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Watchkeeper Deck Officer

Working as a Watchkeeper Deck Officer you are responsible for navigation using electronic instruments. You are responsible for the maintenance of sea safety equipment, management of crew ,organisation of cargo loading and unloading, the supervision of mooring and unmooring, liaising between a ship’s captain and crew, and updating charts and the ship’s log.

Summary of Training

  • Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
  • Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
  • Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
  • Manoeuvre the ship
  • Maintain a safe navigational watch
  • Transmit and receive information by visual signalling
  • Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
  • Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)
  • Provide First Aid
  • Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
  • Apply leadership and team working capability
  • Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • Enter and work in confined spaces
  • Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

Job Pathways

This occupation fits generally with these groupings

Industry Group
Automotive, Transport & Maritime

Work Type
Analytic & Investigative
Conventional & Organising
Manual & Realistic

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 108

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Watchkeeper Deck Officer - MAR50320
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

36 mths
Part Time
Commencements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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