Legal & Documentation
Every officer serving under a flag other than the one that issued their certificate of competency needs that flag's STCW endorsement, and port State control inspectors check for it. We prepare and file endorsement and seaman's book applications for masters, officers and ratings, follow them up with the flag administration and keep track of expiry dates so a crew change is not held up by paperwork.
What we handle
- STCW flag state endorsements for masters, chief officers, chief engineers and all officers
- Flag documents required for ratings
- Seaman's books from several flag administrations
- Pre-check of crew documents against the flag's requirements before filing
- Whole-crew applications prepared together when a ship changes flag
- Renewals and expiry tracking for endorsements and seaman's books
- Advice on STCW certification and endorsement requirements
- Preparing the paperwork behind our other services and coordinating it with the parties involved
How it works
Send the documents
You send scans of the seafarer's national certificate of competency, passport, medical certificate and STCW training certificates, together with the ship's name, flag and the seafarer's rank.
Pre-check
We check the documents against that flag's requirements. Anything expired, missing or not recognised by the flag is raised with you before the application goes in.
Filing
We file the application with the flag administration and handle any queries or requests for further documents.
Certificate of Receipt of Application
Many administrations issue a Certificate of Receipt of Application (CRA). Under STCW Regulation I/10 this allows the seafarer to serve for a limited period while the endorsement itself is being issued.
Endorsement issued and tracked
Once issued, the endorsement is sent to the ship or to your office. We record its expiry date and remind you when renewal is due.
Documents required
- National Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency
- Valid passport
- Seafarer medical certificate
- STCW training certificates (basic safety training and others as required)
- Passport-size photograph
- Ship details: name, IMO number, flag and the seafarer's rank
- Any additional items the flag asks for, such as its application form or sea service records
Why Liva Marine
Same team as your flag work
When a ship changes flag, the registration and the crew documents are handled by one team on one timeline, with no hand-off between separate agents.
Working with flag administrations since 2014
From Istanbul we have served more than 250 ships and over 50 clients since 2014, working with flag administrations' document requirements day to day.
Checked before filing
Documents are checked against the flag's requirements before filing, so a missing certificate surfaces before the seafarer joins, not at the gangway.
Frequently asked questions
What is an STCW flag state endorsement and who needs one?
It is the flag State's recognition of a certificate of competency issued by another country, required under STCW Regulation I/10. Masters and officers whose certificates were issued by a country other than the ship's flag need one before they can serve in that capacity. Port State control inspectors check for it.
Which documents are needed for an endorsement application?
Usually the national certificate of competency, passport, seafarer medical certificate and STCW training certificates. Some flags also ask for their own application form, a photograph or sea service records. Send us what you have and we will tell you what that flag still needs.
Can a seafarer join the ship before the endorsement is issued?
STCW Regulation I/10 allows a seafarer to serve for a limited period if there is documentary proof that an endorsement application has been made. Many flags issue a Certificate of Receipt of Application (CRA) for this. Conditions vary between flags, so we confirm them for each case.
How do I get a seaman's book from a flag administration?
A seaman's book is issued by the flag administration on application with the seafarer's identity, competency and medical documents. We collect the documents, prepare them to the flag's requirements and file the application, on its own or together with the endorsement.
Can you handle the whole crew when a ship changes flag?
Yes. During a change of flag we prepare the applications for all officers and ratings as one file and follow them up together, so the crew documents keep pace with the new registration.
What happens when an endorsement expires?
An expired endorsement means the seafarer cannot serve in that capacity under the flag, and it can be recorded as a deficiency during port State control. An endorsement generally cannot outlast the certificate it endorses. We record expiry dates and remind you ahead of renewal.
Write to us
Send us the seafarer's rank, the ship's name and flag, and copies of the certificates you have; we will tell you what that flag still needs.
- Phone
- +90 216 451 39 39
- info@livamarine.com