How to become a seafarer in Russia
Facts from official sources only, each with a link to the source. Choose the path that fits you.
Choose your path
What both paths have in common
- To work on a ship you need the certificates of competency or proficiency set by the Ministry of Transport's regulation on certification of crew members; they are issued by harbour masters of seaports after a check of knowledge by a qualification commission.
- Anyone applying to work on a ship must pass a preliminary medical examination that includes drug testing, and crew members repeat this examination every year.
- Every crew member, whatever the position on board, must hold a certificate of basic safety training under STCW VI/1 issued by a training centre.
- The seafarer's identity document (udostoverenie lichnosti moryaka) is issued under a procedure set by the Ministry of Transport.
- Under the Maritime Labour Convention, nobody under 16 may be employed or work on board a ship.
Beware of scams
- Recruitment and placement agencies must not charge seafarers for finding them a job; the seafarer pays only for the medical certificate, the seafarer's book and a passport.
- Certificates are issued only to people trained at licensed education institutions whose quality standards system is verified by a classification society — check that your school is on the Ministry of Transport list of recognised institutions.
- The law provides for central electronic records of certificates and for answering requests from interested persons about a certificate's status.
Krew Guru numbers
89% of open vacancies on Krew Guru accept citizens of Russia.
Seafarer profiles from Russia on Krew Guru: 18,500+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation