Becoming a seafarer in Lithuania as a career change
Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.
Age limits
- Under STCW an able seafarer must be at least 18 and first qualify as a watch rating.
- A deck watch rating must be at least 16.
Entry through your shore profession
| Your profession on shore | Role at sea | Course | Where and on what terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Ship electrician / electro-technical officer | Accredited ship electrician course (STCW A-III/6) at the Klaipėda Paulius Lindenau training centre | The Klaipėda Paulius Lindenau training centre has an accredited ship electrician course meeting STCW A-III/6. |
| Cook | Ship's cook | Accredited ship's cook programme under the Maritime Labour Convention | The same centre runs an accredited ship's cook programme meeting MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2. |
| Experienced deck crew without a degree | Deck officer of the watch | Long sea service route instead of a full training programme | Instead of a training programme, a candidate may present 36 months of deck service on ships of 500 GT or more. |
Minimum set of documents
- Minimum set for a deck rating: the rating training programme, sea service, medical certificate, basic safety certificate and exam.
- Basic safety training (personal survival, fire fighting, first aid, personal safety) is offered by accredited institutions.
Costs and timing: official fees only
- Every document issued to seafarers carries a state fee that must be paid.
- Endorsements and special certificates are issued for a limited period and must be renewed.
How to avoid scams
- Only entities that have acquired the right to train seafarers under the Law on Safe Shipping may train seafarers in Lithuania.
- The LTSA publishes the list of accredited training institutions and marks those whose accreditation was revoked.
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 Lithuania.
Seafarer profiles from Lithuania on Krew Guru: 1,100+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration (Lietuvos transporto saugos administracija, LTSA)