Merchant navy rating Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Merchant Navy ratings are the support staff on board a ship who works under the guidance of the officer. They are skilled seafarers who work in the following departments: Deck, Engine, Catering and Communications.. As a rating you could work on container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, tugs, cruise liners and ferries.

As a rating, your duties would depend on the type of ship and your exact role, but could include:

• loading and unloading cargo
• inspecting and cleaning holds, tanks, cranes and winches
• repairing and painting the ship's hull, fixtures and fittings
• testing fire-fighting and life-saving equipment
• routine mechanical and electrical maintenance
• monitoring equipment controls
• preparing meals in the galley and serving food and drinks
• cleaning cabins, corridors and decks
• stock control and re-ordering supplies.

You would also help deck officers with navigational and watch duties, and anchor the ship when coming into port.

In the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (civilian-crewed ships operated by the Ministry of Defence), you would work on the flight deck during helicopter operations, and help with refuelling. You would also be trained in nuclear, biological and chemical defence measures, weapons handling and repair.

Hours

You would normally work shifts, known as 'watches'. On a large ship, you might work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off.

Conditions on deck could be cold, wet and windy at times, and below deck it could be very noisy, hot and cramped.

If you work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, you may be required to work in combat zones or as part of peace-keeping operations.

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

Income

• Trainee Merchant Navy ratings receive a small salary, plus all college and living costs.
• Trainee Royal Fleet Auxiliary ratings earn around £15,000 plus additional allowances.
• Experienced ratings can earn between £16,000 and £30,000 a year.

Many companies pay salaries that include the average overtime worked, food and accommodation whilst at sea, and travel costs when appropriate.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To become a Merchant Navy rating, you must apply to shipping companies or the Royal Fleet Auxiliary directly. If you are successful, they will sponsor you through a training programme.

Your training would combine college-based study with placements at sea to gain practical experience of working on a ship. The length of your training would depend on your sponsoring company. You would also be expected to pass a medical.

Most sponsoring companies will ask for three to four GCSEs in subjects like English, maths and physics (or combined science), or equivalent qualifications. Relevant qualifications and experience, for example in catering, engineering, freight handling or navigation could also be useful.

For full details about careers, training and sponsoring organisations go to Careersatsea.org or the Merchant Navy Training Board website.

Training and development

As a Deck rating Grade 2 ("Ordinary Seaman") you will undertake safety and professional training, serve the required seatime and obtain your Navigational Watch Rating certificate.

You can then progress to becoming a Deck rating Grade 1 ("Able Seaman") by obtaining your Able Seaman's Certificate, having served the required seatime, acquired your Efficient Deck Hand Certificate and undertaken further professional and safety training. Some ratings in specialist roles such as the pumpman serving on tanker ships will need to have additional training and vocational qualifications.

Skills and knowledge

• good teamworking skills
• a responsible attitude and the ability to work unsupervised
• good practical and technical skills
• catering and customer care skills (for cooking and stewarding jobs)
• a good level of fitness
• an awareness of health and safety
• the ability to cope with being away from home for long periods.

More information

A Career at Sea
www.careersatsea.org

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

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

Opportunities

You would find most opportunities by approaching individual shipping companies. For a list of these shipping companies go to Careersatsea.org or the Merchant Navy Board website.

• Merchant Navy Training Board

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary also takes on a number of trainees each year. See their website for more details.

Your promotion options would depend on your length of service, experience and qualifications. You could progress to the ranks of leading hand, petty officer and chief petty officer.

With the necessary skills and experience, you could take further training to join the junior officer ranks. At a later date if you wish to go through Rating to Officer training you could contact The Marine Society to find out if you would be eligible for the Slater funding.

• http://www.ms-sc.org/Marine-Society/Content/Education/Scholarships-and-Loans

You could also use your skills to move into onshore engineering, or a hospitality and catering career.

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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