If you have an interest in ships, ports and the marine environment, then an apprenticeship as a Port Marine Operations Officer could be the perfect opportunity for you!
Continue reading to find out about what skills and experience you could gain if you took part in this Level 4 apprenticeship.
What does a Port Marine Operations Officer apprenticeship involve?
There are over 100 ports situated across the United Kingdom which employ around 118,000 people covering a range of different roles including; bulk cargo ports, marinas, passenger terminals and leisure.
A port marine operations team handles the safe travel of vessels in and out of ports. This team’s job is to ensure that this process is carried out safely and efficiently.
Typical activities that can occur in a Port Marine Operations team are:
- Berthing of vessels
- Port control and marine services
- Operation of harbours and marinas
- Conservancy
- Environmental protection
- Statutory compliance
- Operation of harbour marine craft
This occupation may involve working in a variety of environments as well as shift work.
A Level 4 apprenticeship as a Port Operations Officer is designed to give apprentices the opportunity to have hands-on learning working for a port operator. Apprentices will learn as they earn whilst they cover a range of tasks and activities. Apprentices will be given support throughout their learning journey and will gain industry approved qualifications upon the completion of their training.
Completing an apprenticeship will give learners life long skills and qualifications that will give them confidence as they enter the wider world of work.
What skills will an apprentice learn?
A Port Marine Operations Officer apprentice will learn a wealth of skills that include:
- Ability to manoeuvre, navigate and crew a range of marine craft
- Carry out marine craft operations like basic towage, personnel transfer and recovery, hydrographic surveying, etc.
- Ability to safely use emergency equipment
- Carrying out basic first aid work
- Safely mooring and unmooring vessels in all shapes and sizes
- Handling loads manually and mechanically
- Sea survival skills
- Engaging with colleagues and other relevant stakeholders across all activities to ensure a situation is successfully delivered
- Ability to use communications equipment such as a VHF radio
- Operating navigational systems such as satellite systems, radar, compasses and global navigation
- Can contribute to the protection of the marine environment
What knowledge will an apprentice gain?
The apprentice will also develop an understanding in the following areas:
- Vessel and shore-based electronic navigation systems
- Port-specific Information Technology systems
- Hydrographic survey
- Conservancy
- Dredging
- Routine maintenance of equipment and marine craft
- Management of vessel operations within harbours
- Marine meteorology
- Marine navigation
- Marine pilotage
- Manoeuvring systems such as propellers, thrusters, rudder, anchors, etc.
- Maritime emergency response
- Maritime law
- Port control operations and vessel traffic services
- Marine infrastructure such as jetties, quays, marinas
- Operations such as cargo, fishing, leisure, passenger, roll-on/roll-off
- Health, safety and security legislation
- International Ship and Port Facility Security Codes
What jobs could follow this apprenticeship?
Completing an apprenticeship as a Port Marine Operations Officer could lead to more senior roles within the port sector. Jobs that could follow include; Vessel Traffic Services, Port Management, Dock Masters, Berthing Masters, Assistant Harbour Master and Hydrographer.
How long is the apprenticeship?
Typically an apprenticeship in this area will require training that lasts at least 24 – 30 months.
What qualifications do I need?
Apprentices must have achieved at least a Level 2 in English and Maths prior to applying for this apprenticeship.
Requirements will vary between different employers, but because of the physical demands of the role, potential apprentices will require a certain level of physical health.
Apprenticeship Level: Level 4
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