Information for Ukrainian citizens

• 6 June 2022

Polish Certificates of Competency, Certificates of Proficiency and seaman’s books by Ukrainian seafarers

Due to numerous questions regarding obtaining Polish Certificates of Competency, Certificates of Proficiency and seaman’s books by Ukrainian seafarers, we present the following information:

According to the information from the Government of Ukraine, Ukrainian documents are valid until 31 December, 2023.  The official stance is described in:

• Circular Letter No. 4232-Add.19

Exchange of Ukrainian seafarers’ documents for their Polish equivalents.

It is not possible to exchange Ukrainian CoC, CoP or seaman’s books to Polish documents.

Obtaining a Polish seaman’s book by a citizen of Ukraine.

A Polish seaman’s book can be obtained by a citizen of Ukraine, who resides / lives in Poland legally. Seaman’s books are issued for 5 years. An application for a seaman’s book must be submitted in person at a maritime authority office (such offices are located in Szczecin, Słupsk and Gdynia), or electronically via the ePUAP platform (based on your PESEL number assigned, you can create a trusted profile and submit your application electronically. Details on the trusted profile are available on https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zaloz-profil-zaufany ). The seaman’s book is to be collected either personally, or by another, duly authorized person – a notarial authorization is required. The fee for issuing a book is PLN 200. Waiting time for the seaman’s book is 30 days.

Documents required when applying for a seaman’s book:

1. Application for a seaman’s book, with signed declarations of content “I have a  valid health certificate confirming my ability to work on a ship, issued by an authorized doctor” and “All data included in my application and the  document submitted are true. I am aware of criminal liability for giving false testimony” (can be found below)
2. Passport (for review only),
3. Current passport photo, taken in the last 6 months,
4. Basic safety training certificates (Ukrainian training certificates are accepted):
   1. in the field of personal survival techniques
   2. in the field of fire prevention and firefighting – basic or advance
   3. elementary first aid or medical first aid
   4. in terms of personal safety and social responsibilities
5.  Certificate of Competency (CoC) – only if you have.
6. Evidence of your payment of the PLN 200 fee for issuing a seaman’s book

The fee for the seaman’s book should be sent to the following account of the Maritime Office:

NBP o/GDAŃSK account no. 92101011400065782231000000 (write your name and surname and the words “za wydanie książeczki żeglarskiej”).
IBAN PL 92101011400065782231000000 BIC/SWIFT COD:NBPLPLPWAt the end of this document, you will find links to useful information and standard forms.

Obtaining a Polish seafarer’s health certificate by a Ukrainian citizen.

Each seafarer may receive a Polish health certificate if he or she meets the health requirements. A list of qualified medical practitioners, divided to voivodeships, can be found below.

Revalidation of Ukrainian training certificates.

A Ukrainian, time-limited training certificate cannot be renewed in Poland on the basis of a reduced, updating training. A Polish certificate can be obtained on the basis of full training (most of full training courses last 2-4 days). Some training centers offer training in English, others – in Polish.

At the end of this document, there is a link to a list of training centers (from the vicinity of Gdynia)

Obtaining higher level training certificates by seamen with Ukrainian basic level certificates.

A seafarer, who has a valid Ukrainian basic training certificate (e.g. elementary first aid), may apply for a Polish higher level certificate (e.g. medical first aid). In such cases, basic Ukrainian certificates are accepted and it is possible to enroll in a higher-level training in a training center. At the end of this document, there is a list of training centers (from the vicinity of Gdynia)

Revalidation Ukrainian Certificate of Competency in Poland.

A Ukrainian Certificate of Competency cannot be renewed in Poland.

Applying for Polish CoC and certificates of qualification by Ukrainian seamen

Ukrainian seafarers who have qualification certificates (e.g. O/S) or CoC may upgrade their certificates in Poland. In this case, you need to:

1. have at least the secondary education level – for officers; or basic education – for seafarers (you will need a certificate / diploma and its Polish or English translation),
2. be at least 18 years old,
3. complete a relevant training program in a Polish training center for seafarers (e.g. at the operational or management level – depending on the CoC). Some centers provide training in English, most in Polish.
4. pass an appropriate exam before the Central Maritime Examination Board (exams are held in Polish, you can also take them in English- in Gdynia only),
5. have the required sea service (we accept entries in the Ukrainian seaman’s book and testimonials issued by the master or shipowner, and in case of doubts as to an entry, we may request additional explanations, e.g. additional certificates from the shipowner or crewing agency, a copy of the ship’s registration certificate),
6. have a valid medical certificate for seafarers.

At the end of this document, there is a list of Officer Training Centers. The course at the operational level lasts approx. 6 months, at the management level, approx. 5 months.

