Apprenticeships

Maritime mechanical and electrical mechanic are employed in the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy.  The engineering knowledge and skills used in the role can be transferred to other entry level engineering roles in other industries.

Maritime mechanical and electrical mechanics work from engineering drawings, data and documentation in order to undertake the testing, fault diagnosis and maintenance of electrical, mechanical and fluid power equipment on ships and submarines. This can include propulsion machinery, weapons, sensors, reactors and auxiliary systems (such as water, air conditioning, electronic equipment including programmable logic controllers, power generation and distribution).

They have knowledge and expertise in the use of both common and specialist test equipment and hand/ machine tools and the use of a range of measuring and diagnostic equipment processes to ensure system / equipment performance meet the required specification. The Maritime mechanical and electrical mechanic must comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements and will be expected to work both individually and as part of a team.

Maritime mechanical and electrical mechanic will typically work in either the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer or Weapons Engineer, or the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Merchant Navy as a Motorman.  They will be responsible for completing daily rounds and checking machinery to ensure the ship remains operational. They will learn to maintain and operate some of the most cutting-edge equipment on the planet and become familiar with a variety of sophisticated mechanical systems.  They will form part of a team of Mechanics responsible to the Chief Engineer, for the maintenance and fault diagnosis of all the ships machinery and support systems.  They will use their natural aptitude for fixing things, on a massive scale. That might mean working on anything from a propulsion system to a water purifying plant.  They will be trained to be able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake.

Typical job titles would include Motorman/Motorhand, Mechanical Fitter, Engineer.

This occupation is found in a wide range of specialist vessels, both commercial and military, be it carrying cargo, equipment, passengers, or crew.
Seafarers are employed in both the Merchant Navy and the Royal Navy and the vessels they work on vary considerably in their size, type, and use. For instance, vessels might work in near coastal waters, such as certain ferries and patrol boats. Other vessels operate in deep sea waters around the world, such as container ships and aircraft carriers. Therefore, a seafarer’s responsibilities will vary between different vessels. Seafarers can expect to work varied shift patterns over a 24-hour rota, meaning night work is very common. Many will be expected to live on board their vessel for significant periods. Seafarers usually work as part of the navigational or deck teams on board their vessel.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the vessel arriving at its destination or meeting another objective (such as unloading cargo), in line with the requirements set out by the ship’s Master. Seafarers do this by carrying out a range of operations and checks on the vessel, which is often physically demanding. Their work is key to ensuring the
vessel meets its targets. Even during rest periods, a seafarer has a responsibility to respond as is appropriate during emergencies to ensure the safety of the vessel and those on board.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other crew a great deal. Seafarer’s can work alone but often need to work with other seafarers to complete tasks. Good communication within the team is therefore very important, but even more so because vessels are likely to include other seafarers from a range of different
nationalities, cultures, and languages.

Seafarers normally report to a supervisor on board their vessel. The seafarer works to instructions given to them by the supervising officer. Depending on the type of vessel, seafarer’s may also be expected to interact with passengers. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for contributing to the overall safe and effective operation of
the vessel. A seafarer carries out watchkeeping duties; maintaining the safety and security of the vessel, cargo, and personnel on board; and undertaking a range of practical seafarer tasks covering rope work, anchoring and mooring activities and operations. They must adhere to safe and environmentally responsible working practices and international regulations and will have a range of security duties. A seafarer must work safely in enclosed spaces and at heights and must respond to vessel emergencies; administer emergency first aid; carry out fire prevention and fire fighting duties; use survival techniques in the water; and operate survival craft and rescue boats.
Seafarer regulations are set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and are known as the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and are put into effect in the UK by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Passing this apprenticeship, including the mandatory qualifications and certification required, means the seafarer will be able to work on board any type and size of vessel in any part of the world. This Apprenticeship provides for full competency in the role of a seafarer (deck rating) occupation. Apprentices wanting to advance their career may also obtain an Able Seafarer (Deck) certificate from the MCA, so they can lawfully work at the Able Seafarer level onboard a vessel. This would require a further 12 months sea time and sits outside of the apprenticeship.
Career options are many and varied – depending on how a seafarer wants to specialise in future they will need to gain additional “endorsements” (certificates from the MCA) – such endorsements also sit outside this Apprenticeship.