Maritime CV Writing Guide

A maritime CV is read differently from a corporate one. Recruiters scanning applications for crew positions spend approximately 8–15 seconds on a first pass. In that time they need to answer three questions: Does this person hold the right certificates? Do they have experience on the right vessel types? Is this CV worth reading further? If your CV doesn't answer all three questions in the first third of the page, it fails — regardless of your actual experience.

The Structure That Works

Header

Name (large, clear), rank/title, nationality, phone, email, WhatsApp number (recruiters and captains use WhatsApp). For superyacht: add a professional headshot in the top right corner. For merchant navy: headshots are optional but not expected.

Key Certifications Block — Put This Second

This is not standard CV advice — but in maritime, your certificates matter more than your personal statement. Create a clean table or block immediately below the header:

• CoC / Ticket level + issuing authority + expiry
• STCW BST revalidation date
• GMDSS (if applicable)
• DP certification level (if applicable)
• BOSIET / offshore medicals (if applicable)
• ENG1 expiry

A recruiter should be able to confirm your certification status in five seconds. If they have to search for it, they will move on to the next CV.

Sea Service — Most Recent First

List each position with: vessel name | vessel type and GT | company | rank | dates (month/year) | trade/area of operation.

Do not write paragraphs about duties — recruiters in maritime already know what a Chief Officer does. Instead, note anything specific that sets this berth apart: "6-month contract DP2 DSV, North Sea subsea pipe survey operations" is more useful than "Responsible for navigational watch and cargo operations."

Education and Training

College attended, qualification gained, year. STCW courses with provider and date (particularly useful for verification). Any additional qualifications relevant to the role.

Personal Statement — Keep It Short

3–4 sentences maximum. State your rank, sector preference, what you bring, and what you're looking for. No clichés ("dedicated team player"), no vague aspirations. Be specific: "Chief Officer with 8 years deep-sea bulk carrier experience seeking relief command opportunities on Handymax or Panamax vessels in Atlantic or Pacific trades."

Common Mistakes

• Burying certificates in the work history. Certificates belong in a dedicated block at the top.
• Vague vessel descriptions. "Various vessels" tells a recruiter nothing. Name every ship and state the GT and type.
• Listing expired certificates. Only current certificates belong on your CV. An expired BOSIET shows disorganisation, not experience.
• Two-page CVs for entry-level candidates. One page until you have 10+ years of sea service.
• Generic personal statements. "A hardworking and motivated individual" — every CV says this. Say something specific.
• Wrong contact details or dead phone numbers. Check everything. Recruiters who can't reach you move on immediately.

Sector-Specific Tips

Superyacht

Professional headshot is expected. Include vessel specifications (LOA, builder, owner country, charter/private). Note languages, watersports, and any hospitality experience. Presentation matters more in yachting than in any other sector.

Offshore

Highlight DP class of vessels served on. List BOSIET issue and expiry date, offshore medical status, and any specialist competencies (crane operator, ROV pilot, saturation diver support).

Merchant Navy

Vessel type, flag, and GT are key. Chief Engineers: list propulsion type (MAN B&W, Wärtsilä, etc.) and main engine power. Deck officers: trading area and cargo types carried are important signals.