We have provided a Help Guide below outlining the role of each rank on-board and the minimum entry requirements.
Master Mariners and Deck Officers 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.
Masters, also known as Captains, are in overall command of the ship and are responsible for the safety, efficiency and commercial feasibility of the ship. Their duties are navigational at sea, whilst in ports they are responsible for cargo operations. Working under the Master is the Chief Officer (Chief Mate), Second Officer (2nd Mate), Third Officer (3rd Mate) and Trainee Deck Cadet Officer.
Marine Engineers ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment on-board, including carrying out repairs, inspections and maintenance programmes of propulsion systems, refrigeration machinery, desk machinery and passenger systems. They also manage power, fuelling and distributions systems.
The Chief Engineering Officer is in charge of the engineering department and is responsible for working of all equipment on-board be it electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic. They supervise the work of the engine room and are assisted by a team of engineers including the Second Engineering Officer, Third Engineer, Junior Engineer and Trainee Engineering Officer/Cadet.
All must be valid, including those that previously had no expiry date.
It is becoming increasingly necessary that evidence of High Voltage Training be provided, either by means of a separate Training Certificate or by a Certificate of Competency issued after 01/01/2017 which does not include a “no High Voltage” endorsement.
Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs) are responsible for the maintenance and testing of all electrical equipment on-board ships, including engine room, bridge systems, refrigeration, and passenger areas. ETO’s play a particularly important role when working on cruise ships where they are required to manage all electrical equipment of the ship and passenger areas.
All must be valid including those that previously had no expiry date.
It is becoming increasingly necessary that Electro-Technical Officers hold also High Voltage Training.
An Able Seaman (AB) or Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) work as 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.
All must be valid including those that previously had no expiry date.
Motormen are responsible for day to day cleaning, repair and routine maintenance of the engine room on-board the ship.
All must be valid including those that previously had no expiry date.
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 / On-board Services Manager who is in charge of the Cooks and Stewards.
All must be valid including those that previously had no expiry date.
Cooks are responsible for preparing all meals for the crew and passengers on board the ship.
All must be valid including those that previously had no expiry date.
UK Ship’s Cooks Certificates issued under the Merchant Shipping (Certificate of Ships Cooks) Regulations 1981 (and any equivalent certificates under the same regulations, issued by UK establishments) may be issued with a UK (MLC 2006) Ship’s Cooks Certificate on completion of the following additional training:
It is an increasing requirement from many companies that some Ranks (and in some cases all Ranks) hold additional qualifications related to passenger services, these include;
Safety Training for Personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces A-V/2-2 – for all staff providing direct passenger service – to be certificated, but no need to revalidate; can be ship specific and done onboard
Crowd Management A-V/2-3 – for all staff designated on the Muster list to assist passengers – can be ship-specific and done on board; but must be certificated and refreshed every five years – either by course or by proof of relevant sea-service during previous 5 years
Crisis Management A-V/2-4 – for Masters, C/O’s, C/E’s, 2/E’s and all others designated on the Muster list as having responsibility for the safety of passengers – shore (or Company approved trainer) course required, certificated, with revalidation every 5 years – has to be shore refresher course, unless employing Companies are authorised to revalidate
Passenger safety, cargo safety, and hull integrity training A-V/2-5 – for all assigned immediate responsibility for loading and discharging passengers and cargo etc. on ro-ro vessels – can be ship-specific by Company approved trainer or shore course , certificated, with revalidation every 5 years
For more information about careers in the Merchant Navy visit Careers at Sea.
Information relating to CEC’s, Discharge Books and other helpful guides can be found on the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) website.
For more comprehensive information on certification please click here to view the latest from the MCA.
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