My certificate is expiring

An expiring STCW certificate, CoC, CoP, medical, or visa is one of the most preventable causes of an unscheduled sign-off. Most certificates run on five-year cycles under the 2010 Manila Amendments + flag-state regulations; medicals run on two-year cycles. The right move is not 'wait until it expires'. It is 'plan the renewal before the next contract'.

Step-by-step

1. Use the /tools/certificate-expiry-tracker (browser-only, local storage) to log every certificate, CoP, CoC, medical, passport, and visa with its expiry date.
2. Map each expiry against your contract length and trade pattern. Anything expiring within the contract + 30 days needs to be renewed before sign-on, not while at sea.
3. Book refresher courses (PSCRB, AFF, MFA, Tanker, Passenger Ship) with a flag-state-approved provider on /training-centres. Refreshers are typically 1–3 days plus practical assessment.
4. Apply for CoC revalidation via your flag-state administration. Required evidence is typically 12 months of sea-service in the last 5 years, plus completed refreshers — see /stcw/revalidation.
5. If your CoC has lapsed, most flag administrations allow re-issue subject to refresher and 3 months of supervised service. Do not sail under an expired CoC.
6. Re-test your medical with a flag-state-approved doctor — see /documents/seafarer-medical-certificate. The certificate can be renewed up to 3 months before expiry without losing validity.
7. Refresh your yellow-fever ICVP if the route requires it — see /documents/yellow-fever-certificate. The 10-day rule applies to first / changed vaccinations, not refreshers.
8. Where your employer covers refresher costs (most P&I-insured owners do for CoP refreshers), submit receipts to the manning agency before flying.

Evidence to save

• Original CoC + CoP + medical + visa + yellow card.
• Sea-service letters from previous owners (typically signed by Master + dated).
• Refresher-course certificates (originals + photocopies).
• Discharge-book endorsements covering qualifying sea time.
• Receipts for refresher / medical / visa fees (for employer reimbursement).

What NOT to sign

• A SEA that requires you to sail on an expired CoC or CoP — refuse.
• An agency-issued 'pending revalidation' letter as a substitute for a genuine flag-state revalidation.
• Acceptance of a refresher course at a non-approved provider — the certificate will not be recognised.

Legal basis

STCW Regulation I/11 (Revalidation of certificates) + 2010 Manila Amendments. STCW Code Section A-I/11 (proof of continued professional competence). MLC 2006 Regulation 1.3 (Training and qualifications). Flag-state legislation governs the practical revalidation process — see /stcw/country-guides for per-flag detail.

Primary sources

• STCW Regulation I/11 — Revalidation of certificates
• MLC 2006 Regulation 1.3 — Training and qualifications
• STCW revalidation hub
• Certificate expiry tracker (free tool)

Organisations that can help

Disclaimer. General information only — final requirements rest with the flag-state administration and the employer. Always verify the refresher provider's approval status before booking.