Occupational map

Overview | Commercial Sea Fishing | Marine Leisure | Maritime Search and Rescue | Merchant Navy | Ports and Harbours

Marine Leisure - Required Qualifications

Design
Naval Architect (Yacht Designer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Yacht Designer (Boat Designer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Draughtsman/Draughtwoman (CAD Technician) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Manufacturing
Boat Builder (Yacht Builder, Boat Repairer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Boat Fitter (Marine Craftsperson) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Marine Engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Electrics/Electronics Engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Buying and Selling
Yacht Broker (Yacht Agent , Dealer, Distributor) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Yacht Surveyor ( Marine Surveyor, Small Craft Surveyor) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Watersports Instruction and Coaching
Watersports manager - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Watersports instructor - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Marinas and yacht harbours
Marina manager (Yacht Harbour Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Dockmaster (Operations Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Marina operative (Berthing Assistant , Mooring Assistant , Yard Assistant ) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Crew

Superyacht
Captain - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
First officer (Mate) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Chef - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Chief Steward/Stewardess (Interior Director, Interior Manager, Hotel Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Deckhand (Deck rating) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Chartering/holidays
Flotilla engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Flotilla host/hostess - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Skipper:
Delivery Skipper - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Flotilla Skipper - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Bareboat Skipper - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Charter Skipper - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Key

Design

Naval Architect (Yacht Designer)

Normally graduate entry in a relevant degree (accredited by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects- RINA) such as Yacht Manufacturing and Surveying, Marine Engineering, Ship Science or Mechanical Engineering. A professional naval architect is required to be a member of RINA and registered with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng). Entry without a degree is possible.

Yacht Designer (Boat Designer)

Normally graduate entry. May be qualified as a Naval Architect but no requirement to be a member of RINA or similar institution. No mandatory requirements.

Draughtsman/Draughtwoman (CAD Technician)

A number of qualifications cover CAD, including:
Level 3 Certificate in Computer Aided Design (City and Guilds)
Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Engineering and Technology (EAL)

Manufacturing

Boat Builder (Yacht Builder, Boat Repairer)

If working in a boat yard or similar environment, will usually have a relevant Health and Safety qualification
Level 3 Certificate in Boat Building , Maintenance and Support (City & Guilds)
Level 3 S/NVQ Boat Building and Maintenance (EAL)
Foundation/Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Boat Building
Boat Building NVQs expire in 08/06. Their replacement is yet to be accredited.

Boat Fitter (Marine Craftsperson)

If working in a boat yard or similar environment, will usually have a relevant Health and Safety qualification
Level 2 Certificate in Boat Building, Maintenance and Support (City & Guilds)*
Level 2 S/NVQ Boat Production and Support Services (EAL)
Foundation/Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Boat Building

Marine Engineer

Electrics/Electronics Engineer

If working in a boat yard or similar environment, will usually have a relevant Health and Safety qualification
Level 2 S/NVQ Marine Engineering (EAL)
Level 3 S/NVQ Marine Engineering Operations (EDEXCEL)
Level 3 S/NVQ Marine Engineering (EAL)
Foundation/Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Boat Building
Level 5 BTEC HND Marine Engineering (EDEXCEL)
Certificate in Boatbuilding: engineering pathway (City and Guilds)

Buying and Selling

Yacht Broker (Yacht Agent , Dealer, Distributor)

Shipping qualifications are not required. May hold a broad marine course which includes marine surveying.
May hold a RYA Powerboat qualification (Level 2) and/or a Day Skipper certificate
Introduction to Brokerage (ABYA)

Yacht Surveyor ( Marine Surveyor, Small Craft Surveyor)

May come through boatbuilding or repair experience route. Could also be a qualified Naval Architect. Relevant qualifications include degrees in Yacht Manufacturing and Surveying, Engineering, and Marine Engineering.

Watersports Instruction and Coaching

Watersports manager

First Aid Qualification
At least two instructor qualifications
RYA Level 2 Powerboat instructor

Watersports instructor

The role requires a First Aid certificate and possibly a RYA Safety Boat certificate. In addition, instructors are qualified to at least Level 2 in the relevant activity :
Windsurfing instructor (RYA)
Powerboat instructor (RYA)
Inland waterways instructor (RYA)

Marinas and yacht harbours

Marina manager (Yacht Harbour Manager)

May hold a Level 2 Powerboat qualification and a Day Skipper certificate

May also have undertaken:
Certified Marine Manager Certificate (IMI)
Degree in Marina Management (IMI)

Dockmaster (Operations Manager)

No specific requirements

Marina operative ( Berthing Assistant , Mooring Assistant , Yard Assistant)

Level 2 S/NVQ Boat Production and Support Services (EAL)
Marina Operatives Certificate (BMF)

Crew

Sea-going positions usually require an STCW 95 if working on a commercial/charter vessel. This is not necessary for a private vessel.

Superyacht

Captain, on a Superyacht

<24m: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence
MCA Master of Yachts 200T
>24m and up to 200GT: RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence
MCA qualification Master of Yachts 200T
MCA Fire Fighting, First Aid and Social Responsibilities; MCA oral exam
>24m and less than 3000GT: MCA Master of Yachts Certificate of Competence
Commercial Endorsement (if paying customers)

First officer, (Mate) on a Superyacht

May also have RYA Commercially Endorsed Certificate
Level 4 S/NVQ Marine Vessel Operations (EDEXCEL)

Engineer, on a Superyacht

Either:

Appoved Engineer Course certificate (MCA)
Marine Engineer Operating Licence (Yacht) (MCA)

Or:

< 200 gt and < 1,500 kW: STCW III/3
< 500 gt and < 3,000 kW: STCW III/2 (Yacht 1)
< 3,000 gt and < 3,000 kW: STCW III/2 (Yacht 2)
< 3,000 gt and < 9,000 kW: STCW III/2 (Yacht 3)
Professional Yacht Engineer Course ( UK Sailing Academy )

Chef, on a Superyacht

Experience as a head/sous chef in a hotel, restaurant or on a yacht
Chef qualification, such as:
Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds)
Level 3 S/NVQ Professional Cookery (City and Guilds)

Chief Steward/Stewardess. (Interior Director, Interior Manager, Hotel Manager) on a Superyacht

Chief Steward will normally have experience as an Assistant Steward(ess). For top end yachts, may have experience as a butler.

There are no specific qualifications, but a background in food and drink, hospitality and catering or customer service is an advantage. May have undertaken the UKSA Marine Hospitality training programme which includes the following qualifications: UKSA Professional Yacht Marine Hospitality Certificate; MCA Personal Safety and Social Responsibility; MCA Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting; MCA Personal Survival Techniques; MCA Elementary First Aid. RYA Powerboat Level 1.

Deckhand, (Deck rating) on a Superyacht

Qualifications not normally needed but may have RYA qualifications. Experience is most important. Role may be combined with Flotilla Engineer. Must have the MCA Yacht Rating Certificate to work on large sailing and motor yachts. Helpful if have undertaken a course in fibreglass restoration.

Chartering/holidays

Flotilla engineer

RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance
Common entry route is with experience as a car mechanic

Flotilla host/hostess

Hospitality and catering qualifications may help but no specific requirements.

Skipper

Delivery Skipper

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (commercially endorsed)
(Depending on distance, an RYA Coastal Certificate of Competence may suffice)

Flotilla Skipper

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (commercially endorsed)

Bareboat Skipper

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (commercially endorsed)

Charter Skipper

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (commercially endorsed)