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Seafarer Deck Rating (Tug) Apprentice
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As an Able Seafarer Tug Deck Apprentice in our Marine Services team
You’ll build practical seamanship skills while contributing to safe, professional vessel operations in a safety-critical maritime environment. You’ll learn on the job, supported by experienced crew, while working towards a recognised maritime qualification.
Wage
£25,729.45 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course
Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2)
Hours
Full-Time/48 hours - including Sea phases and college-based learning
48 hours a week
Start date
Monday 14 September 2026
Duration
2 years
Positions available
4
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Learn and develop core seamanship skills as part of a professional deck team, supporting safe vessel operations
- Assist with lookout and basic watchkeeping duties under supervision in both routine and high-priority environments
- Support mooring, towing, and deck operations while building confidence in key maritime activities
- Carry out routine maintenance and housekeeping tasks to maintain vessel readiness and high standards
- Learn to safely operate deck equipment, including winches and lifting gear, in line with procedures
- Apply safety, security, and environmental practices within a highly regulated maritime environment
Where you'll work
HM Naval Base
Devonport
Plymouth
PL2 2BG
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
Training course
Seafarer (deck rating) (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Create/adapt access to/egress from the vessel that is needed for the situation, and within the limits of own responsibilities. For example, access to vehicle decks or walkways.
- Respond to all emergency and security situations on board in line with assigned duties.
- Assist with deployment and operations of emergency equipment applicable to the situation.
- Operate firefighting equipment appropriate to the situation and in accordance with procedures.
- Administer the right emergency first aid that is applicable to the situation.
- Assist with the safe handling of a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal and non-tidal conditions including in ports, locks and in the vicinity of obstructions and other fixed infrastructure.
- Assist with bridge look-out duties in line with organisational procedures whilst complying with industry regulations.
- Determine which deck operations to prioritise, to meet operational objectives, while maintaining safe practice.
- Maintain vessels in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and procedures. Assist with maintaining vessel machinery (including deck equipment) in full operational condition.
- Work as part of a team in order to achieve operational goals.
- Identify and follow organisational/industry procedures and working practices.
- Identify and report risks in accordance with own organisation’s procedures.
- Select the appropriate communication method needed for the situation and the audience.
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Execute anchoring procedure as instructed.
- Minimise risks to marine pollution within limits of own operational responsibilities.
- Create/adapt access to/egress from the vessel that is needed for the situation, and within the limits of own responsibilities. For example, access to vehicle decks or walkways.
- Respond to all emergency and security situations on board in line with assigned duties.
- Assist with deployment and operations of emergency equipment applicable to the situation.
- Operate firefighting equipment appropriate to the situation and in accordance with procedures.
- Administer the right emergency first aid that is applicable to the situation.
- Assist with the safe handling of a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal and non-tidal conditions including in ports, locks and in the vicinity of obstructions and other fixed infrastructure.
- Assist with bridge look-out duties in line with organisational procedures whilst complying with industry regulations.
- Determine which deck operations to prioritise, to meet operational objectives, while maintaining safe practice.
- Maintain vessels in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and procedures. Assist with maintaining vessel machinery (including deck equipment) in full operational condition.
- Work as part of a team in order to achieve operational goals.
- Identify and follow organisational/industry procedures and working practices.
- Identify and report risks in accordance with own organisation’s procedures.
- Select the appropriate communication method needed for the situation and the audience.
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Execute anchoring procedure as instructed.
- Minimise risks to marine pollution within limits of own operational responsibilities.
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Training schedule
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Attend North Kent College - Schedule to be confirmed
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade Level 4 - 9)
- Maths (grade Level - 4-9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
At Serco
Not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Seafarer (Deck Rating) Level 2
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041919.
Closes in 11 days (Friday 24 July 2026)
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