Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our dedicated careers website at www.careersatsea.org
Yes. You need to pass an ENG1 medical examination conducted by a doctor approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and there are also certain eyesight standards a candidate should meet. Colour blindness may not be a bar to joining, but it will be dependent on its nature and severity. When you apply to a shipping company as a trainee they will help you with the arrangements for your medical and eyesight test. The required eyesight test is available from local opticians.

Dyslexia is not a bar to you joining the Merchant Navy. However, the nature and severity of your dyslexia will be the deciding factor as to whether you would be able to achieve seafaring certification requirements. Depending on an Educational Psychologist report, extra time can be granted during examinations if required.

Further information is available from the MCA Seafarer Standards Branch on 02380 329231

There is no maximum entry age and all applicants will be considered on their merit. Applications and further enquiries should be made to individual companies – see above for the list of companies that provide sponsorship for officer education and training programmes.
Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) funding is available to recognised training providers that are registered with an organisation called MaTSU. Training providers are shipping companies and other sponsoring organisations offering MNTB approved and STCW courses. SMarT is also available to unemployed seafarers through the Merchant Navy Training Provider (MNTP). SMarT can only be claimed on behalf of UK and European Economic Area (EEA) citizens normally resident in the UK ( ie. that have been living in the UK for about a year at the time of original application). If you are a company seeking information about how to become a recognised training provider, please contact Sue Edwards at MaTSU on 0870 190 6111 for further information.

Miller Rayner
16 City Commerce Centre
Marsh Lane
Southampton
S014 3EW
Tel: 02380 333771

Baun & Co
14 Queen Street
Portsmouth
P01 3HL
Tel: 01705 822045

S.M. Bass & Co Manchester Ltd
1 Derby Street
Cheetham Hill
Manchester
M8 8QE

See the Chamber of Shipping website at www.ukchamberofshipping.com for seafarer numbers and other statistical information about the Merchant Navy and the UK shipping industry.

Contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen.

Anchor House
Cheviot Close
Parc Ty Glas
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF4 5JA
Tel: 02920 448800

Contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen

Anchor House
Cheviot Close
Parc Ty Glas
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF4 5JA
Tel: 02920 448800