Obtaining a Polish master’ or chief engineer CoC.

Ukrainian seafarers, who hold CoC at the management level (chief officer or second engineer), or master or chief engineer, may apply for Polish master’s or chief engineer’s CoC. In this case, you need to:

1. have at least the secondary education level (you will need a certificate / diploma and its translation into Polish or English),
2. complete a management training program in a Polish training center (even if the seafarer completed such training in Ukraine),
3. pass two exams before the Central Maritime Examination Board – at the management level and an exam for masters / chief engineers.
4. have the required sea service as a chief officer or second engineer (we accept entries in the Ukrainian seaman’s book and testimonials issued by the master or shipowner). It is required to sea practice on ships above 3000 GT / 3000 kW in international voyages,
5. have a valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Obtaining a Polish watch officer / watch engineer officer CoC after graduating from a Ukrainian maritime university.

A graduate of a Ukrainian maritime academy in Poland cannot approved his or her training record book and receive a Polish officer CoC on the basis of 12 months of sea service, because Poland does not supervise Ukrainian maritime schools and student on-board training in Ukraine.

For the continuation / commencement of studies at Polish maritime universities, you must contact the university directly.

GMDSS

All matters regarding issuance and/or renewal of GMDSS certificates are handled by the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE). Contact to the UKE office in Gdynia: tel. 058 6247716, e-mail: ske.gdynia@uke.gov.pl

Useful links, addresses and forms:

Contact details to Maritime Office in Gdynia

Maritime Office in Gdynia
Seafarers Cerification Division
Chrzanowskiego 10, 81-338 Gdynia
phone: +48 355 3360, 355 3373
e-mail: wdm.gdynia@umgdy.gov.pl

Office in Gdynia is open from 8.30 to 14.00.
Account number for fees for issuing documents: Maritime Office in Gdynia, Chrzanowskiego 10, 81-338 Gdynia, NBP o/GDAŃSK no. 92101011400065782231000000
IBAN PL 92101011400065782231000000 BIC/SWIFT COD:NBPLPLPW

The website of the Seafarers Cerification Division in Gdynia: https://www.umgdy.gov.pl/informacje/dokumenty marynarskie

Communication from the Government of Ukraine (IMO Circullar Letter)

• Circular Letter No.4519, link
• Circular Letter No.4232-Add.16, link

Forms: link to forms in Polish: https://www.umgdy.gov.pl/?page_id=10362

Maritime training centers providing training for officers (operational and management level):

1. Marine Officers’ Training Centre – Maritime Academy of Szczecin
   Wały Chrobrego 1-2,70-500 Szczecin
   e-mail: sdko@am.szczecin.pl
2. Marine Training Center in Kołobrzeg – Maritime Academy of Szczecin
   Mazowiecka 31-32, 78-100 Kołobrzeg,
   e-mail: mosk@am.szczecin.pl
3. Officer Training Centre of Gdynia Maritime University Ltd
   Morska 83 A,81-222 Gdynia
   e-mail: sdk@umg.edu.pl, sdkmech@umg.edu.pl
   (the center also conducts training in English)
4. The Gdynia Maritime School
   Polska 13A, 81-339 Gdynia
   e-mail: szkola@morska.edu.pl
   (the center also conducts training in English)
5. Training Center – Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia
   Śmidowicza 69, 81-127 Gdynia
   e-mail: osamw@amw.gdynia.pl

Polish universities providing education in accordance with STCW

1. Gdynia Maritime University
   Morska 81-87, 81-225 Gdynia
   website: www.umg.edu.pl/en
2. Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia
   Śmidowicza 69, 81-127 Gdynia
   website: www.amw.gdynia.pl/index.php/en/
3. Maritime University of Szczecin
   Wały Chrobrego 1-2, 70-500 Szczecin
   website: https://www.am.szczecin.pl/en

Exams for seafarers

Exams for seafarers are conducted by an appropriate examination commission (Central Maritime Examination Board).
The offices of the Commission are located in Szczecin and Gdynia.

• Secretariat in Maritime Office in Gdynia,
  Bernarda Chrzanowskiego 10, 81-338 Gdynia
  room no 131, office is open 10.00-13.00 (Monday-Friday)
  tel.: 058 355 33 35,
  e-mail: cmkegdynia@mi.gov.pl
• Secretariat in Maritime Office in Szczecin
  (located in Harbor Master’s Office),
  Jana z Kolna 9, 71-603 Szczecin
  room no 101, office is open 10.00-13.00 (Monday-Friday)
  tel.: 091 440 35 55,
  e-mail: cmkeszczecin@mi.gov.pl

The schedule of exams, useful materials, a bank of questions and other information is available on the website: www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/cmke