Merchant Navy deck officers look after the day-to-day running and navigation of ships, and take care of passengers and cargo.
£20,500 Starter
to£80,000 Experienced
52 to 54 variable
evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home
You can get into this job through:
You can start your career after completing an industry-backed foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. These courses usually include onboard practical training. Relevant subjects include:
You'll usually need:
You could do an intermediate apprenticeship as an able seafarer (deck). This will usually take around 18 to 24 months to complete, including time at sea.
You'll usually need:
You can join the Merchant Navy from age 16 onwards as an officer cadet or marine apprentice and train on the job.
You will also usually need to find a sponsoring company to put you through initial training.
You can find out more about becoming a Merchant Navy deck officer from Careers at Sea and the Royal Fleet Auxilliary.
You'll need:
You'll need to:
Your day-to-day tasks will depend on your rank:
You could work on a ship.
Your working environment may be at height, you'll travel often and spend nights away from home, outdoors in all weathers and cramped.
You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.
The Merchant Navy has clear progression routes through its ranks
You could find onshore and offshore positions with shipping companies, port authorities, maritime insurance companies and shipping brokers. Roles include logistics and fleet coordination, training and general management.
You could work for UK companies or for shipping companies based overseas.
You could also become a manager in other sectors.