Ship’s master – less than 500 gross tonnage near coastal

Level

Higher

Length

4 yrs

typical

Sector

Transport and logistics

Pay

Paid

you earn while training

In a nutshell

Take charge of a vessel's safety and navigation at sea and in harbour as the most senior rank on board a vessel. Make decisions about the safe navigation, collision avoidance and security of the vessel.

What you'd do

Plan and execute passages in near-coastal waters safely

Maintain a navigational watch and monitor vessel position

Brief crew on safety procedures and emergency drills

Oversee cargo loading, stowage, and securing operations

Communicate with port authorities and vessel traffic services

Monitor weather and make routing decisions accordingly

Ensure compliance with maritime safety and environmental rules

What you'd learn

Navigation and passage planning for near-coastal waters

Maritime law, regulations, and flag state requirements

Vessel stability, trim, and cargo handling principles

Search and rescue procedures and emergency management

Weather interpretation and routing decisions

Bridge watchkeeping and collision regulations (COLREGs)

Crew management, safety briefings, and leadership at sea

Ready to look for a place?

See live Ship’s master – less than 500 gross tonnage near coastal apprenticeship vacancies on the official government service.

Find vacancies

A Careermash concept · apprenticeship standard from our careers engine · vacancies via gov.uk.