Merchant Navy rating
Merchant Navy ratings support navigation, watchkeeping and engine room duties on board cargo and passenger ships.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a Merchant Navy rating, you could:
- help to moor vessels and load and unload cargo
- inspect and clean holds, tanks, cranes and winches
- repair and paint the ship's hull, fixtures and fittings
- test fire-fighting and life-saving equipment
- carry out routine mechanical and electrical maintenance
- monitor equipment controls
- prepare meals in the galley and serve food and drinks
- clean cabins, corridors and decks
- track stock and re-order supplies
Working environment
Your working environment may be at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear a uniform and safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
As your career progresses, you could move up through the Merchant Navy ranks to become a:
- senior deck rating
- petty officer
- chief petty officer
With the necessary skills and experience, you could take further training to become a deck officer or engineering officer.
You could also use your skills to move into onshore engineering, marine surveying, port management or shipping business services.
You'll find information and support for moving to onshore careers from the Marine Society.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- problem-solving skills
- observation and recording skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- complete basic sea safety training – STCW – at a centre approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- get a seafarer medical certificate
You may need a Certificate of Competency if you are a deck or engine room watch rating.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You could apply to do a sponsored apprenticeship with a shipping company, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or other small vessel and ferry operators.
Apprenticeships include:
- Seafarer (Deck Rating) Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Maritime Mechanical and Electrical Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Small Commercial Vessel Crew Member Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Your training will combine classroom study with placements at sea to get practical experience of working on a ship. The length of training depends on your sponsoring company.
Employers will expect you to have good practical skills, enthusiasm for the career and the potential to complete ratings training.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More Information
You can apply for jobs directly with shipping companies, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or small vessel operators, if you have qualifications and experience in:
- engineering
- freight handling
- navigation
Career tips
You can find work on all types of ships, including tankers, container ships, ferries, supply vessels and tugboats.
As well as deck and engine room roles, there may be opportunities to work in the hospitality and catering side of a ship’s operations.
Further information
You can find out more about working in the Merchant Navy through Careers at Sea and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.