What is the work like?
The Merchant Navy is the collective term for the British civilian shipping industry, consisting of companies operating ships ranging from small tugs, coasters and ferries through to large ocean going tankers, bulk carriers, container and cruise ships. It also includes the entire offshore energy industry as well as the supply and support ships operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for the Royal Navy. However, the Merchant Navy is not a single entity, being actually composed of individual companies who are responsible for their own recruitment and training.

Merchant Navy officers have responsibility for a range of tasks in either the deck or the engine department. There are also some dual officer roles, covering both departments. Deck officers are responsible for steering and navigating the ship, while engineer officers are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship's mechanical and electrical equipment.

The person in charge of a ship is known as the master or captain. This post carries full responsibility for the ship, the crew, the cargo, passengers, the safety of the ship and everyone on board, and for navigating the ship to where it needs to go. The person in charge of a ship's engineering and technical systems is the chief engineer.

Entry level
You can start your training at 16, 18 or 21, with a range of entry routes, and you can choose from deck or engineering options. Whether you join as a cadet, undergraduate or graduate, you would follow a programme of learning and experience, with alternating periods at college and at sea, obtaining the relevant qualifications and professional maritime certificates. Each route provides progression opportunities to the next stage, through the ranks to master/captain or chief engineer, depending on your chosen option, ability and ambition. You would be sponsored during your training. The sponsorship package would vary according to the training programme and the company concerned but your tuition fees would be paid and the total cost of practical training and experience at sea met by the company. In some cases, sponsorship can include a salary or training allowance to cover residential costs at college. The Merchant Navy Training Board is at present developing a framework for two-year Foundation Degrees in the merchant navy. These will eventually become the mainstream entry route for officer cadets, although the current graduate entry route will remain unchanged.

You must be in good health and you would have to pass a statutory medical examination before being employed at sea. A good standard of eyesight is also required for prospective deck (navigation) personnel. You should generally be aged between 16 and 21, although older candidates are sometimes considered. For officer cadet training, you can enter with at least four good GCSE/S Grade passes A-C/1-3 including English, maths and physics or combined science; or with A level/Advanced Higher/Higher or equivalent, preferably including maths and/or physics. For graduate entry, you would need to have a science-based degree.

Making the grade
Career development will often depend on the employing shipping company and the kinds of vessels it operates.

As a qualified deck or engineering officer, and with further training and experience, you can gain the qualifications required to sail as captain or as chief engineer officer. It generally takes an additional six years to achieve these qualifications.

Personal qualities
As a Merchant Navy officer, you must be prepared to accept responsibility not only for making important decisions yourself but also for inspiring confidence in the crew. You would need the knowledge, leadership, communication and team-working skills to keep complex systems running in extremes of temperature and weather, to demanding schedules and within safety and efficiency requirements.

You would need to be able to cope with living, possibly for several months at a time, in a confined space far from friends and family.

Looking ahead
The Merchant Navy recruits approximately 500 to 600 cadets annually. More than 40 UK shipping companies employ around 18,000 deck and engineering officers. About 20 companies sponsor cadets. In recent years, there have been more vacancies than applicants to fill them, so prospects are currently good.

Experienced officers are also in demand in shore-based positions, with shipping companies, port authorities and others needing seafaring experience.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include Royal Navy officer or opportunities in the other uniformed services.

Take-home pay
Salaries vary from company to company. Training salaries for cadets are usually in the range £8,000 to £9,500, with all tuition and on-board food and accommodation included. Shore-based accommodation costs are deducted. Starting salaries upon qualification for junior officers are in the range £20,000 to £25,000.

Progression to the rank of captain or chief engineer can lead to salaries of over £50,000. Salaries on foreign-going ships - spending at least 183 days per year out of the UK - are tax-free.

Effects
Ships are in operation continuously, and officers work shifts (known as 'watches'), which may vary according to the size of the ship. On a large vessel they may work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off duty. Working patterns vary between a few weeks and several months, depending on the type of ship and its trading patterns. Leave periods between voyages also vary but are normally generous to compensate for time spent away from home.

Sources of information
A Career at Sea: www.gotosea.org.uk
Marine Society: www.marine-society.org
Merchant Navy Training Board: www.mntb.org.uk

CRCI: WF