DEPARTURE OF SAILORS ABROAD DURING THE STATE OF MARTIAL

Border crossing rules for sailors have changed since the beginning of martial law. Initially, this option was not provided for, but later legislators and government officials made changes in the regulation of this issue. If you are interested in sailors going abroad, the latest news starting in the fall is comforting. So, in September, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed sailors to cross the border to work on ships. It is possible to stay on a ship outside of our country within the term stipulated in the contract. The resolution is dated September 2, 2022 and has number 992.

What exactly is stipulated in the Resolution?

The document states that even during martial law, citizens of draft age who are seafarers may cross the border in cases where they are on their way to:

• work in the crews of sea vessels or inland navigation vessels;
• passing practical training for such work.

The document defines which categories of sailors it is about. Including:

1. cadets studying at educational institutions for further training on a ship - both with a Ukrainian and a foreign flag;
2. sailors who are on their way to work on ships that export Ukrainian agricultural products within the so-called "grain initiative";
3. other Ukrainian sailors.

The third group is the most numerous, as practice shows. However, there is a certain condition for all groups. This applies exclusively to those sailors who:

• have acquired this education before the full-scale invasion of 2022 begins;
• completed their studies already in the period when martial law was introduced.

If we explain this legislative norm in more detail, it is aimed at ensuring that sailors who can travel abroad do not become those who would now choose such a specialty only for this purpose.

Departure of sailors from Ukraine: peculiarities

All of the above is not evidence that just being a seafarer allows you to travel abroad without any other preparatory actions. It is necessary to obtain permission to travel abroad in accordance with the procedure established by law. And this means that you must first collect all the necessary documents. First of all, we are talking about the seafarer's identity card, and the rest of the documents depend on his category. Let's consider it in more detail.

Therefore, if it is about cadets, they must provide the certificate issued to them by the educational institution. Military registration documents are also attached to it. As for the seafarers who are to be part of the ships heading within the so-called Grain Corridor, then documents regarding the ship's role from the Shipping Administration are required. In addition, copies of educational and qualification documents are attached.

For most sailors, it is necessary to submit not only a confirmation from the Administration, but also military registration documents, where representatives of the military commissariat have made the necessary notes.

How can our services be useful?

Lawyers of the "Prikhodko&Partners" law office regularly keep their finger on the pulse of news related to the legal norms regarding the departure of seafarers abroad. We will answer all your questions and tell you about the algorithm of actions specifically in your case, because the requirements are different for different categories of sailors.

In addition to consulting, we can provide legal support in interaction with the Military Committee, which will make this issue much easier for you and save you from bureaucratic aspects or overreach of powers by its representatives.

So apply. The team of our legal company includes specialists who will help you deal with the issues of seafarers' departure abroad and provide all the necessary legal support for such a departure.