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.
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Regulated occupation
Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3) needs a training provider who is approved by Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Apprenticeship location
stevenage, hertfordshire Remove location