA.
- Apply in person for the seafarer's record book (discharge book): the applicant is interviewed with the required documents.
- Officers then apply for a Notice of Eligibility and sit the certificate of competency examinations.
Cadet training at sea
- RMU nautical science and marine engineering graduates are eligible for the discharge book as deck and engine cadets.
- For an eligibility letter after sea service, the applicant first gets a confirmation of sea service from RMU.
- A deck officer candidate's sea service must be part of an approved training programme with on-board training.
Approved training institutions
Only institutions from the official list of the maritime authority. The list changes: check that the institution is still approved before you pay.
The GMA does not publish a list of approved training institutions on its site; its seafarer certification page names the Regional Maritime University as the institution whose graduates it examines and certifies, and lists RMU graduates as eligible for the discharge book.
Greater Accra
- Regional Maritime University (RMU), Nungua, AccraCourses: BSc Nautical Science; Diploma in Nautical Science; BSc Marine Engineering; Diploma in Marine Engineering; General Purpose Rating (pre-sea vocational); Marine Engine Mechanic
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.
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Krew Guru numbers
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Seafarer profiles from Ghana on Krew Guru: 700+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA)