Australian Seafarer's Service Book
For seafarers
The Australian Seafarer’s Service Book (ASSB) has been developed for the purpose of enabling individual seafarers to keep a personal record of their sea service and will be issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The ASSB will be issued to seafarers who possess a current certificate of marine qualification issued by AMSA. Any seafarers making false entries or altering any of the information contained in an ASSB may have those qualifications suspended or cancelled.
The holder of an ASSB should arrange for update of the ASSB prior to discharge from each ship on which they serve. They should check the accuracy of the record of service before leaving the ship and operators are requested to assist in this regard.
About the book
The ASSB is a record of service only and is not to be regarded as a document of identity for the purpose of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. C185. Nor does an ASSB replace the Articles of Agreement and List of Crew (AMSA290) required by the Navigation Act 1912.
In addition, no assumptions as to the character, conduct or suitability of the holder can be made or implied by the possession of an ASSB.
AMSA does not accept responsibility for records entered into an ASSB nor for use of the information it contains. If verification of records is required, prospective employers and other interested parties should contact the owner/operator of the ship(s) concerned.
Original letters from shipping companies, written on company letterhead and verifying the qualifying sea service will still be required for AMSA qualifications purposes.
Issue of an Australian Seafarer's Service Book
Seafarers who are eligible for issue of an ASSB should complete the application form (AMSA 66) available on AMSA’s website or from any AMSA office. Applications should be sent, together with supporting documentation and a fee, to:
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Ship Operations & Qualifications
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601