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Merchant Navy Deck Officer

Do you want to become a Merchant Navy Deck Officer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Merchant Navy deck officers are part of the team responsible for steering and navigating civilian ships - from cruise liners and ocean-going tankers to ferries and tugs.

Their main tasks include:

• using satellite and radar navigation equipment
• using the computer system to monitor speed and fuel consumption, access weather reports and input navigation routes
• supervising the ratings in their command.

In the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) - civilian-crewed ships that support the Royal Navy - deck officers may be responsible for monitoring the movement of helicopters, specialised navigation, and nuclear, biological or chemical damage control.

Life on board a ship is a year-round, 24-hour-a-day operation. The work is divided into shifts, called watches. Typically a watch of four hours on, is followed by a watch of eight hours off. Holiday leave is generous. Deck officers spend their time on the bridge under cover, and on deck where weather conditions will sometimes be stormy. Officers in the RFA may have to work in warfare situations.

Salaries range from around £8,000 a year for trainees to more than £45,000.

Merchant Navy deck officers need to be:

• responsible and able to lead their team
• interested in, and able to use the latest technology
• prepared to be away from family and friends
• confident and decisive
• interested in travel and being at sea.

The shipping industry recruits approximately 600 trainees each year. More than 40 UK shipping companies employ around 26,000 deck and engineering officers.

Shipping companies or training organisations may sponsor trainees (known as cadets), who study for their qualifications at college and go on an industrial placement at sea. Entry requirements for cadets vary, but entrants usually need at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including maths, English and physics. Entrants must be healthy, have good eyesight, perfect colour vision, and pass a medical.

Entry to officer training is through a maritime-related science degree (such as Nautical Science or Maritime Studies) or HND. Officer training typically lasts between three and four years, with approximately 12 to 15 months spent at sea.

There are good opportunities for promotion, which is based on length of service and merit, together with gaining Maritime and Coastguard Agency Certificates of Competency.

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