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Merchant Navy - Career Pathway

Officers (Navigation Deck)
Master (Captain) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Chief Officer (Chief Mate) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
2nd Officer (2nd Mate) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
3rd Officer (3rd Mate) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Cadet (Trainee Officer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Radio Office (IT officer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Officers (Engineering)
Chief Engineer Officer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
2nd Engineer Officer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
3rd Engineer Officer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Junior Engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Engineer Cadet - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Electrician - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Support Staff/Ratings
Seaman Grade 1 (Able-bodied Seafarer, A.B., Bosun, Deck Chief Petty Officer, Senior Rating, General Purpose Rating, General Purpose Seafarer, G.P. ) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Seaman Grade 2 (Ordinary Seafarer, O.S., Able-bodied Seafarer, A.B., General Purpose Rating, General Purpose Seafarer, G.P.) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Pumpman - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Fitter (Engineering Maintenance Fitter) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Motorman (Mechanic) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
General hand (Oiler, Wiper) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Cook (Ship's Cook, Chief Cook) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Steward - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Trainee Rating (Junior Ordinary Seafarer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Staff sepcific toTugs
Tug Master (Tug Skipper) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Tug Engineer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Tug Hand ( Tug G.P, Tug Deckhand) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Hospitality Staff Specific to Passenger Vessels
Cruise Director - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Chief Purser ( Hotel Service Officer, HR Officer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Shore-based Ship Management

Fleet Operations;
Fleet Director (Commerical Director - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Logistics Co-ordination and Training - Fleet Personnel;
Personnel Manager (Human Resources Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Training Manager (Head of Training) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Personnel Officer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Training Officer - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

General Operations
Operations Manager (Safety Manager, Quality Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Safety Officer (Quality Officer) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Marine Operations
Marine Superindendent - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Marine Technical Assistant - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Engineering Operations
Engineering Superindendent (Technical Superintendent) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Assistant Engineering Superindendent (Assistant Technical Manager) - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications
Engineering Technical Assistant - Role | Career Pathway | Required Qualifications

Officers (Navigation Deck)

Master (Captain)

Opportunities within the Marine Sector
An experienced Master may captain a variety of sizes and types of vessel.
With Master experience opportunities include management (including operations and safety), director (such as fleet) and support roles (such as Marine Superintendent).

Opportunities in the marine leisure industry include super yachts.
Opportunities to move into the ports industry as Harbour Master or Marine Pilot.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Opportunities in consultancy, surveying, lecturing and maritime law.

Chief Officer (Chief Mate)

Opportunities within the Marine Sector
Master.

With experience and STCW II/2 Certification, opportunities include management (including operations and safety), director (such as fleet) and support roles (such as Marine Superintendent).

Opportunities in the marine leisure industry include super yachts.

Opportunities to move into the ports industry as Harbour Master or Marine Pilot.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Opportunities in consultancy, surveying, lecturing and maritime law.

2nd Officer (2nd Mate)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Chief Officer

With experience and STCW II/2 Certification, opportunities include management (including operations, safety and fleet) and support roles (such as Marine Superintendent).

Opportunities in the marine leisure industry include super yachts.

Opportunities to move into the ports industry as Harbour Master, Deputy Harbour Master, Marine Pilot or VTS Officer.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Opportunities in consultancy, surveying, lecturing and maritime law.

3rd Officer (3rd Mate)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
2nd Officer.

With experience and opportunities include management (including operations, safety and fleet) and support roles (such as Assistant Marine Superintendent).

Opportunities in the marine leisure industry include super yachts.

Opportunities to move into the ports industry as Deputy Harbour Master, Marine Pilot or VTS Officer.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Opportunities in consultancy, surveying, lecturing and maritime law.

Cadet (Trainee Officer)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Upon qualification, a trainee officer will usually join a vessel as 3 rd officer, depending on the size of the vessel.

Radio Office (IT officer)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Usually only found on passenger ships, the Radio Officer can progress through the normal deck officer route.

Communication roles, such as a VTS Officer in a port. Also roles in operations value seagoing experience.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Lecturing

Officers (Engineering)

Must be holder of the Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence

Chief Engineer Officer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Chief Engineers are needed on a range of vessels, from oil tankers to passenger liners.

Support opportunities include Engineering Superintendent and Technical Superintendent positions. Other opportunities include consultancy work and top level positions in ship building and repair, design and surveying.

Both the Royal Navy and the marine leisure sector employ Chief Engineers. There are also director and management opportunities in the ports and sector

Opportunities in other Sectors
Consultancy, Lecturing.

There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

2nd Engineer Officer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Chief Engineer.

Middle level shore-based roles include Assistant Engineering Superintendent and Assistant Technical Manager. There are also opportunities in ship yards, design and surveying.

Management and support opportunities in the ports sector. Marine leisure and Royal Navy roles.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Consultancy, Lecturing

There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

3rd Engineer Officer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
2nd Engineer.

Shore-based Engineering Technical Assistant

There are engineering opportunities in the marine leisure and supervising technicians in the ports sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

Junior Engineer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
3rd Engineer, depending on the size of the vessel.

Shore-based Engineering Technical Assistant. There are support opportunities in the ports sector and engineering opportunities in the fishing and marine leisure sectors.

Established routes from other Sectors
Mechanic, general engineering experience

Engineer Cadet

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
The first posting for an Engineer Cadet is as a Junior Engineer.

Established routes from other Sectors
Mechanic, general engineering experience

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
With experience and relevant study, an ETO can progress to senior rank, especially on large passenger vessels with very large electrical plant.

There are technician opportunities in the ports sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Specialised or management opportunities in a Power Plant.

