Maritime Archives - ApprenticeTips.com

Jobs available upon completion of the course

The study of marine surveying opens up a wealth of opportunities, and this is in thanks to the abundance of skills and breadth of knowledge you will curate during your time with the apprenticeship.

To begin with, you could become a Flag State Inspector. Flag State Inspectors are used by Flag States to ensure that the ships that fly their flags maintain satisfactory standards across their vessels. Responsibilities include examinations of the boat’s structure, machinery and equipment, while also upholding health and safety standards in the form of life-saving equipment. It is then your responsibility to recommend control measures, work that needs doing, and communicate this efficiently.

Alternatively, you could use the skills you pick up on this apprenticeship to undertake the role of a Marine Warranty Surveyor. Employment in this role consists of offering technical reviews and reports on machinery and operations to ensure that ships and equipment can be insured. This role is often independent of either the consumer or company and are not tasked to recommend work that needs to be done, they instead leave this up to the client’s digression.

These are just a couple that spring to mind, but you could also move into the role of ship classification surveyor, Class a3 surveyor, and of course a marine surveyor.

Entry Requirements

As this qualification is on a level with a degree, the entry requirements could be higher than a level 3 apprenticeship, but this is often up to the employer’s digression, rather than the training provider. Typically to enter this apprenticeship scheme the expectation is that you have an advanced level 3 qualification, and additional supporting experience working in a maritime environment.

One thing that is essential is at the end of the apprenticeship is the candidate in question should have as a minimum a level 2 standard qualification in Maths and English.

Key Responsibilities of a Marine Surveyor

A ship called Petro Anica docked at a rig.

The key responsibility you will undertake as an apprentice Marine Surveyor involves planning surveys of a subject ship or machinery. You will have to assess the condition of vessels to ensure that everything is in keeping with maritime rules and health and safety standards. During this time it will be pivotal to record findings and create high-level reports to deliver to shareholders. Ultimately this will involve providing valuations of ships and a determination of whether a ship is safe to sail.

Away from your time assessing the ships, some of your key tasks will be to maintain appropriate knowledge of changing and adapting shipping standards, know the protocols, and be able to identify health and safety risks at any moment. In addition to this, you will need to liaise and converse effectively with ship owners, agents, insurance companies, and shipyards.

Competency and Assessment

While undertaking this apprenticeship you will have to create a portfolio of evidence, while also undertaking an end point assessment all of which will require the apprentice to showcase knowledge of the following; Survey planning and execution, Technical expertise – rules, regulation, and conventions, Technical expertise – engineering, Communication, Leadership and Management, and Health and safety.

See the full assessment brief here.

Conclusion

This apprenticeship is an excellent place to develop their career in the maritime industry. The skills required in this role will mould any learner into an ideal candidate for an abundance of role, while also giving you a degree along the way. And unlike other degrees you will learn while you earn money, letting you progress within both your personal and professional life.

For a look at other degree opportunities in the maritime industry, check our post showcasing the Level 6 Harbour Master Apprenticeship.

Do you have a keen interest in boats and maritime activities? Can you envision a career where you get to work on or with a range of spectacular sea vessels? Do you already possess some knowledge of rivers, seas, or waterways?

If yes, then a Level 3 Boatmaster apprenticeship should be the next step you take towards achieving your dreams of working in the maritime industry.

What are the entry requirements for a Level 3 Boatmaster Apprenticeship?

In order to apply for a Boatmaster apprenticeship, you will need to have achieved your Maths and English GCSE to at least a C, or 4, grade. If you do not have your Maths or English GCSE, there is a potential to achieve these throughout the apprenticeship, with the help of your tutors. You will also need your MCA’s ML5 medical which is a seafarer’s certificate that deems you as medically fit to help run and operate a sea vessel, as a captain or crew member. Your employer should pay for you to gain your ML5 after you have been hired as an apprentice with their company.

What are the Level 3 Boatmaster Apprenticeship occupational duties?

A Boatmaster apprenticeship covers a range of maritime practices on inland tidal and non-tidal waterways. This qualification will help you to secure employment on a tourist vessel or even a large freight ship; the possibilities are endless. The key responsibilities that a Boatmaster apprentice will have to oversee include:

Maintain and manage important areas and equipment, such as anchors, lifesaving apparatus, and gangways.
Create and implement a vessel management plan to ensure the boat is seaworthy.
Check important mechanical equipment, report on their performance and carry out minor repairs if needed.
Monitor the vessel’s safety management system and make sure it is up to date.
Take control of the vessel and make necessary adjustments in accordance with changes in weather or currents.
Carefully navigate the vessel through narrow waterways and around fixed structures, such as bridges.
Plan voyages with watch-keeping arrangements, including escape routes, maritime regulations, and local legislation.
Acquire and interpret weather forecast data and graphs to help plan safe voyages.
Understand and execute emergency procedures, including Fire, Man Overboard, Loss of Power, and Abandon Ship

Knowledge modules for the Boatmaster Apprenticeship

Your Level 3 Boatmaster apprenticeship will have a variety of knowledge and skills modules that have been designed to help you master the duties of a professional Boatmaster. The modules will be taught by your tutor and will assist you in your workplace by building on the everyday techniques you will learn throughout your employment. During your apprenticeship, you will learn the following knowledge and skills:

Onboard health and safety legislations and practices.
Knowledge and execution of skilled ropework.
Planning of navigation and passage using radar systems and weather reports.
Key knowledge of International Maritime Organisation Conventions.
Legislations relating to pollution, equality, diversity, and vessel construction.
Understanding of onboard communication systems and procedures.
Mooring and anchoring vessels with a range of propulsion systems.
Manoeuvring vessels through areas of high traffic.

The list above notes just some of the skills and knowledge you will learn as a Level 3 Boatmaster apprentice.

A luxury private motor yacht under way on tropical sea with bow wave.

What are the mandatory qualifications needed to complete a Level 3 Boatmaster Apprenticeship?

In order to complete your apprenticeship as a Level 3 Boatmaster, you will need to hold the following qualifications, to name just a few:

MSN 1853 Radar Endorsement.
SQA unit FA60 54 Vessel Rope Work, Anchoring and Mooring Operations.
STCW Elementary First Aid.
STCW Personal Survival Techniques.
RYA or MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence.
Non ECDIS (Non-Electronic Chart Display and Information System).

Summary

A Boatmaster Apprenticeship is a great way to start your career in the maritime industry, as it helps you gain indispensable knowledge and skills. The modules you will cover in your apprenticeship will teach you how to execute the core duties needed to help manage and maintain various sea vessels. A key benefit of starting an apprenticeship is that you will earn money while you expand your education. So, if you are ready to take the next steps toward a successful career as a Boatmaster, then find out more about the Level 3 Boatmaster Apprenticeship.

Level 6 Marine Surveyor Apprenticeship