MaritimeFAQ

HeyMariner is designed for anyone working in or learning about the maritime industry. This includes ship officers (Deck and Engine), ratings, maritime students, port agents, ship managers, marine surveyors, maritime lawyers, and shipping company staff. The platform is free to access and covers content relevant to every STCW rank from Ordinary Seaman to Master Mariner.

HeyMariner covers all major IMO conventions in detail: SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (Marine Pollution), STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention), COLREGS (Collision Regulations), and the ISM Code. Each convention is explained in plain language alongside its official text, with guidance on compliance for ship operators and crew.

NAVAREA warnings are official navigational warnings issued under the IMO GMDSS system, divided into 16 worldwide sea areas. They alert mariners to temporary hazards including wrecks, obstructions, buoy failures, military exercises, and pipeline works. On HeyMariner, you can browse current NAVAREA warnings by sea area at /navarea. Warnings are updated automatically and can be filtered by priority and location.

HeyMariner provides detailed guides for every STCW 2010 Manila Amendment certificate — from Basic Safety Training (BST) to Officer in Charge of a Watch certifications. The platform explains minimum sea service requirements, approved training course content, medical fitness standards, and revalidation deadlines. The Learning Hub at /learning includes structured STCW study paths aligned with IMO model courses.

SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) is the most important international treaty governing maritime safety, adopted by the IMO. It sets minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships. SOLAS requirements cover firefighting systems, lifesaving appliances, navigation systems, radio communications (GMDSS), carriage of dangerous goods, and the ISM Code for safety management systems. Flag state administrations enforce SOLAS compliance, and Port State Control officers inspect ships against its requirements during port visits.

HeyMariner integrates AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to support vessel tracking via the Ship Tracking section at /ships. AIS transponders broadcast vessel identity, position, course, speed, and destination, and this data is aggregated from terrestrial and satellite AIS receivers. The system allows users to monitor fleet positions, check port arrivals, and track vessels of interest in near-real-time.

HeyMariner's port directory at /ports covers hundreds of major commercial ports worldwide. Each port page includes entry procedures, pilotage requirements, anchorage areas, VHF working channels, ISPS security level, customs and immigration contacts, tidal information, and berth specifications. Port agents and ships' agents can request detailed procedures via the RFQ feature. Port information is sourced from official Port Authorities and verified maritime publications.

MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention 2006) is the "fourth pillar" of international maritime law. It guarantees seafarers minimum standards for employment conditions, including: written employment agreements (SEA), minimum wages set by the Joint Maritime Commission, maximum work hours (14 hours per day / 98 per week) or minimum rest (10 hours per day), repatriation rights at the shipowner's expense, medical care on board and ashore, accommodation and food standards, and access to seafarer welfare facilities in port. The ITF enforces MLC compliance through its global network of inspectors.

Yes — HeyMariner is free to access for all maritime professionals and students. Core features including NAVAREA warnings, maritime news, regulation guides, port information, and the maritime wiki are fully free. HeyMariner is currently in its pre-launch phase, and early access users who join via heymariner.com receive priority onboarding when the full platform launches. Premium features for shipping companies and port operators are planned but core seafarer tools will remain free.