There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring electro-technical experience.

Electrician

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
An electrician may specialise to progress to ETO.

There are technician opportunities in the ports sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring electrical experience.

Established routes from other sectors
General electrician

Support Staff/Ratings

DO NOT hold the Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence

Seaman Grade 1 (Able-bodied Seafarer, A.B., Bosun, Deck Chief Petty Officer, Senior Rating, General Purpose Rating, General Purpose Seafarer, G.P. )

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
An experienced Seaman Grade 1 could be promoted to a Senior Rating position by the company, and they would then have a supervisory role.

Significant sea experience will be an advantage in a number of support roles, including operation, safety and marine assistant.

Opportunities in marine leisure include commercial yachts.

Seagoing experience valued in ports industry eg in marine operations or in VTS Officer posts (with further training).

It is possible for Ratings to undertake officer training and apply for officer positions once they have certification and sea time.

G.P. may progress through either the deck or the engineering rating route. A GP's engineering experience may qualify them for a technician role in the port sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Technician role in a non-maritime sector (for G.P only).

Seaman Grade 2 (Ordinary Seafarer, O.S., Able-bodied Seafarer, A.B., General Purpose Rating, General Purpose Seafarer, G.P.)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
An experienced Seaman Grade 2 can progress to Seaman Grade 1.

Opportunities in marine leisure include commercial yachts.

Seagoing experience valued in ports industry eg in marine operations.

It is possible for Ratings to undertake officer training and apply for officer positions once they have certification and sea time.

A G.P. may progress through either the deck or the engineering rating route. A GP's engineering experience may qualify them for a technician role in the port sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Technician role in a non-maritime sector (for G.P. only).

Pumpman

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Technician opportunities in ports sector.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Technician opportunities in non-maritime sector.

Fire Service, Off-shore petroleum sector.

Fitter (Engineering Maintenance Fitter)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
It is possible for Ratings to undertake officer training and apply for officer positions once they have certification and sea time.

Motorman (Mechanic)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
May progress to senior engineering rating level, such as Fitter.

It is possible for Ratings to undertake officer training and apply for officer positions once they have certification and sea time.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Fire Service

General hand (Oiler, Wiper)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
May progress to senior engineering rating level, such as Fitter.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Fire Service

Cook (Ship's Cook, Chief Cook)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
With experience can progress to Chief Cook

Opportunities in other Sectors
Hotel, restaurant and catering sectors.

Steward

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Could work in Port Operations

Opportunities in other Sectors
Hotel work

Trainee Rating (Junior Ordinary Seafarer)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Seaman Grade 2

Staff sepcific toTugs

Tug Master (Tug Skipper)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Seagoing experience valued in ports industry eg in marine operations

Fleet Management

Opportunities in other Sectors
Other commercial vessels outside of the Merchant Navy

Tug Engineer

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

Tug Hand (Tug G.P, Tug Deckhand)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Seagoing experience valued in ports industry eg in marine operations.

Hospitality Staff Specific to Passenger Vessels

Cruise Director

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Member/Head of Corporate Entertainment for Cruise Company.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Non-maritime related sectors such as events management, entertainment, hospitality, marketing and tourism.

Chief Purser (Hotel Service Officer, HR Officer)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Other positions include Financial Controller and Corporate Purser (for a number of ships).
Financial management role.

Opportunities in other Sectors
As finance manager/director in hospitality sector. With an accounting qualification can work in a number of sectors.

Shore-based Ship Management

Fleet Operations;

Fleet Director (Commerical Director)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Chief Executive.

Ports Senior Management positions.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Logistics, business, management.

Logistics Co-ordination and Training - Fleet Personnel;

Personnel Manager (Human Resources Manager)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Personnel Director.

Related industries might include ports and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Personnel management positions in related sectors might include transport/distribution, hospitality and catering.

Training Manager (Head of Training)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Training Director.

Related industries might include ports and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Training management positions in related sectors might include manufacturing, engineering, transport/distribution, hospitality and catering.

Personnel Officer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Senior personnel officer or manager. Other opportunities include a sideways move to training.
Related industries might include ports and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Personnel officer positions in related sectors might include transport/distribution, hospitality and catering.

Training Officer

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Senior training officer or manager.
Opportunities in personnel.
Related industries might include ports and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Training officer positions in related sectors might include manufacturing, engineering, transport/distribution, hospitality and catering.

General Operations

Operations Manager (Safety Manager, Quality Manager)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Operations Director, Safety Director, Fleet Director

Related industries include ports and harbours and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Related sectors might include manufacturing, engineering and transport/distribution

Safety Officer (Quality Officer)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Senior Safety Officer, Safety Manager
Related industries include ports and harbours and marine leisure.

Opportunities in other Sectors
Related sectors might include manufacturing, engineering and transport/distribution

Marine Operations

Marine Superindendent

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Management opportunities, such as operations and safety.

Marine Technical Assistant

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Deputy Marine Superintendent,

Port Operations Manager, Port Operations Operative, Marina Operative.

Engineering Operations

Engineering Superindendent (Technical Superintendent)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Engineering management or director role.

Port engineer, Port Engineering manager, related engineering fields.

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

Assistant Engineering Superindendent (Assistant Technical Manager)

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Engineering Superintendent or Engineering Management role.

Port Engineering Supervisor.

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.

Engineering Technical Assistant

Opportunities in the Maritime Sector
Assistant Engineering Superintendent.

Port technician. Draughtsman/CAD technician, Marine craftsperson.

Opportunities in other Sectors
There are a wide variety of shore based industries requiring engineering experience.