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Deck Officer

Do you dream of adventure and experiencing the world, while earning a good income and enjoying job security? As a Deck Officer, you can enjoy all this and more.

After completing your specialised education and training with the South Coast Institute of Technology, and achieving your Officer of the watch (OOW) or Certificate of Competency, you’ll be responsible for the navigation, operation and maintenance of a ship. You’ll make important decisions such as plotting the ship’s course, keeping watch of the ships progress, and ensuring the safety of the ship, cargo and crew.

You’ll start your journey as a third mate, gradually working your way up to second mate, chief mate, and eventually captain – the highest ranking officer and final authority on the ship.

Deck Officers salaries all depend on the rank but it’s worth noting that the average salary for a deck officer is about…

£

1000

32000
– £2,666 per month
ear
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The Pluses

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Adventure

Working at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people never have the opportunity to experience.

Accomplish

Working at sea can be physically and mentally demanding, but the satisfaction of a job well done can be very rewarding. 

Unique

The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.

Advance

There are many opportunities for career advancement in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience gained working at sea can be valuable for future job opportunities. .

Dream Team

Life at sea can foster a strong sense of community, as crew members work and live closely together for extended periods of time. 

Benefit

Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits, which can be a significant draw for those looking for financial stability.

The Pluses

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Benefits are Big Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits which suit those looking for financial stability.

Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits which suit those looking for financial stability.
So Many OptionsThere are a variety of opportunities available for Deck Officers, including the Royal Navy, the Coast Guard, passenger ferries, super yachts, cruise ships, container ships, gas tankers, and more.

There are a variety of opportunities available for Deck Officers, including the Royal Navy, the Coast Guard, passenger ferries, super yachts, cruise ships, container ships, gas tankers, and more.
No Debts with a CadetshipCadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies, so you won't finish your education with the burden of large student debts.

Cadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies, so you won't finish your education with the burden of large student debts.
Explore New PlacesWorking at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people may never have the opportunity to experience.

Working at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people may never have the opportunity to experience.
A Career like no Other The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.

The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.
Life Long LearningThere will be many opportunities to advance your career in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience you'll gain working at sea can be valuable for all kinds of future job opportunities.

There will be many opportunities to advance your career in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience you'll gain working at sea can be valuable for all kinds of future job opportunities.

The Pluses

There are so many reasons to become a Deck Officer, here are just a few plus points to take into account whilst making your decision.

Benefits are Big

Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits which suit those looking for financial stability.

So Many Options

There are a variety of opportunities available for Deck Officers, including the Royal Navy, the Coast Guard, passenger ferries, super yachts, cruise ships, container ships, gas tankers, and more.

No Debts with a Cadetship

Cadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies, so you won't finish your education with the burden of large student debts.

Explore New Places

Working at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people may never have the opportunity to experience.

A Career like no Other

The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.

Life Long Learning

There will be many opportunities to advance your career in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience you'll gain working at sea can be valuable for all kinds of future job opportunities.

Benefits are Big Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits which suit those looking for financial stability.

Many careers at sea offer competitive salaries, health insurance, and other benefits which suit those looking for financial stability.
So Many OptionsThere are a variety of opportunities available for Deck Officers, including the Royal Navy, the Coast Guard, passenger ferries, super yachts, cruise ships, container ships, gas tankers, and more.

There are a variety of opportunities available for Deck Officers, including the Royal Navy, the Coast Guard, passenger ferries, super yachts, cruise ships, container ships, gas tankers, and more.
No Debts with a CadetshipCadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies, so you won't finish your education with the burden of large student debts.

Cadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies, so you won't finish your education with the burden of large student debts.
Explore New PlacesWorking at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people may never have the opportunity to experience.

Working at sea offers a chance to travel and see the world, visiting ports and destinations that many people may never have the opportunity to experience.
A Career like no Other The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.

The dynamic and ever-changing environment at sea can be both challenging and exciting, and offers a unique work experience that sets it apart from traditional land-based careers.
Life Long LearningThere will be many opportunities to advance your career in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience you'll gain working at sea can be valuable for all kinds of future job opportunities.

There will be many opportunities to advance your career in the maritime industry, and the skills and experience you'll gain working at sea can be valuable for all kinds of future job opportunities.

There are so many reasons to become a Deck Officer, here are just a few plus points to take into account whilst making your decision.

Becoming a Deck Officer

To become a Deck Officer, you should complete GCSEs in Maths, English, Geography, and Science. You can then study either a pre-cadet course or a uniformed services course that will give you the knowledge and skills required to launch a career at sea. Before you go to sea you need to complete the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Basic Training Certificate. Then you can enrol on a fully sponsored three year officer cadet training programme that involves academic and practical training at University, alongside hands on training at sea. By the end of the course you’ll gain a Foundation Degree or an HND and a Certificate of Competency as an Officer of the Watch.

If you’re unsure what level you should be applying for you can find out more how all of the levels compare here

How do I start bullets

Unlock your maritime talent on a taught course at Fareham, Brockenhurst Colleges and Solent University.
A good route into these careers is through a pre cadet programme. We offer these at Brockenhurst and Fareham College. Then go to Solent University for career pathways into the merchant navy and yacht industry.

Your Journey to Becoming a Deck Officer

Navigation and Communication at sea
You’ll learn all the principles of navigation, including chart work, dead reckoning, and the use of navigation instruments, alongside the conditions and forces that affect ships at sea, such as winds, currents, and waves.
Seamanship and Operations
You’ll cover everything you need to know about safety and regulations, you'll learn about emergency procedures, firefighting and survival at sea, as well as the rules that govern the maritime industry. You'll gain the practical skills required for working on a ship, such as handling lines, mooring and anchoring.
Leadership and Management
Leadership and management are imperative in this job, so you'll gain communication, teamwork, problem solving and decision-making skills, as well as vital management skills including cargo operations, maintenance, and budgeting.

How Do I Start?

To become a Deck Officer, you should complete GCSEs in Maths, English, Geography, and Science. You can then study either a pre-cadet course or a uniformed services course that will give you the knowledge and skills required to launch a career at sea. Before you go to sea you need to complete the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Basic Training Certificate. Then you can enrol on a fully sponsored three year officer cadet training programme that involves academic and practical training at University, alongside hands on training at sea. By the end of the course you’ll gain a Foundation Degree or an HND and a Certificate of Competency as an Officer of the Watch.

If you’re unsure what level you should be applying for you can find out more how all of the levels compare here

Level 2

Pre-cadetship for the Merchant Navy Diploma

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Public Services Level 2 Diploma

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Maritime Defence Level 2 Diploma

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Uniformed Public & Defence Services

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Level 3

Pre-cadetship for the Merchant Navy Level 3 Diploma

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Uniformed Protective Services Level 3 Extended Diploma

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Public Services (Uniformed) Level 3 Diploma

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Maritime Defence Level 3 Diploma

- Start date 2024

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Uniformed Public & Defence Services NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma

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Maritime Introductory Programme Level 3

Course details to be confirmed - please check later

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Uniformed services Level 3 Diploma

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Nautical Science (Pre Cadet entry course)

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Level 4/5

HND Nautical Science - Includes Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch

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Fdsc Nautical Science - Includes Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch

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Level 4-6

BSc Nautical Science - Includes Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch

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Level 6 Top Up

BSc (Hons) Maritime Sciences (Top-up)

Applicants must have a professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch

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BSc (Hons) Maritime Management (Top-Up)

Applicants must have a professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch

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Chief mate / Master professional course (Post cadetship route)

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Level 7

MSc Shipping Operations

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MSc International Maritime Business

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MSc International Shipping and Logistics

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