Merchant Navy Deck Officer Trainee Scheme
Phase 4 – Sea Service during which practical skills are acquired and MNTB training record book evidence is completed. Duration – about 50 weeks.
Phase 5 – College phase. MCA oral exam preparation and mandatory short courses, including NAEST Ops, GMDSS, Medical First Aid and Advanced Fire Fighting. Duration – about 14 weeks.
Phase 6 (additional/optional) – College phase. Delivery of HND (Adv Dip) Nautical Science programme. Duration – about 24 weeks.
Phase 1 – College phase covering STCW basic safety training (Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility) and delivery of a Level 3 Diploma in Shipping and Marine Operations. Duration – about 21 weeks.
Phase 2 – Sea Service during which the cadet collects evidence for their MNTB training record book. Duration – about 32 weeks.
Phase 3 – College phase during which the HNC (Adv Cert) Nautical Science is delivered and MCA SQA written exam preparation and examinations and MCA signals exam are taken. Duration – about 26 weeks.
The minimum entry qualifications for Diploma / Higher National courses are:
For the Higher National Certificate and Diploma the assessment is college based, with the MCA signals examination carried out in the college by approved MCA examiners.
The MCA SQA written examinations are externally moderated and are hosted within the college. The MCA oral examination is carried out by MCA surveyors.
Further periods of sea service and study lead to the award of the MCA Chief Mate Certificate of Competency and then Master Certificate of Competency qualifying the holder to serve as Master of a Merchant vessel.
You can also progress to shore-based careers in VTS and Marine Insurance etc.
If you join us as a cadet, you’ll be sponsored by a shipping company. Shipping companies recruit suitable candidates as potential deck officers. They will support you through your training and pay you a salary or allowance during the training period. A full list of shipping and training companies can be found on the MNTB and Careers at Sea websites.
Health: Candidates must be able to pass a medical examination (normal good health) and an eyesight test (colour and form)
Marine admin office details contact email / telephone number:
Lucy Howlett for deck cadet enquiries:
t: 0191 427 3695
Contact us for current course dates and fees.