---
title: "Maritime Law"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/licensing-and-regulatory-permits-en/maritime-law-654-en"
field: "Licensing & Regulatory Permits"
description: "Seafarer certification: service rules, the 500-ton and 750-kilowatt thresholds, training institutions and safe crewing. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Maritime Law

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/licensing-and-regulatory-permits-en/maritime-law-654-en

## Scope and Purpose of the Law

The basis of this page is the Georgian Law on the Education, Training and Certification of Seafarers; the general norms of maritime law sit in separate legislation. Under Article 1 of the law, it defines the unified standards and rules of the education, training and certification of seafarers in Georgia, as well as the systems of monitoring maritime educational institutions, the recognition and monitoring of maritime training institutions, and the selection and monitoring of medical institutions. The profession of seafarer is a regulated profession, and maritime higher educational programs are regulated academic ones; the law aims at a system of seafarers' education and certification meeting modern requirements. The law was developed taking into account the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and is based on its fundamental principles.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/licensing-and-regulatory-permits-en/maritime-law-654-en

### What does the seafarers' law regulate?

Unified standards of education, training and certification of seafarers, based on the principles of the 1978 international convention.

### To whom is a certificate of competence issued?

Only to a Georgian citizen, on the basis of maritime education received in Georgia, where age, education, service, health and competence requirements are met.

### Which navigation does not count as service?

For example, on light or sports vessels, within a port's aquatorium, on ships under 500 tons for a watchkeeping certificate; for engineers, on ships under 750 kilowatts.

### When may a ship not go to sea?

Without a safe crewing document or with a crew not manned in accordance with it — the prohibition binds the captain as well.