MN survivors replacement papers

[yperman]

Can someone help me please? When merchant marine sailors survived a sinking how did they replace their papers - identity, officers', specialism and so on? As I understand it some merchant marine 

ratings - stokers and so on often changed ship and line. So what happened when they landed on the beach with only the overalls they wore at the time of the sinking?

[MerchantOldSalt]

Yperman

If abroad, they would be returned to the UK DBS (Distressed British seaman) on the next available ship.  Once in the UK they would attend their local Mercantile Marine Office, there was one in most ports of any size, and officers would fill in an Application for a Certified copy of their Certificate of Competency Exn 23,  example attached, there were also forms for Application for a Certified Copy of their Discharge Book, applicable to Officers and Ratings, and any other paperwork they might require to return to sea.  A Birth Certificate, which would not have been carried on the ship, was all that was necessary as proof of identity for new Certificates etc. to be issued.  

 

These Applications could also be made through a Colonial Office, Consulate abroad if the seaman was not returned to the UK and was required to sign-on another ship whilst still abroad

 

To assist the Mercantile Marine Officer etc the  Certificate of Competency number and Discharge book number would be remembered by almost all seaman!

 

This was done fairly quickly in any case as Merchant Seamen became in short supply as the war continued. 

Tony

Edited 18 June , 2019 by MerchantOldSalt

[yperman]

29 minutes ago, MerchantOldSalt said:

 

This was done fairly quickly in any case as Merchant Seamen became in short supply as the war continued. 

Thank you very much Tony Yperman