Bahamas

1. Do You Need Certification in The Bahamas?

Below is the full certification pathway — from eligibility check to receiving your BMA endorsement. By the end of §1–§3, you will know exactly which certificate you need, where to train, and what it costs. §4 walks you through the application. §5 covers immigration, medical, and other BMA-specific requirements.

The Bahamas is one of the world's largest ship registries, administered by the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). With over 1,600 vessels on its register — including cruise ships, bulk carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, and offshore units — the Bahamian flag is a cornerstone of international shipping. Major cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line operate significant portions of their fleets under the Bahamian flag.

The Bahamas is a full party to the STCW Convention and appears on the IMO White List of administrations that have given full effect to the Convention. This means the BMA issues Certificates of Competency and endorsements strictly aligned with international standards. All seafarers working on Bahamas-flagged vessels must hold either a BMA-issued Certificate of Competency or a Bahamas Flag State Endorsement of their foreign certificate.

To obtain recognition, the seafarer's certificate of origin must come from a country with which the Bahamas has an STCW Regulation I/10 agreement. The BMA maintains bilateral recognition agreements with most major seafaring nations. If your country is on the BMA's recognised list (outlined in Marine Notice MN013), your existing COC can be endorsed directly. Seafarers from non-recognised countries may need to complete gap training or sit a Bahamas assessment.

Key point: The BMA endorses STCW Regulation VI Certificates of Proficiency (GMDSS, tanker training, etc.) from any IMO White List state — no bilateral agreement is required for these certificates.

2. What certification do you need by position?

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) administers seafarer certification through its Marine Notices, primarily MN014 (CoC assessment and issue), MN018 (Safe Manning), MN020 (Training and certification requirements), and the Minimum Safe Manning Document. STCW divides seafarer certification into four departments plus ratings and MLC catering. Each position has a corresponding STCW regulation and a BMA Marine Notice reference. Where the BMA recognises a foreign CoC under STCW Regulation I/10, the seafarer applies for a Bahamas Flag State Endorsement via BORIS instead of a Bahamas-issued CoC.

Deck department

Bahamas-specific addition: All deck officers must hold valid GMDSS certifications appropriate to their operational area (typically GOC for unlimited vessels, ROC for <500 GT). Bahamas accepts GMDSS certificates from any IMO White List state without bilateral agreement. The BMA's MN014 details the assessment and certification process for deck officers.

Engine department

Electro-technical department

Radio department

Bahamas note: The BMA accepts GMDSS certificates from any IMO White List state without requiring bilateral agreement. This makes the Bahamas one of the most accessible flag states for GMDSS recognition.

Tanker and specialised vessels

Catering (MLC, not STCW)

Per MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 and Code B3.2, ship's cooks and catering staff fall outside STCW but require:

• Recognised food safety and hygiene certificate (MLC B3.2.4)
• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST)
• Medical First Aid (per MLC B3.2.5)

Fishing vessel positions (out of scope)

Per MN017 and the Fishing Industry (Organisation and Regulation) Act — separate application process for fishing vessels. Fishing vessel certifications are not covered in this guide.

Note: All seafarers on Bahamas-flagged vessels — regardless of rank — must hold valid STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) certificates. Officers require additional certificates specific to their department and rank. The BMA's Marine Notice MN014 details the assessment and certification process for deck and engineering officers.

3. Where to Get the Training?

The BMA approves training providers that deliver STCW-mandated courses. To become BMA-approved, a provider must be either based and registered in The Bahamas, or an owner/manager operating Bahamian-flagged ships. The BMA maintains a published list of approved training providers and the specific courses each is authorised to deliver.

For seafarers training internationally, two leading academies offer BMA-recognised pathways:

Virtual Maritime Academy (VMA)

VMA is DNV Certified (certification ID: 10781144) and Transport Canada-recognised (TP 10655E). As a DNV-certified institution, VMA's courses are recognised by all IMO White List administrations — including the BMA. VMA offers the following courses relevant to Bahamas-flagged employment:

• PFSO — Port/Marine Facility Security Officer (STCW VI/5, ISPS Code) — BMA-recognised via DNV certification
• CSO — Company Security Officer (ISPS Code) — BMA-recognised via DNV certification
• PSA — Security Awareness Training (STCW A-VI/6-1) — BMA-recognised via DNV certification
• DSD — Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2) — BMA-recognised via DNV certification
• DPA — Designated Person Ashore (ISM Code) — BMA-recognised via DNV certification

Marine Pro Academy (MPA)

MPA's courses are approved by Liberia and explicitly accepted by the BMA for STCW compliance. MPA offers comprehensive STCW Basic Safety Training bundles and individual modules that meet Bahamas-flag requirements:

• STCW Basic Safety Training Bundle (STCW A-VI/1) — BMA-approved via Liberia; covers FPFF, PST, EFA, PSSR
• PSA — Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) — BMA-accepted
• SSO — Ship Security Officer (STCW VI/5, ISPS Code) — BMA-accepted
• DSD — Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2) — BMA-accepted
• GMDSS — Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (STCW IV/2) — BMA-accepted
• Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW VI/3) — BMA-accepted

Recommendation: For STCW Basic Safety Training, MPA's BST Bundle is the most cost-effective pathway to Bahamas-flag employment. For security-related courses (PFSO, CSO, PSA), VMA's DNV-certified courses provide the strongest recognition.

