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L2Apprenticeship341 approved provider
The Level 2 Seafarer (deck rating), and the 1 provider delivering it.
Working as part of the navigation department on ships and other vessels, keeping watch and maintaining safety and security, and carrying out a range of practical tasks.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Deck ratings work as part of the navigational or deck team, supporting the safe and effective operation of a vessel. The apprenticeship trains people in watchkeeping duties, mooring and anchoring operations, rope work, and cargo handling. It also covers emergency response, including fire prevention and fire-fighting, emergency first aid, survival techniques, and the operation of survival craft and rescue boats. Training meets International Maritime Organisation (IMO) STCW requirements, certified through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, meaning completers can legally work on any vessel type, in any waters worldwide.
Day-to-day responsibilities
A typical week involves standing watches, carrying out safety and security checks across the vessel, and completing practical deck tasks such as mooring, line handling, and maintenance work. Night shifts are normal, and living aboard for extended periods is common. Apprentices work under a supervising officer and alongside crew members who may speak different first languages, so clear communication is essential. On passenger vessels, some crew interaction with the public is expected. Emergency drills and procedures form a regular part of the routine throughout the apprenticeship.
Career outlook
After completing this apprenticeship, typical job titles include deck rating, ordinary seaman, deckhand, and efficient deckhand. With a further 12 months of sea time, completers can apply for the MCA Able Seafarer (Deck) certificate, which opens roles at a higher level of responsibility aboard. Employers span the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy, covering container ships, ferries, offshore support vessels, patrol boats, and passenger cruise ships. From there, seafarers who want to progress towards officer grades can pursue additional MCA endorsements and further qualifications.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Employer: 4.0
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) offers a wide range of technical and professional education o...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
On completing this apprenticeship, graduates typically take up positions as Ordinary Seaman or Deck Rating aboard merchant vessels, ferries, offshore support ships, or naval vessels. With the additional 12 months of sea time required outside the apprenticeship, progression to Able Seafarer (Deck) becomes available, unlocking work across a wider range of vessel types and trading areas. The MCA certification gained means these roles can be taken up on vessels operating anywhere in the world.
Progression paths
After two to three years at sea, many Able Seafarers work towards Efficient Deckhand certification and begin accumulating the sea time and MCA endorsements needed to move into officer training. From there, the typical track leads through Officer of the Watch, Chief Officer, and ultimately Master Mariner. A deep-specialist alternative exists in areas such as dynamic positioning, rescue and emergency response, or offshore operations, each requiring specific MCA endorsements built on top of the base certificate.
Where these roles sit
The main hiring sectors are the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, ferry operators running domestic and short-sea routes, and offshore energy support vessels working in the North Sea and beyond. Port and harbour authorities, towage companies, and dredging operators also recruit at this level. Employers range from large international shipping companies to smaller domestic operators, with roles split across commercial and public sector organisations.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Training takes place on the job, with apprentices building competence in deck operations, watchkeeping, safety procedures, and vessel handling while working at sea. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check, often called the gateway, confirming they have met the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours for the role. Because seafarer training is governed internationally by STCW regulations and domestically by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the standard also incorporates mandatory MCA certifications alongside the apprenticeship framework. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Keeping thorough records throughout the apprenticeship matters far more than trying to gather evidence at the end. Apprentices should document watchkeeping duties, safety drills, mooring and anchoring work, and emergency response exercises as they complete them. Working closely with the supervising officer on board and the training provider to track progress against the MCA certification requirements will help avoid delays at the gateway. Given the nature of sea-going schedules, planning record-keeping around vessel rotations and shore leave is worth doing early in the programme.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Providers delivering this standard must be approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, so confirm that approval is current before looking at anything else. Beyond compliance, look for providers with strong links to employers in the sector, whether Merchant Navy operators, ferry companies, or defence contractors, because the sea time element depends heavily on vessel access. Achievement rates above 65% are worth taking seriously here given the physical demands and the mandatory STCW certification components. Apprentice satisfaction scores and reviews mentioning practical delivery, safety training quality, and support during periods on board are particularly useful signals.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with large cohort numbers but falling achievement rates, which can indicate stretched support and limited employer engagement. If a provider cannot clearly explain how sea time is arranged and monitored, that is a serious gap: this standard requires real vessel experience, not classroom simulation. Vague answers about STCW certification pathways, or providers who cannot point to alumni working on vessels post-completion, suggest the delivery may not meet the MCA's practical expectations. Also watch for providers covering regions far from navigable water with no credible vessel partnership to show for it.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How do you arrange and oversee the required sea time, and which vessel operators do you work with to provide it?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how does that compare to previous years?
- How do you support apprentices during extended periods living on board, particularly around welfare and off-the-job training access?
- Which STCW certification components are covered within the apprenticeship, and at what point in the programme do apprentices sit them?
- Can you provide examples of where apprentices from recent cohorts are now working, including the types of vessels and routes?
- How do you handle apprentices who fail a mandatory MCA certification element, and does that affect their programme timeline?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience do you need to start a deck rating apprenticeship?
There are no fixed national entry requirements set by the standard, so individual employers and training providers may set their own criteria. Applicants typically need a reasonable level of physical fitness, as the work is demanding and involves working at height and in confined spaces. Good communication skills matter too, given the multinational crew environments common on vessels. Employers should check with their chosen provider for specific entry conditions, including any medical or eyesight standards required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does training fit around the job?
The typical duration is 18 months. The apprentice is employed throughout and carries out training while working on board or at a training centre. Off-the-job training is a requirement of all apprenticeships, but the exact proportion is subject to revision under current Skills England reforms. Check the current specification on gov.uk for the latest figure. The apprentice must reach the gateway before moving to end-point assessment, which means demonstrating full competence in the role to their employer and training provider.
How is the apprenticeship assessed?
Before assessment, the apprentice must pass through the gateway, a point at which the employer and provider confirm the apprentice has the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required. Assessment models for many standards are currently being reviewed as part of Skills England reforms, so it is worth checking gov.uk for the current end-point assessment arrangements. The apprentice must also complete mandatory qualifications and certification set by the International Maritime Organisation and verified through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as part of the standard.
How does an employer pay for a deck rating apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £10,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from the apprenticeship levy or claimed through co-investment. Levy-paying employers (those with a payroll over £3 million) pay through their Digital Apprenticeship Service account. Smaller employers co-invest, typically paying 5 per cent of training costs with the government contributing the remainder. Employers with fewer than 50 employees who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing; the government funds the full cost.
What does a deck rating apprentice actually do during the working day?
Day-to-day work centres on keeping the vessel operating safely and on course. Typical tasks include watchkeeping, mooring and anchoring operations, rope work, and carrying out checks on cargo and equipment. Apprentices also have security duties, work in enclosed spaces and at height, and are expected to respond to emergencies even during rest periods. On passenger vessels, interaction with passengers is part of the role. Shift patterns run across a 24-hour rota, and extended periods living on board are common on many vessel types.
Where can a deck rating apprentice progress after completing the standard?
Completing the standard, including the mandatory STCW qualifications, means the seafarer can work on any vessel type or size anywhere in the world. To progress to Able Seafarer level, a further 12 months sea time is required to obtain the relevant MCA certificate, and this sits outside the apprenticeship. Beyond that, career development depends on the direction chosen. Deck officers, specialist roles, and command positions each require additional MCA endorsements and qualifications, giving a structured route upward through the maritime sector.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 34.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.