CAREERS
There are plenty of exciting careers in the maritime sector to choose from – both on and offshore. As a Deck, Engineering or Electro-technical Officer you could be in charge of operating and managing commercial ships. While becoming a Rating would make the most of your broad seafaring skills – from navigation and engine room maintenance to Catering, Hospitality and other Onboard Services.
For shore-based jobs in ship management and other marine industries, you’ll find incredibly varied and rewarding opportunities such as maritime law, surveying ships or training future seafarers.
For shore-based jobs in ship management and other marine industries, you’ll find incredibly varied and rewarding opportunities such as maritime law, surveying ships or training future seafarers.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The Merchant Navy doesn’t just promise an exciting adventure, but job security and satisfaction. Whichever role you choose, you can be sure a career at sea will offer a lifetime of rewarding challenges, skills and the professional seafaring certifications you need to progress.
Becoming an Officer
Ships Officers in Navigation (Deck) and Engineering need a seafarer Certificate of Competency – issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. You receive the Officer of the Watch certificate (OOW), when you complete your Merchant Navy Training Board course through a maritime college/university.
Then as your experience at sea grows and you pass the required examinations, you’ll get more certificates for promotion into the next job role.
Take the Ratings route
Ratings work in Navigation (Deck), Engine Room, Catering, Hospitality and Onboard Services. With the help of the JW Slater Fund, Ratings can apply for funding to take Officer of the Watch certification.
Becoming an Officer
Ships Officers in Navigation (Deck) and Engineering need a seafarer Certificate of Competency – issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. You receive the Officer of the Watch certificate (OOW), when you complete your Merchant Navy Training Board course through a maritime college/university.
Then as your experience at sea grows and you pass the required examinations, you’ll get more certificates for promotion into the next job role.
Take the Ratings route
Ratings work in Navigation (Deck), Engine Room, Catering, Hospitality and Onboard Services. With the help of the JW Slater Fund, Ratings can apply for funding to take Officer of the Watch certification.
For shore-based jobs in ship management and other marine industries, you’ll find incredibly varied and rewarding opportunities such as maritime law, surveying ships or training future seafarers.
CHOOSE YOUR ROLE
Want to get away from humdrum jobs? Then a career at sea could offer the excitement and variety you crave. But before you start applying to companies, it’s important to consider what type of ship you’d like to train and work on – to make sure you get the right fit for you. There are lots of merchant ships to choose from. They include modern ferries, container ships, luxury cruise liners, oil, large commercial yachts, gas and chemical tankers – as well as support vessels for the offshore exploration industry.
Whichever maritime path – and role – you take, a unique way of life packed with challenges and responsibilities awaits.
With over 90% of goods coming in and out of the UK by sea, merchant ships are a vital national industry.
The main roles on board are Ships Officers and Ratings. Officers supervise and manage everything to do with running and maintaining the ship, carrying cargo and passengers. When you first enrol as a trainee you’ll generally work in one of the following departments: Navigation (Deck) or Engineering & Electro-Technical – mixing academic study with practical training at college or university, and at sea.
Ratings work under officers in all departments – carrying out essential tasks in the day-to-day running of the ship.
Whichever maritime path – and role – you take, a unique way of life packed with challenges and responsibilities awaits.
With over 90% of goods coming in and out of the UK by sea, merchant ships are a vital national industry.
The main roles on board are Ships Officers and Ratings. Officers supervise and manage everything to do with running and maintaining the ship, carrying cargo and passengers. When you first enrol as a trainee you’ll generally work in one of the following departments: Navigation (Deck) or Engineering & Electro-Technical – mixing academic study with practical training at college or university, and at sea.
Ratings work under officers in all departments – carrying out essential tasks in the day-to-day running of the ship.
Did You Know?
You can recognise the various ranks in the Merchant Navy by the epaulettes: ornamental shoulder pieces or decoration worn on the uniform. Used to identify Officers from seamen and Ratings, each insignia is worn with pride across every department.
