Merchant Navy deck officer

Merchant Navy deck officers are responsible for the navigation of ships. They check that cargo is safe and stable, supervise crew members and make sure that their ship is fit to sail.

Also known as:

Navigation officer

Work activities

There are normally two main departments on board ship: deck and engine. The deck department is concerned with the overall operation of the ship. A deck officer’s responsibilities include navigation, communications, cargo and stability, maintenance and safety. Deck officers carry out navigational watchkeeping, which involves plotting the ship’s position, giving steering instructions and following the “rule of the road”. The watch system usually involves four hours on watch and eight hours off, or six on and six off. Deck officers also oversee the storage and securing of cargo. They make stability calculations and maintain safety and equipment. In addition to this, they supervise deck crew members and ensure the safety of passengers. The ship’s captain (the senior deck officer on board) is in overall charge of the ship and is responsible for the safety of passengers and crew. Sometimes, deck officers have to work in difficult and uncomfortable conditions. Merchant Navy officers spend up to four months at a time away from family and friends. They usually stay in their own cabin, with an en-suite bathroom. Recreation facilities vary according to the ship.

Merchant Navy deck officers can also work on Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships. These ships supply cargo to Royal Navy (RN) ships at sea. The safe transfer of cargo from an RFA ship to a RN ship involves slightly different responsibilities for the deck officer. These might include helicopter control duties, inter-ship liaison and control of sophisticated handling equipment. As RFA personnel work closely with the Royal Navy, they may have to perform duties under combat conditions.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

To be able to show initiative and self-reliance.
Good problem-solving skills.
To be a confident person so that your instructions are respected and followed.
Good teamworking skills, as you’ll often be working with large groups of people.
An interest in the sea and sea craft.
To be a well-organised person who can plan ahead.

Good eyesight is very important for deck officers, so you will have to pass an eyesight test. Your colour vision will also be tested.

Pay and opportunities

Salary rates for Merchant Navy officers vary with the company. The pay rates given are approximate. Deck officers earn in the range of £12,700 - £40,000 per year.

Shift work is usual. Ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Demand for deck officers is steady.

Merchant Navy personnel are civilian employees who work on a variety of ships of all sizes including:

Passenger and cruise liners
Container ships
Oil tankers
Cargo vessels
Passenger and freight ferries
Marine mining vessels.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which supplies Royal Navy ships at sea with stores and fuel, also employs civilian Merchant Navy personnel. Merchant Navy deck officers work on board ships on local, national and international voyages.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies are advertised on shipping lines’ websites.

Entry routes and training

The main route into careers in the Merchant Navy is by applying directly to sponsoring companies. The Merchant Navy Training Board has a complete list of these companies. Once sponsored, there are various routes to full qualification. You can start your career after completing an industry-backed foundation degree, HND or degree. Relevant subjects include:

Marine engineering
Nautical science navigation
Maritime science

People with seafaring experience or relevant qualifications may be exempt from some of the academic and practical aspects of training. This makes your route to full qualification quicker. Sponsoring companies will provide relevant details.

You could begin your career by doing an intermediate apprenticeship in the role of seafarer (deck rating) and undertake further training later on.

Training varies according to employing companies. In general, subjects studied include:

Navigation.
General ship knowledge.
Meteorology.
Operational safety.
Engineering and control systems.
Shipboard operations.
Practical training in safety, sea survival and firefighting.

After your training period, the promotion routes for deck officers are as follows:

Third officer to second officer.
Second officer to chief officer.
Chief officer to master (captain).

For each of the ranks mentioned you will have to hold a certificate of competency which is issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

To enter a relevant degree, you will need a minimum of:

Two A-levels; subjects such as maths and physics will be useful.
Five GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths.

Alternatives to A levels include:

BTEC level 3 qualifications.
Advanced apprenticeship.

International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. However, entry requirements for different courses vary, so check university prospectuses for more details.

To enter a relevant HNC, HND or foundation degree, you will usually need:

One A-level. Science subjects are useful.
A GCSE at grades 9-4 in your A-level subject.
A further three to four GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, maths and a science subject.

To undertake an intermediate apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant foundation degrees are available from numerous institutions via part-time and distance learning study. A list of nautical colleges and universities is available from the Merchant Navy Training Board website. The Marine Society College of the Sea offers seafarers a route to top up their HND or foundation degree to a full honours degree. Candidates can go on to achieve an MA or MSc.

Candidates can apply for financial support for study from The Marine Society.

Related careers

Coastguard watch officer
Merchant Navy electro-technical officer
Merchant Navy engineer officer
Merchant Navy rating
Royal Navy officer