Merchant navy deck officer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

The Merchant Navy is the name given to the UK’s commercial shipping industry. It includes:-

• Cruise ships
• Containerships
• High tech ferries
• High quality oil, gas and chemical tankers
• Modern bulk carriers carrying ores, grain and coal
• Specialised support vessels

Merchant Navy deck officers handle the navigation, communications, crew, cargo and overall running of the ship. They also look after passengers on ships and take part in onboard social events.

As a deck officer, you would work at one of four levels, depending on your experience:

• Master (Captain) – you would have full responsibility for the overall running and safety of the ship, crew (ratings), passengers and cargo. You would handle legal and commercial matters and keep all the ship's records up to date
• Chief Officer – you would assist the Master and oversee deck operations and maintenance, cargo handling and storage. You would also manage work schedules and supervise other officers
• Second Officer – you would be responsible for navigation, using radar, satellite and computer systems. You would also monitor the vessel's position, speed, direction and weather reports, and carry out watch duties at sea and in port
• Third Officer – this would usually be your first post after training, dealing with the ship's safety equipment and lifeboats. You would assist the Second Officer and carry out watch duties.

Some very large cargo ships and passenger liners may have a fifth officer level.

As a deck officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (civilian-crewed ships operated by the Ministry of Defence), you could be responsible for monitoring helicopter movements, specialised navigation and nuclear biological chemical damage (NCBD) control.

Hours

Merchant Navy vessels operate around the clock and you would work shifts, known as 'watches', that vary according to the size of your ship. On a large vessel, you would work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off.

Your time at sea could vary from a few days or weeks to several months. Periods of leave between voyages would also vary.

You would work on deck, below deck and on the bridge, in all weather conditions. If you work with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, you may have to work in combat zones.

Income

• Qualified officers can earn between £20,000 and £23,000 a year.
• Experienced officers can earn up to £50,000, depending on rank.

Your employer would pay for food and accommodation whilst at sea, and for some travel costs when onshore.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You can join the Merchant Navy from age 16 onwards as an officer cadet or marine apprentice, if you have at least four GCSEs (grades A-C), or equivalent qualifications. These should include English, maths and physics (or combined science).

There are various routes into the Merchant Navy, depending on your qualifications and experience

• 4 GCSE’s (A-C)/Standard grades (levels 1-3) = HNC/HND in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering

You could also get into the Merchant Navy by taking an industry-backed foundation degree, Scottish Professional Diploma or science degree at university. These courses include onboard practical training.-

• 120 UCAS points – Unspecfied A Levels/Highers = Foundation Degree
• A levels/Highers including Maths and or Physics – Honours Degree

For more information about this career, plus a list of course providers, see the MNTB website or Careersatsea.org

You will also be considered if you have relevant experience, or are a former Royal Navy officer.

As a new recruit you should be sponsored by a shipping company or training provider. See Careesatsea.org for a list of organisations that provide sponsorship.

You must have good eyesight and be physically fit, as you will have to pass a medical before you can start training.

Training and development

Your training would combine onshore college-based study with sea-going placements to give you practical experience of working on a ship. You would work towards a foundation degree and Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency, awarded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It usually takes between three and four years to qualify as a junior officer (Third Officer).

Once qualified, you could take further training to build on your qualifications and skills and move up through the officer grades. Each grade requires specific MCA certification.

If you are a graduate entrant, you would join an accelerated development programme aimed at allowing you to reach the higher officer ranks in a shorter time.

See the Careersatsea.org website for more information about courses and training.

Skills and knowledge

• a confident approach and the ability to inspire confidence in others
• an interest and understanding of the latest vessel technology
• the ability to cope with being away from home for long periods of time
• good teamworking skills
• excellent maths skills for navigational calculations
• good spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to deal with emergencies in a calm and controlled manner
• enthusiasm and self-belief.

More information

Merchant Navy Training Board
Carthusian Court
12 Carthusian St
London
EC1M 6EZ
www.mntb.org.uk

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFA)
CNR RFA Recruitment Office
Room G-13
Building 1/080
Jago Road
PP73A
HMNB Portsmouth
PO1 3LU
Tel: 0845 60 40 520
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary

A Career at Sea
www.careersatsea.org

Marine Society & Sea Cadets
202 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7JW
Tel: 020 7654 7000
www.ms-sc.org

Opportunities

According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, there will be a considerable increase in seaborne trade over the coming years.

You could find both onshore and offshore positions with shipping companies, port authorities, maritime insurance companies and shipping brokers. You could also use your skills to transfer to managerial roles in other industrial and commercial sectors.

Your promotion options would be based on your length of service and on merit, together with possession of the relevant Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Competency Certificates.

For higher engineering officer grades you would need the relevant Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificates.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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