Seaman Book:A Seaman Book is a special document issued to people working in the Merchant Navy and Cruise Lines.
Most of us need a passport and visa to travel abroad, but those who have a Seaman Book often don’t.
This document works like a passport at airports and seaports, allowing international travel without a visa in many cases. It is mainly given to employees in the shipping industry.
Besides merchant navy and cruise staff, fishermen working on fishing vessels can also get a Seaman Book.
Just like a passport is needed for international travel, the Seaman Book is used by those working on ships.
What Information Does a Seaman Book Have?
The Seaman Book is also known as the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). It is an official identity document for maritime professionals. Like a passport, it contains:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Educational qualifications
Designation or job post
Name of the ship
Duration of the voyage
It acts as an ID card for those working on ships.
How Is a Seaman Book Used at Airports?
According to senior airport security officials, people traveling for tourism, business, or medical reasons must carry a valid passport and visa.
But those working in the merchant navy, cruise lines, or ships are allowed to travel with just a Seaman Book.
At immigration, they must show their Seaman Book along with the CDC (Seafarer Identity Document). These documents are accepted in place of a passport for work-related travel.
Do Seaman Book Holders Need a Visa?
Professionals in the merchant navy or cruise lines often pass through many countries during their work. In such cases:
The Seaman Book acts like a transit visa.
When reporting for duty at a port, the Seaman Book and CDC are used as a work visa.
However, if the person is traveling for personal reasons and not for duty, a passport and visa are still required.
