Employment Terms & Conditions
The Merchant Navy is not one company but encompasses many individual companies who between them own, operate or manage ships of every description, employed on a variety of trades and operations. There is no centrally determined set of terms and conditions and each company sets its own, including leave and pay, depending on its own operating circumstances
Leave as a Cadet
The leave rates for cadets are generally based on a ratio of three to one. That is, for every period spent at sea the cadet earns a third of that as leave. When this will actually be taken depends on a number of factors, including the total time spent at college in any particular year, and voyage lengths which vary between companies depending on operational requirements. The longest continuous period of duty on board ship will normally be about three months (but may be longer in some circumstances) and such a period would normally earn one months leave. Other companies have routine tours of duty of six weeks or less, earning leave proportionately. However, it must be emphasised whilst training a flexible approach must be adopted to both leave and voyage lengths to ensure completion of a training programme particularly with respect to scheduled college phases.
Pay as a Cadet and Training Costs
Cadets are normally paid throughout their training programmes whilst at sea or college, and on leave. Such pay averages in the region of £5,800 p.a. over the whole duration of the training programme, although normally trainees commence on less during the first year (in the region of £4,000 p.a.) but receive significantly more during the final year.
All college costs including tuition and examination fees, accommodation charges and most meal costs, shipboard living and meal costs, and authorized travel between home, ship and college, are paid. However, trainees are required to make a contribution to some meal costs whilst at college, and to the provision and upkeep of their uniform and study items such as drawing instruments and stationery.
Pay on Qualification
On successful completion of a cadet training programme and the award of an Officer of the Watch certificate of competency, a junior officer can expect to receive between £20,000 and £25,000 p.a. depending on company, ship type, and area of operation. Master and Chief Engineer salaries may range between £30,000 and £65,000 p.a., similarly depending on experience, qualifications, company, ship type, and area of operation.