Merchant Navy ratings are crew members who help to run a ship above and below deck. They work aboard container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, tugs, cruise liners and ferries.

Ratings fall into three groups: deck, engine room and catering.

Deck ratings are part of a team that operates and maintains the deck equipment and machinery. Duties can include:

• inspecting and cleaning holds, tanks, cranes and winches
• loading and unloading cargo
• repairing and painting the ship's structure, fixtures and fittings
• checking fire-fighting and life saving equipment. 

They also assist deck officers with navigational and watch duties, and help moor the ship when coming into port.

Engine room ratings work with engineering officers, running and servicing the ship's engines and power generators. They carry out routine mechanical and electrical maintenance, clean, grease and oil machinery, monitor controls and regularly check safety equipment. In port, they help refuel the vessel. 

In the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) - civilian-crewed ships that are operated by the Ministry of Defence - ratings serve on the flight deck during helicopter operations and help with refuelling. The train in nuclear, biological and chemical defence measures, and weapons handling and repair. They also help operate the ship's radio and satellite communications systems.

Catering ratings perform duties similar to those found in the hotel trade. Some work as cooks, based in the ship's galley (kitchen), preparing and cooking food and looking after food stores. They also clean equipment and work areas. Others work as stewards, setting tables, serving food and drink, and cleaning cabins, corridors and public areas on passenger ships. In port, they re-stock supplies.

Hours and Environment

Merchant Navy vessels operate continuously. Ratings work shifts, known as 'watches', which vary according to the size of the ship. On a large vessel, ratings may work four hours on duty followed by eight hours off duty.

Ratings spend a lot of time at sea and can travel all over the world. Time spent at sea varies from a few days or weeks to several months, depending on the type of ship and its trading patterns. Periods of leave between voyages also vary. 

Deck ratings work on deck and on the bridge. They have to work in all weather conditions. Ratings in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary sometimes have to work in combat zones.

Engineering ratings work below deck in the engine rooms, where conditions can be hot and noisy; and catering ratings also work below deck in the kitchens, restaurant and cabin areas.

Ratings' accommodation depends on the size of ship; on larger ships, they may have access to leisure facilities.

Skills and Interests

To be a Merchant Navy rating, you should:

• be able to work in a team
• be able to take responsibility
• be able to show initiative and maturity when required to work unsupervised
• be good at practical work
• be able to operate technical equipment
• be physically fit
• be aware of health and safety issues 
• be able to cope with being away from family and friends, often for months at a time.

Entry

You must approach shipping companies or the RFA directly for recruitment opportunities. If successful, they will sponsor you through a training programme. The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in Further Information has a list of organisations currently providing sponsorship.

Most companies recruit trainees between the ages of 16 and 22 but older entrants with relevant qualifications and experience may be considered, for example, chefs, engineers, people with a background in freight handing or those with navigation qualifications.   

Most sponsoring companies look for three to four GCSEs (A-D)/S grades (1-4) in subjects such as English, maths and physics (or combined science) or equivalent qualifications.

All of the contacts in Further Information have details about careers and entry routes. Please see below.

Training

Your training combines onshore college-based study with sea-going placements to gain practical experience of working on a ship. The length of the training varies widely depending on the sponsorship company and your chosen area.

You can work towards NVQ/SVQ in Marine Vessel Support Level 2. You then follow your chosen pathway as a deck or engineering rating. Deck ratings also study for the Efficient Deck Hand Certificate. Catering ratings can follow NVQ/SVQ qualifications in hospitality and catering.

You can apply for further study to enter officer training. You can use the NVQ/SVQ Marine Vessel Operations or NVQ/SVQ Marine Engineering Operations, both at Level 3, as a way onto the officer training programme. For officer training, see the profiles for Merchant Navy Deck / Engineering Officer.

For more information about training, see the MNTB, Marine Society & Sea Cadets and Career at Sea websites below.

Opportunities

There are around 11,500 ratings currently employed in the Merchant Navy. Opportunities to train as a rating are limited, with the exception of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and several commercial shipping companies who train their own ratings. You can obtain a list of these companies from the Merchant Navy Training Board.

Promotion depends on length of service, experience and qualifications, with progression to the ranks of leading hand, petty officer and chief petty officer.

With the necessary skills and experience, further training can lead to the junior officer ranks and above. See the profiles for Merchant Navy Deck / Engineering Officer. Ratings can also use their skills to move to onshore engineering or hospitality and catering roles. 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee ratings receive a small salary plus all college and living costs.
Experienced ratings earn between £19,000 and £22,000 a year.

Many companies pay salaries that include the average overtime worked, food and accommodation whilst at sea, and travel costs when appropriate.

Further information

DNR RFA Recruitment
Room 122
Victory Building
HM Naval Base Portsmouth
PO1 3LS
Tel: 0845 604 0520 202 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7JW
Tel: 020 754 7000 Carthusian Court
12 Carthusian St
London
EC1M 6EZ
Tel: 0800 085 0973