There are many opportunities for junior officers to progress their careers in the Merchant Navy both at sea and on-shore.
Deck Officer
Becoming Master of Your Own Vessel
The highest seagoing qualification is an unrestricted Master certificate of competency, which allows the holder to take command of any type or size of vessel operating anywhere in the world. However, after attaining an Officer of the Watch certificate an unrestricted Chief Mate certificate must first be attained before progressing to the Master certificate. The holder of a lower certificate may, in certain circumstances, serve as Master or Chief Mate on smaller ships, or vessels operating in more restricted areas, before gaining the higher unrestricted qualifications.
Engineer Officer
The highest seagoing qualification is an unrestricted Chief Engineer certificate of competency, which allows the holder to sail in this capacity on any type or size of vessel operating anywhere in the world. However, after attaining an Officer of the Watch certificate an unrestricted Second Engineer certificate must first be attained before progressing to the Chief Engineer certificate. The holder of a lower certificate may, in certain circumstances, serve as Chief Engineer or Second Engineer on smaller ships, or vessels operating in more restricted areas, before gaining the higher unrestricted qualifications.
Shore Based Opportunities
After working at sea in positions at various levels many seafarers go on to put their skills and experience to use in shore based occupations which need people with practical experience of working as an officer at sea. Examples include ship management and fleet operations, ship surveying, lecturing in nautical colleges, regulatory and classification authorities, shipbuilding, ship repair and equipment, marine insurance and finance, ship broking, maritime law, and offshore exploration