Seafarer Deck Rating Apprentice
SERCO LIMITED
Portsmouth (PO1 3LT)
Closes in 18 days (Friday 24 July 2026)
Posted on 6 July 2026
Contents
Summary
As an Able Seafarer Deck Apprentice in our Defence Marine Services team, you’ll undertake structured training and gain valuable sea service experience to achieve your Able Seafarer (Deck) qualification while supporting vessel operations. Your role will help ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of maritime services.
- Wage
-
£25,729.45 a year
- Training course
- Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2)
- Hours
-
Full-Time/48 hours - including Sea phases and college-based learning
48 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 14 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Work as a member of the deck department onboard assigned vessels.
Learn and perform bridge watchkeeping duties, including maintaining a lookout during day and night operations.
Support routine vessel maintenance and assist with the operation of deck equipment, mooring systems, and safety equipment.
Carry out housekeeping duties and help maintain high standards across vessel accommodation and shared areas.
Complete all apprenticeship training requirements and tasks within the Able Seafarer (Deck) Training Record Book.
Maintain the safety, security, and wellbeing of colleagues, the vessel, cargo, and the marine environment always.
Where you'll work
Semaphore Tower
H M Naval Base
Portsmouth
PO1 3LT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
Training course
Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Create/adapt access to/egress from the vessel that is needed for the situation, and within the limits of own responsibilities. For example, access to vehicle decks or walkways.
- Respond to all emergency and security situations on board in line with assigned duties.
- Assist with deployment and operations of emergency equipment applicable to the situation.
- Operate firefighting equipment appropriate to the situation and in accordance with procedures.
- Administer the right emergency first aid that is applicable to the situation.
- Assist with the safe handling of a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal and non-tidal conditions including in ports, locks and in the vicinity of obstructions and other fixed infrastructure.
- Assist with bridge look-out duties in line with organisational procedures whilst complying with industry regulations.
- Determine which deck operations to prioritise, to meet operational objectives, while maintaining safe practice.
- Maintain vessels in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and procedures. Assist with maintaining vessel machinery (including deck equipment) in full operational condition.
- Work as part of a team in order to achieve operational goals.
- Identify and follow organisational/industry procedures and working practices.
- Identify and report risks in accordance with own organisation’s procedures.
- Select the appropriate communication method needed for the situation and the audience.
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Execute anchoring procedure as instructed.
- Minimise risks to marine pollution within limits of own operational responsibilities.
- Create/adapt access to/egress from the vessel that is needed for the situation, and within the limits of own responsibilities. For example, access to vehicle decks or walkways.
- Respond to all emergency and security situations on board in line with assigned duties.
- Assist with deployment and operations of emergency equipment applicable to the situation.
- Operate firefighting equipment appropriate to the situation and in accordance with procedures.
- Administer the right emergency first aid that is applicable to the situation.
- Assist with the safe handling of a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal and non-tidal conditions including in ports, locks and in the vicinity of obstructions and other fixed infrastructure.
- Assist with bridge look-out duties in line with organisational procedures whilst complying with industry regulations.
- Determine which deck operations to prioritise, to meet operational objectives, while maintaining safe practice.
- Maintain vessels in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and procedures. Assist with maintaining vessel machinery (including deck equipment) in full operational condition.
- Work as part of a team in order to achieve operational goals.
- Identify and follow organisational/industry procedures and working practices.
- Identify and report risks in accordance with own organisation’s procedures.
- Select the appropriate communication method needed for the situation and the audience.
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Execute anchoring procedure as instructed.
- Minimise risks to marine pollution within limits of own operational responsibilities.
Training schedule
Attend North Kent College - Schedule to be confirmed
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Engish (grade Level 4-9)
- Maths (grade Level 4 - 9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
About this employer
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Level 2 Certificate Able Seafarer (Deck)
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040842.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Friday 24 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.