Seaman and motorman courses
Our training centre offers 2nd level professional education courses for seamen and motormen. The courses are licensed and accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia and certified by Maritime Department of the Ministry of Transport.
To obtain the qualification of a seaman or a motorman you will need to take 3 months of theoretical training on Ganibu dambis street No. 24D, pactical trainin on icebreaker "Varma" or Riga shipyard and at least 2 months of internship on a merchant ship. The duration of internship depends on when you will be able to sign off the ship, as it usually is entailed with considerable expense for shipowners. During the internship you will be able to start earning your first salary.
To obtain the qualification of a seaman, you will learn the following skills:
- Ship steering and execution of steering orders (incl. in English). How to use a magnetic and a gyrocompass, helm orders, switching between automatic pilot and manual steering;
- Visual and auditory observation of situation. Watch keeping duties, including reporting the bearing of sound signals, light or other objects in degrees or points;
- Watch keeping and control thereof. Ship terminology and definitions; internal communications and emergency alarm systems; ability to understand orders and communicate with the officer of the watch in matters relevant to watch keeping duties; procedures for taking up, keeping and giving over the watch; cargo equipment and operations; ship work; labour safety regulations; basic environmental protection regulations;
- Operating emergency equipment and applying emergency procedures. The compliance of lifesaving and fire fighting equipment with the SOLAS convention; knowledge of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite EPIRB and SART equipment; prevention of false distress alerts and actions to be taken in the event of accidental activation.
To obtain the qualification of a motorman, you will learn the following skills:
- Maintenance of the main engine, auxiliary engines and systems. The structure and technical maintenance of the main and auxiliary engines; the structure and maintenance of machinery and systems ensuring engine operation; preparing and operating an engine; engine-room watch; starting a full speed mode; maintenance of propeller bearings; reversing and stopping an engine; preparing and launching an air compressor, filling compressed-air reservoirs;
- Maintenance of auxiliary steam boilers. Preparing a boiler for operation, lighting and increasing the steam pressure; lighting, machinery control; removing lime scale and soot; how to use fuel and water heaters; stopping boiler operations; technical safety regulations;
- Maintenance of auxiliary mechanisms and systems. Technical parameters, structure and maintenance of cooling equipment, water spraying equipment, refrigerator equipment and conditioners, bilge and steering equipment separators; preparing different types of pumps for operation, their maintenance, tank preparation for cargo intake and bunkering.
- Repair work onboard and maintenance of machinery. Technological repair schemes and measurement cards; preparing a work bench, measurement instruments, work tools and cargo lifting equipment for work; disassembling, cleaning and troubleshooting parts of machinery; replacement and restoration of worn-out parts; testing of parts, joints and connections after repair.
Q: What are the entry requirements?
A: The main thing is the wish to associate your life with the sea.
Age – at least 16. Because of the specific character of the job we would not recommend studying after 35.
Education – at least 9 grades.
Languages – conversational Russian and elementary English.
Health – appropriate for work on board in the chosen profession (determined by medical examination). Good eyesight is required.
Q: How much is the tuition fee?
A: The tuition fee is 690 LVL for seaman courses and 756 LVL for motorman courses. The price also includes conventional courses: basic safety and tanker familiarisation course, which would cost 286 LVL if taken individually.
Important! If you are unable to pay your tuition fee at once, it may be paid i parts. More information about this option is available at the training centre.
Q: How are the studies scheduled? How much time is required daily?
A: The duration of studies is 3 months for seamen and 3.5 months for motormen on weekdays from 9.00 to 15.00.
Q: Is it easy to find a job after the training?
A: It has normally been easy to find a job after graduation, as there are always many job openings for seamen and motormen on trade vessels. Normally, students would start their professional life in the company they worked for during their internship. Average salary seamen and motormen earn after graduation is approximately 1500 euros. Your documents are internationally recognised, which means you can apply for a job in any crewing agency worldwide.
Q: Does the training centre offer accommodation during studies?
A: Currently not.
Q: In what language are the studies held?
A: Studies are held in Russian, but main nautical terminology is also taught in English. Teachers are able to give explanations in Latvian. Note that trade fleet is a place where representatives of many different countries and cultures work together; therefore Russian and English are the most common languages onboard.
Q: Does the training centre provide internship?
A: Yes. Our training centre has successful cooperation with several crewing agencies. Therefore all students sooner or later get a chance for onboard internship.
Q: Will I earn money during internship?
A: As a rule – yes, you would. The amount will vary depending on the shipowner.
Q: What kind of ships in what kind of seas (is it only the Baltic Sea?) would these be?
A: Students are sent for internship to large trade ships of different types, which travel all seas and oceans worldwide, including Baltic sea..
Q: What about career growth opportunities?
You can start earning money directly after graduation and continue correspondence studies at Liepāja Maritime College or Latvian Maritime Academy if you wish. After graduation from one of these educational establishments you will be able to apply for higher jobs and reach the highest level – that of a captain or chief engineering officer – in 5-7 years. If you are not willing to continue your studies at a higher educational establishment you will be pleased to know that a seaman can always become a boatswain – the master of the deck, in time. While a motorman can learn the profession of a pump operator, lathe operator or a welder.
If you have other questions send them to or call: 26439883.
