Merchant Navy Deck Officer
What is the work like?
Merchant Navy deck officers work in the shipping industry aboard container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise liners and ferries. They control a ship's navigation, communications, crew and cargo. They also look after people on passenger 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 to set a course. You would also monitor the vessel's position, speed, direction, and weather reports. You would use radio and satellite communications on the ship's bridge to speak to other ships in the area and onshore, 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.
If you are a deck officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (civilian-crewed ships operated by the Ministry of Defence) you may be responsible for monitoring helicopter movements, specialised navigation and nuclear biological chemical damage (NCBD) control.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are different routes into the Merchant Navy, depending on your qualifications and experience. These are outlined below, but as a new recruit you should be sponsored by a shipping company or training provider. The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) has a list of organisations that provide sponsorship.
You can join the Merchant Navy from age 16 onwards as an officer cadet or marine apprentice, if you have at least four GCSEs (A-C) or equivalent qualifications. These should include English, maths and physics (or combined science). For more details, check the Marine Society and Sea Cadets website.
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 have onboard practical training built into them. See the MNTB and the Career at Sea websites for more information about this career and a list of course providers.
If you have relevant experience, or are a former Royal Navy officer, you will also be considered.
You must have good eyesight and be physically fit, as you will have to pass a medical before you can start training.
What further training and development can I do?
Your training would combine onshore college-based study with sea-going placements to gain 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 normally takes around three to four years to qualify as a junior officer (Third Officer).
Training would include seafaring skills, ship safety, practical work-based projects and academic study, for example nautical science.
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 for that level.
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 MNTB and Career at Sea websites for more information about courses and training.
Where can I go for more information?
DNR RFA RecruitmentRoom 122
Victory Building
HM Naval Base Portsmouth
PO1 3LS
Tel: 0845 604 0520
12 Carthusian St
London
EC1M 6EZ
Tel: 0800 085 0973
London
SE1 7JW
Tel: 020 7654 7000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Cadet trainees' salaries are between £5,000 and £8,000 a year.
- Qualified junior deck officers earn between £20,000 and £22,000 a year.
- Experienced officers earn from £22,000 to over of £50,000, depending on rank.
The employer would pay for food and accommodation whilst at sea, and for some travel costs when onshore.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Merchant Navy vessels operate around the clock and you would work shifts, known as 'watches', which would vary according to the size of your ship. On a large vessel, you would work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off duty.
You would spend a lot of time at sea, which 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, and you would work in all weather conditions. If you are with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, you might sometimes have to work in combat zones.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- 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, often for long periods of time
- good teamworking skills
- excellent mathematical ability – this is very important 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.
What opportunities are there?
Opportunities in the Merchant Navy are good and very varied, with industry bodies predicting a rise in seaborne trade over the next 10 to 20 years.
As an officer, your skills would be in demand for 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 MCA Competency Certificates.
Your options for promotion to higher engineering officer grades would be based on your length of service, your work record and having the relevant OOW certificates.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
A Career at Sea (list of shipping companies)
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
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