Minimum Requirements

Seafarers are required to hold specialist certification to work in the Merchant Navy. We have outlined these minimum entry requirements for each type of rank below, and useful links to obtain further information.

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Master / Deck Officers

They 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. The Master (Captain) is in overall command of a ship and is responsible for the safety, efficiency and commercial feasibility of his ship. His duties are navigational at sea, while in ports he is responsible for cargo operations. Working under the Master is the Chief Officer (Chief Mate), 2nd Officer (2nd Mate), 3rd Officer (3rd Mate), Trainee Officer.

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. They are also required 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 and CPSC & RB (Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats). 

Engineering Officers
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 Engineer 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 2nd Engineer Officer, 3rd Engineer Officer, Junior Engineer and Trainee Engineering Officer.

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 are also required 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 and CPSC & RB (Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats). 

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) / Electrician

ETO’s are responsible for the maintenance and testing of all electrical equipment onboard, including engine room, bridge systems, refrigeration, and passenger areas. ETO’s play a particularly important role on cruise ships where he/she are required to manage all electrical equipment of the ship and passenger areas.

Basic entry level candidates would be required to 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 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.

Deck Rating (AB, EDH)
An Able Seaman or Efficient Deck Hand is 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.

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
  • Navigational Watch Rating Certificate*
  • 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
  • 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. 

*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. 

Engine Rating (Motorman, Fitter, GP1)
Engine Ratings are responsible for day to day cleaning, repair and routine maintenance of the engine room.

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 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
  • Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate*   

*Engine Room 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 the Engine department, or special training and at least 2 months approved sea going service. 

Steward / Purser / Onboard Services

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.

Candidates are required to undertake an ENG1 seafarer’s medical 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.

Cook

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.

In some cases a medical care onboard certificate is also required. Additionally they must hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical 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.

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