Merchant Navy deck officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Merchant Navy deck officers look after the day-to-day running and navigation of ships, and take care of passengers and cargo.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.

Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

Read more about Merchant Navy deck officer

Merchant Navy deck officers typically work around 52 to 54 hours per week.

As a Merchant Navy deck officer you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

This occupation tends to be:

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely

Read more about Merchant Navy deck officer

* from ONETonline

Average salary
55,096 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average salary for Merchant Navy deck officer

55,096 GBP

Average salary for full-time Merchant Navy deck officer

Showing:

55,096 GBP
55,096 GBP

Salary over time for Merchant Navy deck officer

Pay for this role has increased slightly over time

40,588 GBP
38,434 GBP
42,435 GBP
45,071 GBP
45,498 GBP
55,096 GBP
55,622 GBP

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Future outlook for Merchant Navy deck officers

Very good outlook

5% yearly wage growth (on average)

Very good outlook

33% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Merchant Navy deck officer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma
% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications

You can join the Merchant Navy from age 16 onwards as an officer cadet or marine apprentice and train on the job.

You will also usually need to find a sponsoring company to put you through initial training.

You'll need:

the ability to work well with others
sensitivity and understanding
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to use your initiative
excellent verbal communication skills
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
observation and recording skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Merchant Navy deck officer

Maritime Law

Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

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Merchant Navy deck officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

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Future outlook for Merchant Navy deck officers

Merchant Navy deck officer - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Merchant Navy deck officer interview

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