Merchant Navy jobs... please help if you can
Discussion
I have been thinking recently about a pretty dramatic change in career and lifestyle, and with no real ties here in Dorset I could quite happily up and leave. I have been thinking about a Merchant Navy Cadetship (I'm 23) I really have no idea how to go about this, I have looked into it and there seems to be hundreds of different companies, but I don't know which ones to go for etc. If anyone here could help with where to look and salary expectations etc I would be grateful, thanks.
There are a lot of companies out there which offer full cadetships with (effectively) guaranteed employment after successful completion of your OOW ticket. First though, you really need to decide on what type of vessels you would like to work, and whether you would like to pursue the deck or engineering route. What is your background/qualifications? Different companies offer different 'perks', for example the RFA fly Officers first class everywhere (public sector 
), and cruise lines have girls!
Generally, training will take 3 years to reach OOW level, and starting salary for a 3rd Officer/Engineer will be c£25k, tax free if you are outside the UK for more than 183 days (6 months) of the year.
It is a good route to take, I was MN for 10 years before becoming a professional WAFI, travel, reasonable money, plenty time off, and not having to put up with the PC rubbish which seems to envelope every aspect of working ashore in the UK is a bonus.
), and cruise lines have girls!Generally, training will take 3 years to reach OOW level, and starting salary for a 3rd Officer/Engineer will be c£25k, tax free if you are outside the UK for more than 183 days (6 months) of the year.
It is a good route to take, I was MN for 10 years before becoming a professional WAFI, travel, reasonable money, plenty time off, and not having to put up with the PC rubbish which seems to envelope every aspect of working ashore in the UK is a bonus.
The biggest training companies in the UK are Clyde Marine Training and Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG). They pay your wages (terms and conditions vary over what they cover the cost of) and you are farmed out to a sponsoring company to do your sea time (at least 26 weeks for marine engineers, a year for deckies). Other companies (like Maersk) do run their own schemes, although employment is not guaranteed for any scheme (no Maersk cadets are getting taken on this year).
If you have a technical degree, you may get exemptions from some of the exams leading to your first certificate of competency. I'm on the graduate scheme with Clyde Marine, as they are the only company to run it (through Glasgow Nautical College). I'm exempt from the written exams, so I have to complete all the workshop classes, safety courses, sea time (and portfolio) and oral exam. Only bugger has been getting my sea time (6 weeks to go, should have been finished 3 months ago though). Hopefully I'll be done by the end of September.
As for money? It depends what sector you go into - most large ships you'll start off as a fourth engineer, although on smaller ships (e.g. offshore supply boats, ROV/dive boats, AHTS) you will probably start as a third, which will probably be a little bit higher (£30k ish in my company). Cruise ships pay less with longer trips, but have plenty of flange aboard, while superyachts pay a lot but with 10-11 month trips in many cases. As with any industry, there are pros and cons with each sector type.
Best advice would be to talk to these companies, find out what they can offer you - maybe even visit some of the nautical colleges (e.g. Glasgow, South Shields, Fleetwood, etc.) if they have open days?
EDIT: LD1Racing - WAFI? Wind Assisted F**king Idiot? Much call for engineers on them?
If you have a technical degree, you may get exemptions from some of the exams leading to your first certificate of competency. I'm on the graduate scheme with Clyde Marine, as they are the only company to run it (through Glasgow Nautical College). I'm exempt from the written exams, so I have to complete all the workshop classes, safety courses, sea time (and portfolio) and oral exam. Only bugger has been getting my sea time (6 weeks to go, should have been finished 3 months ago though). Hopefully I'll be done by the end of September.
As for money? It depends what sector you go into - most large ships you'll start off as a fourth engineer, although on smaller ships (e.g. offshore supply boats, ROV/dive boats, AHTS) you will probably start as a third, which will probably be a little bit higher (£30k ish in my company). Cruise ships pay less with longer trips, but have plenty of flange aboard, while superyachts pay a lot but with 10-11 month trips in many cases. As with any industry, there are pros and cons with each sector type.
Best advice would be to talk to these companies, find out what they can offer you - maybe even visit some of the nautical colleges (e.g. Glasgow, South Shields, Fleetwood, etc.) if they have open days?
EDIT: LD1Racing - WAFI? Wind Assisted F**king Idiot? Much call for engineers on them?
Edited by Taffer on Thursday 3rd June 13:47
Just a point of note, it's not an easy career on many ship types; expect to be away from home with few creature comforts for long periods of time, no alcohol on a lot of vessels now, little shore leave etc. Quite different to most shore jobs.
However, if you do go to sea, stick it out until you have gained either your Masters or Chief Engineers ticket, and ideally sail as Captain or Chief Engineer, then the world is your oyster.
I was at sea for 14 years to Captain and now have a nice life working in the City getting paid for what I know, not what I do!
However, if you do go to sea, stick it out until you have gained either your Masters or Chief Engineers ticket, and ideally sail as Captain or Chief Engineer, then the world is your oyster.
I was at sea for 14 years to Captain and now have a nice life working in the City getting paid for what I know, not what I do!
Good advice from both Taffer & Popeyed above.
The Merchant Navy Training Board website has lots of handy info:
http://www.careersatsea.org/
Some companies will tie you into work after, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on the ship you end up on.
I take SSTG cadets on my ships, although deck cadets only as engines not big enough for the engineer cadets seatime. Pretty good bunch on the whole, which reflects on the company. Had much worse from other training providers.
Loads of handy info on their site too.
http://www.sstg.org/
The Merchant Navy Training Board website has lots of handy info:
http://www.careersatsea.org/
Some companies will tie you into work after, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on the ship you end up on.
I take SSTG cadets on my ships, although deck cadets only as engines not big enough for the engineer cadets seatime. Pretty good bunch on the whole, which reflects on the company. Had much worse from other training providers.
Loads of handy info on their site too.
http://www.sstg.org/
Taffer said:
LD1Racing - WAFI? Wind Assisted F**king Idiot? Much call for engineers on them?
Employ 7 of them between my two sailing vessels Have a look at Carnival UK
http://www.pocruises.com/Careers/
They offer some good Cadetships. The best thing being an "Induction Cruise" to give you the chance to see if you like it!
http://www.pocruises.com/Careers/
They offer some good Cadetships. The best thing being an "Induction Cruise" to give you the chance to see if you like it!
There's also this forum, which is mostly cadets with a leavening of qualified officers.
Edited by hidetheelephants on Monday 2nd August 01:06
Hello, iam a currently sailing as a 2nd enginner on offshore vessels came through merchant navy as pretty typical i.e there after school etc and advice required i can try and help clyde marine were my sponsoring company they are not good but... they are the biggest
its a good career in my opinion weather you go deck side or engine-room is personal preferance, with deck side jobs ashore are limited but with engineering is excat opposite so even if you dont like the sea life you get decent qualifactions which are respected ashore due to the practical aspect.
i work time for time now i.e 5 weeks on 5 weeks off but have done 3 mnths away in the past so bear that in mind
any questions let me know
its a good career in my opinion weather you go deck side or engine-room is personal preferance, with deck side jobs ashore are limited but with engineering is excat opposite so even if you dont like the sea life you get decent qualifactions which are respected ashore due to the practical aspect.
i work time for time now i.e 5 weeks on 5 weeks off but have done 3 mnths away in the past so bear that in mind
any questions let me know
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