Merchant Navy Rating

Also known as:

Navy Seaman/Woman, Merchant Navy
Seaman/Woman, Merchant Navy

Introduction

Merchant navy ratings may work in the engine-room, on deck or in the galley (ship's kitchen). Their place of work dictates the nature of their duties, eg, generally cleaning and maintaining equipment, dealing with passengers, handling cargo, preparing food or waiting at tables, etc.

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Work Activities

There are three main types of rating: deck, engine room and catering. General-purpose ratings combine the duties of deck and motorman ratings. All ratings are fully trained in the use of survival and fire-fighting equipment in case of emergency.

Deck ratings assist deck officers in running the ship. This involves general maintenance including chipping, scaling and painting the ship's fabric. Ratings use a variety of hand and power tools to carry out repairs to furniture and fittings. Maintaining the ship's equipment involves making regular checks and carrying out maintenance duties and repairs. For example, ratings overhaul deck machinery and equipment, grease loading winches and check survival and fire-fighting equipment.

Deck ratings clean and prepare holds for cargo. They monitor loading and unloading, clean holds and check load quantities. Deck ratings also work on the bridge. They assist the officer of the watch with navigational duties and may act as lookout or steersman. During docking, they assist with mooring.

Engine room ratings carry out duties in the ship's engine department. They are responsible for checking and carrying out routine maintenance on the ship's engine and related equipment and machinery. This includes electrical equipment, control consoles, generators and pumping machines, as well as the main plant. Ratings take readings and check controls, oil and grease machinery, and operate equipment.

General maintenance involves sweeping and cleaning as well as preparing and painting the engine room areas.

Engine room ratings assist the engineer officer of the watch. Watchkeeping involves monitoring the safe running of the plant and related equipment. In port, they help with refuelling - checking pumping controls and fuel gauges.

Catering ratings are involved in providing food, drink and accommodation services on board. These services may be for the ship's crew, and, on ferries and liners, for passengers. Ratings specialise in carrying out duties as cooks or as stewards.

Cooks prepare food, for example, peeling vegetables, chopping meat and filleting fish. They also deal with frozen and prepared foods. Ratings must be able to cook for both large and small numbers using a variety of kitchen equipment and a whole range of cooking methods. In the galley, ratings are also responsible for washing up and cleaning all the equipment, work surfaces, walls and floors.

Steward duties involve waiting at tables. They set up tables, serve and clear away - this includes 'waiting on' at special receptions and functions as well as serving standard meals. Other steward duties include cleaning cabins and providing fresh linen. They also maintain the public areas like corridors, stairways and lounges.

While in dock, ratings may monitor the loading of supplies and arrange storage. Some ratings may work on short journeys like Channel crossings, but most spend long periods away from home.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need to be responsible and reliable, with the ability to work well without constant supervision. Some ratings have to spend long periods aboard ship in the company of a small crew comprising different nationalities.

All ratings have to be prepared to work in all types of weather conditions.

You need to like practical, physically active work, and should be flexible and able to undertake a variety of tasks. Good hand skills are required for all types of work.

Other specific qualities and skills vary according to the job. Deck and motorman ratings should enjoy using tools and equipment, and have an interest in maintaining machinery. Catering ratings should be well organised in their work.

Ratings require good health and fitness. Most ratings will be required to pass a medical examination.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salary rates for merchant navy ratings vary with the company. While at sea, you would have free accommodation and food as well as some transport costs. On long voyages, you may have tax-free earnings.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Ratings earn in the range of £17,500 - £26,000 a year, and some earn more depending on rank and responsibilities.

Merchant Navy ratings work shifts including weekends and nights. Ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Ratings work for shipping companies. These range from those operating passenger ships, like cruise liners and passenger ferries, to those who deal with freight (the majority).

Freight companies operate dry cargo ships, tankers, freezer ships, roll-on roll-off ships, container ships, and offshore supply and support vessels.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employs civilian crews to provide supply services for the Royal Navy.

Employment opportunities are relatively limited. The size of the British fleet has decreased in recent years and the remaining recruitment is carried out on a global basis. Technological developments also mean that fewer workers are needed.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Evidence of a commitment to a career at sea, for example, membership of a sea cadet group, is helpful for people applying to become ratings.

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New Developments

People working in this occupation are involved with the Maritime sector.