Apprentice Seafarer (Deck Rating)
BRITANNIA AGGREGATES LIMITED
Kent (DA11 9BL)
Closes in 23 days (Wednesday 20 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 25 July 2025
Contents
Summary
Apprentice deck hand to work on the vessel ‘Britannia Beaver’. Rota is three weeks onboard/three weeks leave throughout the year. The ship is based in the UK, visiting south coast and Thames ports up to six times per week.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
- Training course
- Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2)
- Hours
-
Rota is three weeks onboard, three weeks leave, throughout the year including Christmas.
Shift pattern varies, working day will average 12 hours across your three-week trip. This may be divided up into parts depending on ship activities.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 15 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 9 months
- Positions available
-
1
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
Working in a team of three deck hands two of which are very experienced and keen to pass on their knowledge.
The role includes tying up and untying the vessel when she enters and leaves port, plus general duties around the vessel when she is in port or at sea.
The successful candidate will have their own cabin with toilet and shower room.
All meals are provided onboard.
Travel to and from the vessel is provided and paid for by the company.
Mess rooms have SKY TV and there is wifi onboard provided through the Starlink network. This is free to access.
Where you'll work
Lower Road
Northfleet
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 9BL
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
There will be some block attendance to North Kent College, Gravesend Campus during this Apprenticeship to complete the Mandatory Qualifications and to prepare you for the End Point Assessment.
The Mandatory qualification that you will be undertaking are:
- Award in Maritime Studies: Deck Rating
- Certificate in Maritime Studies: Able Seafarer (Deck)
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques
- STCW Basic Firefighting and Fire prevention
- STCW Elementary First Aid
- STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness
- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
- MNTB Entry into Enclosed Spaces
- MCA approved Steering Certificate
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Certificate
- Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
- MCA approved Navigational Watch Rating Certificate (including 2 months statutory qualifying sea service)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 4 / C or above)
- Mathematics (grade Grade 4 / C or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The role includes a significant amount of manual work and for each three-week period onboard involves a seven-day working week, which will include working at night depending on what time of day the ship berths or leaves port. You will work shifts throughout the period to ensure that you receive the required amount of rest time
About this employer
The Company owns and operates the £12 million 'A' class dredger, 'Britannia Beaver'. Custom built in Devon, the Beaver became operational in 1992 and is capable of dredging to a depth of 45 metres, and working some 360 days a year. The Beaver delivers sand and gravel to Brett-owned wharves in the South East of England, and in addition, delivers to other customers outside the Brett Group both in England and other EC countries; markets the Company is actively developing.
After this apprenticeship
- A full-time permanent job will be available on successful completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
John Eves
johneves@northkent.ac.uk
01322629400
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333964.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Wednesday 20 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
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