By Ted Blenkers
To carry out any maritime professional activity it is essential to obtain the certificate of Basic Training in Maritime Safety, a complete training that is based on the following four basic pillars: survival at sea, fire fighting, safety at work and first aid. Only centers approved by the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine can issue this certificate. From there, and depending on the characteristics of the ship or the functions to be carried out on board, other professional maritime specific certificates will be mandatory. In addition to certificates, in order to work on board, regardless of the occupation, it is essential to have the maritime passport, a kind of official identity document on the high seas, unique and non-transferable. The personal information of the holder is included in the book and all the embarks and landings are registered
