On paper, many seafarers may look qualified. The common baseline to judge competence are seen through certificates, years of sea service, and training records. But these documents don’t always reflect a seafarer’s current technical capabilities or soft skills.
For shipowners and operators, what truly important is assigning the right seafarers on the right vessel. Beyond CVs, certificates and documented training, this means ensuring:
- Relevant vessel experience.
- Effective teamwork in a multinational crew environment.
- Maritime English and Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
- Cultural adaptability and leadership ability.
These qualities directly impact both safety and performance.
Certificates are not enough
Yes, certificates verify eligibility. But, they don’t always measure applied competence. A seafarer may hold an advanced training certificate for Tankers, for instance. However, a seafarer may remain struggle when operating under a real-world time pressure or emergency, due to language barriers.
Human Factor: Communication and teamwork
Technical knowledge is crucial, but not enough. A recent study by Hafita et al. (2024) from a Journal of English Education shows that while cadets and seafarers often receive language instructions, many still lack the ability to communicate clearly in emergencies or technical context. This is a risk, especially when working in a multinational environment. The study strengthens the argument that a good result of language test is crucial for sea service jobs to build teamwork and have good relations with colleagues.
At Marsen Manning Services, we are strict with seafarer Marlin’s Test results. Not only for officers, but also for supporting roles like ratings. Why? Because language competence cannot be overlooked, as every seafarer on board the vessel contributes to safety and efficiency at sea.
Ship operations rely on more than just paperwork. While it is true that certificates confirm qualifications, it is skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and vessel-specific competence that ensure success at sea.
Contact Marsen Manning Services today to learn how our seafarer placement services supports your vessel operations.
References
- Hafita, Y. A., et al. (2024). A Comprehensive Needs Analysis of Maritime English for Ship Machinery Students. Exposure: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 13(1), 77–91. https://journal.unismuh.ac.id/index.php/exposure/article/view/15389