Skip to main content

Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use this service. We use this information to make the service work as well as possible and improve this service.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find apprenticeship training for your apprentice

Beta This is a new service – your feedback will help us to improve it.

  1. Home
  2. Apprenticeship training courses
View shortlist
Apprenticeship training course

Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3)

Take charge of a vessel’s safety, security and navigation during operations both at sea and when in harbour.

Qualification level
3
Equivalent to A level.
Typical duration
36 months
Apprenticeship category
Transport and logistics
Maximum funding
£15,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training.
Also known as
  • Landing Craft Master
  • Mate
  • Officer Of the Watch
  • Second Officer
Skills
Skills an apprentice will learn
  • Keep watch over the vessel and crew.
  • Co-ordinate your team in order to provide constant watch cover.
  • Manoeuvre a vessel in near-coastal waters, taking account of compliance requirements, vessel type, capability, loading and external factors like tide and weather.
  • Select a mooring or anchoring solution that is relevant to the circumstances, including compliance, vessel type, capability, loading and external factors like tide and weather.
  • Avoid collisions by using chart work and situational awareness, anticipating and responding to all potential threats to a safe navigation. This includes (but is not limited to) both the physical surroundings and other vessel traffic.
  • Perform calculations and give necessary direction to your team to ensure the vessel has suitable load stability. This applies both when the vessel is moored and also when at sea.
  • Create a passage plan that meets operational objectives, is safe and complaint and has due regard to the external environment and other vessels.
  • Execute and adapt a passage plan taking account of the prevailing conditions at sea.
  • Handle a range of vessel types in near coastal waters. This may include as examples single screw, twin screw, variable pitch, Schottel and other propulsion configurations.
  • Monitor and respond to data provided by navigation and other equipment available on-board
  • Cross-compare different data sources to reach an accurate conclusion. (For example, VHF reports).
  • Support the Master in meeting the legal, regulatory, environmental, and organisational requirements of the vessel and crew.
  • Coordinate the response in the event of an emergency. Operate emergency equipment and deploy contingency plans appropriate to the situation. (This will range, for example, from recovery of a man overboard through to evacuation of the vessel).
  • Administer emergency first aid and coordinate with the coastguard in the event of a medevac if required.
  • Communicate externally deploying the international code of signals when required. This includes for example using the flag system and Morse code as appropriate to the circumstances.
  • Communicate effectively at different seniority levels of the organisation, selecting an appropriate communication method for the audience.
  • Develop working relationships with crew, officers and other impacted maritime stakeholders to support the delivery of required performance standards.
  • Recognise your own limitations and escalate decisions where appropriate to another member of the bridge team, including the Master
  • Take charge in the event of the Master's incapacitation and take suitable contingency action such as getting the vessel to shore and alerting relevant authorities.
  • Complete an accurate ship log
  • Identify skills gaps across the team and deliver coaching and mentoring to less experienced staff.
  • Identify and respond to all internal/external factors that provide for a consistent watch following a handover.
  • Check that life-saving appliances and other safety equipment is functioning and assess any remediation needed.
  • Identify the signs of crew, and one’s own, fatigue.
  • Implement own organisations security procedures, instructing the crew accordingly.

Full information on Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Find training providers for this course

Regulated occupation

Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3) needs a training provider who is approved by Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Apprenticeship location

Check if a provider can offer this training for the apprenticeship location.

Back to top View shortlist