The Marine Society

Recruiting for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary takes place throughout the year for a wide variety of jobs as an officer or rating in a number of different professional specifications.

Candidates from 17 years old, school leavers, and university graduates are accepted.

To find out full details call 08456 07 55 55

Or you can visit the Royal Navy website at Royal Navy

The Merchant Navy is the generic term for the civilian shipping industry consisting of companies operating a wide variety of ships ranging from small tugs, coasters and ferries through to the large ocean going tankers, bulk carriers, container and cruise ships, and includes the entire offshore energy industry.

There is no central recruiting agency and it is necessary to approach individual shipping companies direct to obtain a sponsored training opportunity. For a list of addresses take a look at shipping companies.

Training is undertaken at two levels, officer cadets (both Deck (navigation) and engineer) and rating.

Opportunities exist for some trained Merchant Navy ratings to become officers at a later stage in their career.

Certain Royal Naval experience and qualifications can be accepted and contribute towards Merchant Navy qualifications.

Royal Navy personnel wishing to transfer to the Merchant Navy should, in the first instance, contact the Seafarers Standards Branch of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) - telephone 02380 329 100 to discuss their aspirations.

For a comprehensive and up to date review of the opportunities available at sea visit Careers At Sea or telephone 0800 085 0973


For profiles of serving seafarers and career pathways look at Maritime Skills Alliance

To take a fresh look at the sea with gee-whizz facts and stats browse Sea Vision