How to become a marine and waterways transport operative
Official title: Marine and waterways transport operatives
Also called: Marine fireman, Marine operative, Marine electrician, Marine leg attendant, Tug hand, Boat hand, Deck hand, Motor man, Tug driver, Barge hand, Boat hirer, Launch man
Marine and waterways transport operatives supervise and carry out a variety of deck duties and operate and maintain engines, boilers and mechanical equipment on board ships, boats and other marine vessels.
Main tasks
- Ensures that necessary fuel supplies are on board and inspects engine, boilers and other mechanisms for correct functioning
- Removes and repairs or replaces damaged or worn parts of plant and machinery and ensures that engine and plant machinery are well lubricated
- Stows cargo, assists passengers to embark and disembark, watches for hazards and moors or casts off mooring ropes as required
- Steers ship, under the supervision of a duty officer, checks navigational aids and keeps bridge, wheel and chartroom clean and tidy
- Performs other deck duties, including servicing and maintaining deck gear and rigging, splicing wire and fibre ropes, greasing winches and derricks, opening up and battening down hatches, securing gangways and ladders and lowering and raising lifeboats
How to become one
There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Candidates are expected to pass a medical examination and have good eyesight. Training takes place at nautical college and lasts between 11-13 weeks.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Marina and boatyard operative (level 2). England. Typically 18 months. Skills England standard ST0592.
- Apprenticeship (England): Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2). England. Typically 18 months. Skills England standard ST0274.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £39,358 a year
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Questions people ask
How do I become a marine and waterways transport operative?
There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Candidates are expected to pass a medical examination and have good eyesight. Training takes place at nautical college and lasts between 11-13 weeks.
How much does a marine and waterways transport operative earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £39,358 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03