Container Ship at a dock during dusk

Level 6 Marine Surveyor Apprenticeship

Are you interested in being a Marine surveyor? or do you wish to be responsible for verifying the integrity and safety of ships? Then this could be the qualification for you. Through undertaking this Level 6 marine surveyor apprenticeship you will open yourself up to the technical world of marine life, and ensure help you to understand brand new industry standards.

Jobs available upon completion of the course

The study of marine surveying opens up a wealth of opportunities, and this is in thanks to the abundance of skills and breadth of knowledge you will curate during your time with the apprenticeship.

To begin with, you could become a Flag State Inspector. Flag State Inspectors are used by Flag States to ensure that the ships that fly their flags maintain satisfactory standards across their vessels. Responsibilities include examinations of the boat’s structure, machinery and equipment, while also upholding health and safety standards in the form of life-saving equipment. It is then your responsibility to recommend control measures, work that needs doing, and communicate this efficiently.

Alternatively, you could use the skills you pick up on this apprenticeship to undertake the role of a Marine Warranty Surveyor. Employment in this role consists of offering technical reviews and reports on machinery and operations to ensure that ships and equipment can be insured. This role is often independent of either the consumer or company and are not tasked to recommend work that needs to be done, they instead leave this up to the client’s digression.

These are just a couple that spring to mind, but you could also move into the role of ship classification surveyor, Class a3 surveyor, and of course a marine surveyor.

Entry Requirements

As this qualification is on a level with a degree, the entry requirements could be higher than a level 3 apprenticeship, but this is often up to the employer’s digression, rather than the training provider. Typically to enter this apprenticeship scheme the expectation is that you have an advanced level 3 qualification, and additional supporting experience working in a maritime environment.

One thing that is essential is at the end of the apprenticeship is the candidate in question should have as a minimum a level 2 standard qualification in Maths and English.  

Key Responsibilities of a Marine Surveyor

A ship called Petro Anica docked at a rig.

The key responsibility you will undertake as an apprentice Marine Surveyor involves planning surveys of a subject ship or machinery. You will have to assess the condition of vessels to ensure that everything is in keeping with maritime rules and health and safety standards. During this time it will be pivotal to record findings and create high-level reports to deliver to shareholders. Ultimately this will involve providing valuations of ships and a determination of whether a ship is safe to sail.

Away from your time assessing the ships, some of your key tasks will be to maintain appropriate knowledge of changing and adapting shipping standards, know the protocols, and be able to identify health and safety risks at any moment. In addition to this, you will need to liaise and converse effectively with ship owners, agents, insurance companies, and shipyards.

Competency and Assessment

While undertaking this apprenticeship you will have to create a portfolio of evidence, while also undertaking an end point assessment all of which will require the apprentice to showcase knowledge of the following; Survey planning and execution, Technical expertise – rules, regulation, and conventions, Technical expertise – engineering, Communication, Leadership and Management, and Health and safety.

See the full assessment brief here.

Conclusion

This apprenticeship is an excellent place to develop their career in the maritime industry. The skills required in this role will mould any learner into an ideal candidate for an abundance of role, while also giving you a degree along the way. And unlike other degrees you will learn while you earn money, letting you progress within both your personal and professional life.

For a look at other degree opportunities in the maritime industry, check our post showcasing the Level 6 Harbour Master Apprenticeship.