Becoming a seafarer in Latvia as a career change
Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.
Age limits
- The rules set minimum ages only: 16 for ratings.
- A master must be at least 20.
Entry through your shore profession
| Your profession on shore | Role at sea | Course | Where and on what terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult without maritime education | Watch rating (deck) | On-board practical training with a positive evaluation by the master | Instead of a school programme, a watch rating can qualify after at least 12 months of practical training on board with a positive evaluation by the master. |
| Cook (accredited cook programme) | Ship's cook | Ship's cook practice programme recorded in the training record book | A trained cook can become a ship's cook after completing the ship's cook practice programme recorded in the training record book. Sea service as a steward or trainee is also required. |
| Experienced deck rating | Officer of the watch | Sea service as a rating instead of a cadet placement, then a college programme and assessment | Service of 3 years as a rating, including 6 months of watchkeeping on ships of 500 GT or more, is an alternative route to officer of the watch. |
Minimum set of documents
- A seaman's book requires the basic safety course certificate.
- A first seaman's book is valid for 5 years.
Costs and timing: official fees only
- A seaman's book costs EUR 100 for a seafarer.
- For a maritime student the seaman's book costs EUR 10.
- The seaman's book is normally issued within 7 working days.
How to avoid scams
- The Latvian Maritime Administration warns of fraudsters posing as licensed crewing agencies who later ask for money, e.g. for medical checks.
- Contact the company yourself through its official website, not through contacts sent by the person offering the job.
- The administration publishes the list of Latvian companies licensed to provide crewing services.
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 Latvia.
Seafarer profiles from Latvia on Krew Guru: 1,000+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Latvian Maritime Administration, Seafarers' Registry (Latvijas Jūras administrācija)