Your Guide to Joining the Merchant Navy: Chart Your Course

Embark on a rewarding career journey in the Merchant Navy, an industry offering unique opportunities for travel, professional growth, and a life unlike any other. This guide, complemented by an exclusive video series from Scottish Television and Careersatsea.org, provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to become a seafarer...

What is the Merchant Navy? An Overview

The Merchant Navy encompasses civilian-operated ships that engage in trade and transportation worldwide. Unlike naval vessels, these ships focus on commercial activities...

Eligibility and Entry Requirements for the Merchant Navy

To join the Merchant Navy, certain criteria must be met. These typically include age requirements, nationality, medical fitness standards, and educational qualifications. Specific requirements can vary depending on the role you're pursuing...

Merchant Navy Training Programs: What to Expect

Aspiring seafarers will need to undergo specific training programs to gain the necessary skills and certifications. These programs can range from cadetships to specialized courses covering navigation, engineering, and safety procedures...

Life at Sea: Aboard a Merchant Vessel (Video Insights)

Get a firsthand look at the daily life on board a UK-registered Merchant Navy vessel through our exclusive video series:

  • Video 1: [Video Title] - This video follows new recruits as they embark on their first voyage, showcasing the initial challenges and experiences. [Brief summary of key points from the video]
  • Video 2: [Video Title] - Learn about the different roles on board, from deck officers responsible for navigation to engineers maintaining the ship's systems. [Brief summary]
  • ... (Continue for all videos)

Exploring Diverse Merchant Navy Career Paths

The Merchant Navy offers a wide array of career opportunities, including...

Salary and Benefits in the Merchant Navy

Salaries in the Merchant Navy can be competitive, and often include benefits such as accommodation, meals, and travel opportunities...

Taking the Next Steps to Join

Ready to start your journey? [Link to your job listings] Explore our current Merchant Navy job openings or [Link to registration] create a profile to connect with employers.

Embark on a rewarding career journey in the Merchant Navy, an industry offering unique opportunities for travel, professional growth, and a life unlike any other. This guide, complemented by an exclusive video series from Scottish Television and Careersatsea.org, provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to become a seafarer.

Episode 1: Life at Sea - Joining the UK Merchant Navy - Training and First Steps

​Discover the vital role of the UK Merchant Navy and meet aspiring seafarers as they begin their journey through rigorous training at nautical colleges. This video follows new recruits as they learn essential skills like firefighting and teamwork, and face crucial exams that will determine if they qualify for their first three-month voyage on a massive container ship. Experience their hopes, challenges, and the realities of preparing for a life at sea

Episode 2: Merchant Navy - First Days at Sea - Captain's Inspections & Panama Prep

Join the Merchant Navy trainees as they embark on their first sea voyage to Panama. Experience the strict routines under Captain Carter, including intense ship inspections and initial steering lessons in preparation for the challenging Panama Canal transit. Discover their first impressions of life aboard the massive container ship.

Episode 3 : Merchant Navy -  Conquering the Panama Canal - A Rookie Challenge

Witness the Merchant Navy trainees' crucial test as they navigate the massive container ship Gateshead through the narrow locks of the Panama Canal. Experience the tension on the bridge, the sheer scale of this engineering marvel, and the cadets' varying levels of responsibility during this pivotal stage of their voyage

Episode 4: Ventura's Maiden Arrival - New Cruise Ship Cadets Explore Life at Sea

Witness the grand arrival of the superliner Ventura in Southampton and follow the first steps of new Merchant Navy cadets as they board this floating village. From deck tours to cocktail parties, experience their initial awe and challenges of adapting to life on a massive cruise ship.

Episode 5: Race Against Time in Singapore -  Supertanker Refit Under Pressure

​Witness the intense 14-day overhaul of the supertanker British Progress in Singapore's busy shipyard. Follow the engineers and crew as they battle a tight deadline to complete essential maintenance before the ship must sail to Iraq, facing huge financial penalties for any delays.

Episode 6: Pirates & Perils - The Unseen Life of the Merchant Navy

The final episode reveals the constant dedication of Merchant Navy seafarers as they face the daily routines and potential dangers of life at sea. From navigating pirate-infested waters in the Malacca Straits to the looming anxieties of reaching a war zone in Iraq, witness the commitment required to keep global trade moving.