The seafarer's reference atlas
A free, login-optional reference for the world's seafarers — ports, ships, companies, flag states, certifications, glossary, salaries, helplines, forum. No login to browse. No tracking. Every port, ship, company, flag state, term and helpline has a permanent URL.
Start here
- EmergencyEmergency help
Unpaid wages, abandonment, medical concerns, piracy, repatriation problems, or urgent welfare issues.
Find urgent help → - Joining a shipBefore you board
Check your contract, vessel, company, manning agency, documents, wage terms, and emergency contacts before travelling.
Use the joining checklist → - CareerCertificates & career
Understand STCW, tanker, offshore, yacht, ECDIS, security, medical, deck, engine, and rank progression requirements.
Plan your certificate pathway → - Money + contractSalary & contract check
Compare rank and vessel-type salary expectations, spot contract red flags, and prepare questions before signing.
Check salary and contract risks →
I need help with…
- Unpaid wagesEvidence + Letter of Demand + ITF + arrest. Step-by-step.
- AbandonmentMLC A2.5.2 financial security + IMO/ILO Joint Database route.
- Repatriation refusedInsurer claim, flag-state complaint, PSC detention route.
- Medical care onboardMFAG, TMAS, medevac, P&I cover, MLC Reg 4.1.
- Bullying / harassmentEvidence, DPA route, MLC A5.1.5 complaint, ITF support.
- Contract problemSEA breach, side-letters, manning-agency licensing, labour court.
- Fake / fee-charging agencyILO C181 + MLC A1.4(5)(b) — fees you should never pay.
- Shore leave deniedFAL Convention, SID, transit visas, what to do at the gate.
- Piracy / securityIMB Reporting Centre, UKMTO, MDAT-GoG, BMP5.
- Family emergencyMLC A2.5.1 owner-paid sign-off, evidence, P&I cover.
I am a…
- New seafarerWhere to start — training, medical, first CDC.
- CadetPathway from cadet to OOW; sea-time, courses, exams.
- Deck ratingOS / AB pathway + cross-up to officer.
- Engine ratingWiper / Oiler pathway + cross-up to engineer.
- Deck officerOOW → C/O → Master.
- Engineer4/E → 3/E → 2/E → C/E.
- ETO / electricalSTCW III/6 pathway + HV.
- Cruise crewHotel + crowd + crisis management.
- OffshoreBOSIET, DP, OPITO medical.
- Yacht crewMCA / RMI / Cayman yachting endorsements.
- Family memberMoney + emergency + mental health support.
- Abandoned seafarerMLC A2.5.2, ISWAN, ITF, IMO/ILO Joint Database.
- Manning agencyLicensed-agency registry + due-diligence pages.
- Maritime studentAcademy, cadet, first contract.
- No experienceWhere to start with no documents.
I want to…
Top tools
Directory sections
- PortsEvery seaport, worldwide.
- Seafarer CentersMissions, clubs, welfare.
- ShipsVessels by IMO — spec, flag, owner.
- CompaniesOperators and manning agencies.
- Flag StatesRegistries, MoU ratings, MLC status.
- CertificationsSTCW and country guides.
- GlossaryMaritime terms and acronyms.
- SalariesPublished wage ranges by rank and vessel.
- Practical ReferenceFlags, lights, knots, signals.
- NewsHeadlines from across the maritime press.
- ForumTalk shop with other seafarers.
- Help & HelplinesCrisis, wages, abandonment, legal.
What's indexed
Latest news
- Seatrade Maritime UAE SummitSeatrade Maritime · 11/12/2026
- Fugro survey supports Petronas fields off MalaysiaSplash247 · 9/28/2026
- Uni-Tankers lines up eight stainless newbuildsSplash247 · 9/28/2026
- Siemens Gamesa taps Purus for offshore wind vessel supportSplash247 · 9/28/2026
- Battery-First eCSOVs Deliver Immediate OPEX Savings Ahead Of Offshore Grid InfrastructureMarine Insight · 9/28/2026
Recent forum activity
- Partner support networks — local + onlinefamily-life · 3 posts · last 4/24/2026
- Raising kids with a partner at seafamily-life · 3 posts · last 4/24/2026
- Keeping relationships healthy across 4 months apartfamily-life · 3 posts · last 4/24/2026
- Money management — what works for a sea-earning householdfamily-life · 3 posts · last 4/24/2026
- Making it through the first family separationfamily-life · 3 posts · last 4/24/2026
If you are in crisis right now, call ISWAN SeafarerHelp on +44 800 012 1004 (free) or WhatsApp +44 7909 470732. More contacts on the help page.