Minimum Requirements
We have outlined some useful information on how to work at sea in each type of role. Seafarers are required to hold specialist certification to work at sea and we have outlined these minimum entry requirements and have provided helpful links to marine training organisations.
Click on a link below to reveal the answer to each question.
Role: Master Mariners and Deck Officers are responsible for the navigation of the ship, the loading/discharge of cargo, voyage planning, radio communication, environmental issues, health and safety issues, administration duties and the control/safety of the crew and passengers. Masters, also known as Captains, are in overall command of the ship and are responsible for the safety, efficiency and commercial feasibility of the ship. His/her duties are navigational at sea, whilst in ports he is responsible for cargo operations. Working under the Master is the Chief Officer (Chief Mate), Second Officer (2nd Mate), Third Officer (3rd Mate) and Trainee Officer.
Qualifications / Skills Required: Deck Officers are required to undertake Merchant Navy training involving college time and sea time to work towards an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence (CoC). They also require to complete STCW 95 basic safety training courses, covering personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid and personal safety and social responsibilities and hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical certificate. Additionally, they require GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Safety System), Medical First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting, CPSC & RB (Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats) and Designated Security Duties training.
For more information visit www.careersatsea.org
Role: Marine Engineers ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment onboard, including carrying out repairs, inspections and maintenance programmes of propulsion systems, refrigeration machinery, desk machinery and passenger systems. They manage power, fuelling and distributions systems. The Chief Engineering Officer is in charge of the engineering department and is responsible for working of all equipment onboard be it electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic. He/she supervises the work of the engine room and is assisted by a team of engineers including the Second Engineering Officer, Third Engineer, Junior Engineer and Trainee Engineering Officer.
Qualifications / Skills Required: Engineering Officers are required to undertake training involving college time and sea time to work towards an Engineering Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence. They also require to complete STCW 95 basic safety training courses, covering personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid and personal safety and social responsibilities and hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical certificate. Additionally, they require Medical First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting, CPSC & RB (Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats) and Designated Security Duties training.
For more information visit www.careersatsea.org
Role: ETO’s are responsible for the maintenance and testing of all electrical equipment onboard the ship, including engine room, bridge systems, refrigeration, and passenger areas. ETO’s play a particularly important role when working on cruise ships where he/she are required to manage all electrical equipment of the ship and passenger areas.
Qualifications / Skills Required: Basic entry level candidates must hold an electrical qualification, such as City and Guilds or a formal Merchant Navy training course – HND Electrical Technical Officer. They are also required to complete STCW 95 basic safety training courses, covering personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, Designated Security Duties training and personal safety and social responsibilities and hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical certificate.
If you hold an electrical qualification and are interested in becoming an Electro-Techncial Officer we advise you first contact the MCA to confirm that your qualification is valid or for more information visit www.careersatsea.org
Role: An Able Seaman or Efficient Deckhand work as an unlicensed member of the deck department. Deck ratings are responsible for cleaning, sweeping, chipping of rust, polishing, etc. They help in loading and unloading of cargo and in port they assist in the mooring of the ship as well as taking a watch at sea. They are also members of the emergency team, lifesaving, damage control, and safety equipment.
Qualifications / Skills Required: The basic level is Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) which can lead on to an Able Seaman certificate. Currently the only entry route to EDH is to be sponsored by a shipping company as it requires candidates to complete sea-time onboard a sea going merchant ship.
Candidates require the following to obtain an EDH certificate: 4 basic STCW 95 certificates (Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities), ENG1 seafarer’s medical, Security Awareness Training (Designated Security Duties training may be required by certain companies) Navigational Watch Rating Certificate* and 12 months sea time on sea going merchant ships.
Candidates require the following to obtain an AB certificate: 4 basic STCW 95 certificates (Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities) ENG1 seafarer’s medical, Security Awareness Training (Designated Security Duties training may be required by certain companies), Navigational Watch Rating Certificate*, EDH certificate, CPSC & RB (Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats) or CPSC (Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft) or Lifeboatman. At least 24 months sea time in the Deck department, or 36 months as a GP (General Purpose Rating) of at least 12 months on Deck duties, is required.
*Navigational Watch Rating Certificate has to be applied for by a UK MCA approved company and can only be obtained onboard a vessel. To obtain this certificate, candidates must have the 4 basic STCW 95 certificates and have completed either or at least 6 months approved sea going sea service in Deck department, or special training and at least 2 months approved sea going service.
Role:Motormen are responsible for day to day cleaning, repair and routine maintenance of the engine room onboard the ship.
Qualifications / Skills Required: The basic level is Motorman, which can lead to a Fitter or GP1. Currently the only entry route to Motorman is to be sponsored by a shipping company as it requires candidates to complete sea time onboard a sea going merchant navy ship in order to gain an Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate.
Candidates require the following to work as a Motorman: 4 basic STCW 95 certificates (Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities), ENG1 seafarer’s medical, Security Awareness Training (Designated Security Duties training may be required by certain companies) and Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate.*
*Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate has to be applied for by a UK MCA approved shipping company and can only be obtained onboard a ship. To obtain this certificate, candidates must have the 4 basic STCW 95 certificates and have completed either or at least 6 months approved sea going sea service in the Engine department, or special training and at least 2 months approved sea going service.
Role: This department is responsible for serving food to the crew and passengers, cleaning accommodation and public areas and serving customers on passenger vessels. The department is headed by the Chief Purser who is in charge of the Cooks and Stewards.
Qualifications / Skills Required: Candidates are required to undertake an ENG1 seafarer’s medical, Security Awareness Training (Designated Security Duties training may be required by certain companies) and STCW 95 basic safety training consisting of the following courses: Personal survival techniques, Fire prevention and fire fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. The ENG1 medical must be carried out by an MCA approved Doctor.
Role: Cooks are responsible for preparing all meals for the crew and passengers on board the ship.
Qualifications / Skills Required: Cooks must hold a Certificate of Competency as Ship’s Cook part 1 and preferably part 2 – some technical colleges offer this course throughout the UK, for example Glasgow Metropolitan College – http://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk. In some cases a medical care onboard certificate is also required. Additionally they must hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical, Security Awareness Training (Designated Security Duties training may be required by certain companies) and STCW 95 basic safety training consisting of the following courses: Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. The ENG1 medical must be carried out by an MCA approved Doctor.