4. How to Apply?

The application process differs depending on whether you are a Bahamas national seeking a new Certificate of Competency, or a foreign seafarer seeking endorsement of an existing certificate.

For Foreign Seafarers — Flag State Endorsement

All applications for Bahamas Flag State Endorsements must be made electronically through BORIS (Bahamas On-line Registration Information System). BORIS is accessible to registered owners, ISM managers, and authorised manning agents of Bahamas-registered vessels.

Required documents for endorsement:

1. Existing Certificate of Competency (from a recognised flag state)
2. Proof of sea service (verified by shipowner/manager)
3. Approved STCW training records
4. Valid medical certificate (MLC 2006 compliant)
5. Valid passport
6. Seaman's Record Book (if applicable)

Process:

1. The applicant's employer (owner or ISM manager) registers on BORIS
2. Application is submitted electronically via BORIS with supporting documents
3. The BMA Seafarers and Manning Department reviews the application
4. Upon approval, the Bahamas Flag State Endorsement is issued

Processing times for endorsements typically range from 2 to 4 weeks — one of the fastest among major flag states. Contact the BMA Seafarers and Manning Department for BORIS access:

• Phone: +44 20 7562 1300 (London office)
• Email: seafarers@bahamasmaritime.com

For Bahamas Nationals — Certificate of Competency

For broader context, compare Bahamas certification requirements with other flag states, and review your flag state options before applying.

Bahamas nationals seeking a new Certificate of Competency must sit a BMA assessment — a two-stage process comprising a written assessment and an oral assessment. Assessment sessions are held twice per year, typically in June and November.

Eligibility requirements:

1. Proof of age, identity, and Bahamian nationality
2. Medical fitness certificate
3. Appropriate sea service for the certificate level sought
4. Approved STCW training for the relevant certificate

Once eligibility is confirmed, the applicant receives a Notice of Eligibility (NOE). The candidate must bring the NOE to both the written and oral assessments. Upon passing, the signed NOE is presented to the BMA office for issuance of the Certificate of Competency.

For full details, see Marine Notice MN014. Assessment dates are published in Information Notice IN001.

Certificate Revalidation

Bahamas Certificates of Competency and Certificates of Proficiency must be revalidated in accordance with the requirements in Marine Notice MN020. Revalidation applications from Bahamian nationals should be submitted to the Nassau office.

5. Other Requirements

MLC 2006 Compliance

The Bahamas is a party to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006), which sets minimum standards for seafarer employment, conditions of work, accommodation, health and safety, and social security. All Bahamas-flagged vessels must comply with MLC requirements, and the BMA issues Seaman's Record Books that provide a record of service in compliance with MLC provisions.

Key MLC requirements for seafarers include:

• Minimum age: 16 years for seafarers (18 for hazardous work)
• Hours of rest: Minimum 10 hours in any 24-hour period; 77 hours in any 7-day period (per Marine Notice MN035)
• Repatriation: Shipowners must provide repatriation at no cost to the seafarer
• Wages: Seafarers must be paid no less than the agreed wage

Medical Certificate

All seafarers working on Bahamas-flagged vessels must hold a valid medical certificate compliant with ILO MLC 2006 requirements. The medical examination covers fitness for duties at sea, including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and psychological suitability.

The BMA accepts medical certificates from approved medical examiners worldwide, making it convenient for international seafarers. The certificate validity depends on the seafarer's age and certificate level — typically 1 to 2 years. Seafarers under 18 years of age require annual medical examination.

Tip: VMA and MPA both provide guidance on medical examination preparation as part of their certification programmes.

Seaman's Record Book

The BMA issues Bahamas Seaman's Record Books in compliance with MLC 2006. This document provides a verified record of sea service and is required for all seafarers employed on Bahamas-flagged vessels. The Record Book is issued by the BMA Seafarers and Manning Department and must be applied for through BORIS.

Immigration and Entry Requirements

Seafarers joining Bahamas-flagged vessels typically do not require a Bahamian work visa, as employment is governed by flag state law and international maritime conventions. The seafarer is employed by an international shipping company, not a Bahamian entity.

For transit through Nassau or other Bahamas ports during crew change:

• A valid passport (minimum 6 months validity recommended)
• A seafarer's book or Seaman's Record Book
• A joining letter from the shipping company

Most nationalities can enter The Bahamas visa-free for short stays. The Bahamas does not impose specific immigration restrictions on seafarers joining or departing vessels at international ports. Employment on Bahamas-flagged vessels is governed by MLC 2006, ensuring seafarer protection regardless of nationality.

Safe Manning Requirements

Under SOLAS, all Bahamas-flagged vessels of 500 GT or more must hold a Minimum Safe Manning Document. The BMA strongly recommends that vessels under 500 GT also apply. The competency requirements for officers and crew in the Safe Manning Document are stipulated with reference to STCW. Applications are submitted to the BMA Seafarers and Manning Department — see Marine Notice MN018.