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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
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