Maritime deckhand
Want to work at sea? As a maritime deckhand, you’ll play a vital role in the operation and maintenance of ships.
Also known as: fishing deckhand, offshore deckhand, superyacht deckhand, marine deckhand, deckhand , merchant navy rating
About the job
What it's like
As a maritime deckhand, you’ll help a ship sail smoothly. Depending on the type of ship you work on, you may maintain the vessel, handle cargo and deal with onboard safety.
Let’s imagine you’re working for an offshore wind project. You’ll travel on the ships that transport crew, equipment and supplies to wind turbines at sea. Every time the ship prepares to sail, you'll assist the crew and help move equipment. You'll also clean the ship and carry out safety checks between sailings.
Maritime deckhands are found on many types of ship. For example, you could work on a fishing vessel, cruise liner or cargo ship. Some luxurious superyachts even employ deckhands!
Working as a Merchant Navy rating
In the Merchant Navy, crew members such as deckhands are known as ratings. As a Merchant Navy rating, you’ll carry out practical, hands-on work on board a merchant ship.
There are three main types of Merchant Navy ratings, including:
deck rating – you’ll work on the deck, handle ropes and steer the ship
engine rating – you’ll assist with machinery and maintenance on board
catering rating – you’ll keep the crew well-fed, while making sure the quarters are clean and tidy
Your tasks might include:
checking ropes, winches and safety equipment for any issues
cleaning the deck and making sure all areas are tidy and safe
helping with mooring and anchoring when the ship docks or departs
doing checks on machinery, life rafts and firefighting equipment
identifying hazards and reporting any issues to senior crew members
loading and unloading cargo or supplies if the vessel is transporting goods
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Skills Development Scotland – Career Opportunities in Scotland across Offshore Wind
Careers at Sea – explore ratings apprenticeship opportunities with shipping companies
Merchant Navy Training Board – discover the shipping industry's body for sector-specific education, training and skills
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- managing resources
- concentrating
- observation
- positive attitude
- resilience
- attention to detail
- cooperating
- listening
- verbal communication
- taking initiative
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Engineering Science
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English
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Environmental Science
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Geography
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PE (Physical education)
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Skills for Work: Maritime Skills
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Practical Craft Skills
There are lots of ways to get into a career as a maritime deckhand or Merchant Navy rating.
Through work
Deckhands need certain qualifications and certificates. Luckily, many employers don’t expect you to have these if you’re applying for an entry-level role. They’ll often train you after you’ve been hired.
But there are a few things you can do to help your job application stand out. Studying at college, doing an apprenticeship or completing STCW Training can allow you to apply for more advanced deckhand positions.
Want to become a Merchant Navy rating? You can apply for trainee roles with shipping companies, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or small vessel operators. Applicants should have experience in an area such as engineering, freight handling or navigation.
You can use the My World of Work job search to find maritime deckhand or Merchant Navy rating vacancies.
Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship (MA) means you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
Check out this Maritime Occupations MA – the perfect way into a career as a deckhand. A Boat Building and Repair MA is also relevant if you’d like to become a deckhand.
To become a Merchant Navy rating, you can apply for sponsored apprenticeships through shipping companies, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or other small vessel and ferry operators.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you get into a maritime deckhand or Merchant Navy rating role. Studying Nautical Science is a great starting point for a career at sea.
Use the My World of Work course search to find HNCs or HNDs.
Having a basic grasp of other languages is beneficial. You may work with a multicultural crew, so this’ll help you communicate with them.
You may need to be at least 18 years old to apply for some maritime deckhand positions.
Want to become a Merchant Navy rating, but don’t meet the entry requirements for a trainee role or apprenticeship? A pre-cadetship is an introductory course that’ll help you build the skills you need. Find out what’s available on the My World of Work course search.
You must have a valid seafarer medical certificate to show you’re fit to work at sea. Most employers will help you get this as they’ll bring in a specialist doctor to assess you before you start work.
To become a maritime deckhand, you’ll need to complete STCW Basic Sea Safety Training. Many employers will put you through this training once they hire you.
If you’re a deckhand or engine room watch rating, you may need a Certificate of Competency.
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