How to Become a Ship Captain in Sri Lanka 2026

To become a ship captain in Sri Lanka, train as a deck (navigation) officer cadet, earn your Officer of the Watch certificate, then build sea time: at least 12 months on watch to qualify as Chief Mate, and 36 months (or 24 with 12 as Chief Mate) to qualify as Master. Masters on international ships earn roughly USD 7,500 to 14,000 or more a month.

Certificates are issued by Sri Lanka's Merchant Shipping Secretariat under the IMO STCW Convention, so Sri Lankan officers can serve on foreign-flagged ships worldwide. For engine-room careers see the marine engineer salary guide.

Quick Overview

Entry: A/L incl. Physics, O/L English credit

Cadet course: 27 months (CINEC), 12 at sea

Regulator: Merchant Shipping Secretariat

Chief Mate: 12+ months as OOW

Master: 36 months as OOW (24 with 12 as Chief Mate)

Master pay: USD 7,500 - 14,000+/month

Steps from deck cadet to Master

1
Meet the school and age requirements
For CINEC Campus's Navigation Officer Cadet Training Course, initial entry needs two passes at G.C.E. A/L in Science or Mathematics including a pass in Physics, six O/L passes with a credit in English, and an age of 18 to 21 at the closing date. Candidates sit an aptitude test and interview, and must pass a seafarer medical including an eyesight test.
- A/L: two passes in Science or Maths stream, including Physics
- O/L: six passes with a credit in English
- Age 18 to 21 for CINEC initial entry
- Seafarer medical and eyesight standards
2
Complete deck cadet training
CINEC's course runs for 27 months in five phases: three campus phases (7, 6 and 6 months) separated by two six-month periods at sea as a deck cadet. Cadets keep a training record book and complete at least six months of supervised bridge watchkeeping.
- Phase 1: 7 months on campus
- Phases 2 and 4: 6 months each at sea as a deck cadet
- Phases 3 and 5: 6 months each on campus
- Mid-career and advanced entry possible for those who already have sea service
3
Earn your Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate
At the end of the cadet programme you sit the Certificate of Competency examinations. CINEC graduates receive a Second Officer's Certificate of Competency, which certifies them as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) under STCW Regulation II/1, issued by the Merchant Shipping Secretariat (Directorate of Merchant Shipping), plus a Diploma in Applied Science.
- CoC issued by Sri Lanka's Merchant Shipping Secretariat
- Meets IMO STCW requirements, so it is recognised internationally
- Join a shipping company or crewing agency as Third or Second Officer
4
Sail as an officer and build sea time
Under STCW Regulation II/2, you need at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more before you can qualify as Chief Mate on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Third Officer, then Second Officer (navigation officer)
- Contracts usually last several months at a time
- Keep every discharge record and sea service testimonial
5
Qualify as Chief Mate
After the required sea time you take further training and the Chief Mate (Chief Officer) Certificate of Competency examinations. The Chief Mate runs cargo operations, stability and the deck crew, and is second in command.
- At least 12 months as OOW on ships of 500 GT or more
- Chief Mate CoC examinations and approved courses
- Experience in cargo planning and ship stability
6
Become Master (ship captain)
For a Master's certificate on ships of 3,000 GT or more, STCW Regulation II/2 requires at least 36 months of approved seagoing service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch, reduced to 24 months if at least 12 months of it was served as Chief Mate. Then you sit the Master's Certificate of Competency examinations. Companies usually promote experienced Chief Mates to command.
- 36 months as OOW, or 24 months with 12 as Chief Mate
- Master CoC examinations
- Promotion to command by your shipping company

Certificates and sea time at each rank

Rank	Certificate	Sea time needed
Deck cadet	None yet (training record book)	12 months within CINEC course
Third / Second Officer	OOW, STCW II/1	Completed cadet training
Chief Mate	Chief Mate, STCW II/2	12 months as OOW (500 GT+)
Master	Master, STCW II/2	36 months as OOW, or 24 with 12 as Chief Mate

Ship captain and deck officer salaries

Monthly wages on international ships from a 2026 merchant navy salary survey, in US dollars. Rupee figures are approximate at about LKR 300 per US dollar. Seafarers are paid only while on contract.

Rank	USD / month	Approx. LKR / month
Third Officer	2,500 - 4,000	750,000 - 1,200,000
Second Officer	3,500 - 5,500	1,050,000 - 1,650,000
Chief Officer	5,000 - 8,000	1,500,000 - 2,400,000
Master	7,500 - 14,000+	2,250,000 - 4,200,000+

Deck cadets are usually paid a modest training allowance while at sea. Pay is generally highest on tankers, gas carriers and offshore vessels, and depends on the flag state, company and nationality agreements. For comparison see CINEC staff salaries, marine industry salaries, Sri Lanka Navy pay and boat captain salaries for local coastal and leisure craft.

Is a merchant navy career right for you?

Advantages

Dollar salaries far above most local jobs
Internationally recognised STCW certificates
Clear promotion ladder tied to sea time
Long leave periods between contracts

Challenges

Months away from family on each contract
Strict medical and eyesight standards
Cadet berths for sea training can be hard to find
Heavy responsibility for crew, cargo and safety

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a ship captain in Sri Lanka?

Join a deck (navigation) officer cadet programme such as CINEC's 27-month course, earn your Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate, sail as Third and Second Officer, qualify as Chief Mate after at least 12 months of watchkeeping, and then qualify as Master after 36 months as a watchkeeping officer (or 24 months with 12 as Chief Mate).

How many years does it take to become a ship captain?

About 27 months for cadet training, followed by 24 to 36 months of officer sea service before you can sit for Master, so the minimum is roughly four and a half to five years. Most officers take longer, because of leave between contracts, exam preparation and waiting for promotion.

What are the requirements for a deck cadet in Sri Lanka?

For CINEC's Navigation Officer Cadet Training Course: two A/L passes in Science or Maths including Physics, six O/L passes with a credit in English, age 18 to 21, an aptitude test, interview, and a seafarer medical with eyesight test.

What is the salary of a ship captain from Sri Lanka?

A 2026 merchant navy salary survey puts Masters at about USD 7,500 to 14,000 or more a month on international ships, Chief Officers at USD 5,000 to 8,000, Second Officers at USD 3,500 to 5,500 and Third Officers at USD 2,500 to 4,000. Pay depends on ship type, company and contract.

Who issues seafarer certificates in Sri Lanka?

The Merchant Shipping Secretariat (Directorate of Merchant Shipping) issues Certificates of Competency in line with the IMO STCW Convention.

Where can I study to become a deck officer in Sri Lanka?

CINEC Campus runs a Navigation Officer Cadet Training Course leading to a Second Officer Certificate of Competency. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority's Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy also offers maritime training; check its current course list for seafarer programmes.

Is a ship captain the same as a boat captain?

No. A ship's Master commands large merchant vessels on international voyages under an STCW certificate. Boat captains or skippers operate fishing, tourist or coastal craft and earn far less.

Do seafarers earn all year?

Usually not. Seafarers are paid while on contract at sea, then have unpaid or partly paid leave at home between contracts. Annual income depends on how many months you sail.

Sources

Navigation Officer Cadet Training Course - CINEC Campus
Merchant Shipping Secretariat - Directorate of Merchant Shipping, Sri Lanka
STCW Regulation II/2: Master and Chief Mate - EduMaritime
Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy - Sri Lanka Ports Authority
Merchant navy salary guide 2026 by rank - Elite Mariners