Boatmaster Apprenticeship
Transport for London
London, SE1 8JZ
Closes in 12 days (Friday 7 March)
Posted on 18 February 2025
Contents
Summary
The 2-year Boatmaster Level 3 Apprenticeship covers a wide range of commercial activity on inland tidal and non-tidal waterways in the UK. Boatmasters often navigate vessels through busy and highly challenging waterways. Career opportunities are extensive - for instance, a Boatmaster could be the captain of a single vessel passenger boat.
- Wage
- £25,294 a year
- Training course
- Boatmaster (level 3)
- Hours
-
Shift work with days and shifts to be confirmed.
Block Training 1– 2 weeks outside London for the course of Apprenticeship
35 hours a week
- Possible start date
-
Monday 8 September
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
3
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
You will gain the following knowledge; onboard health and safety law, good knowledge and maintenance of ropework, access and lifting gear, seamanship, navigation and passage planning including radar usage, anchoring, knowledge of International Maritime Organisation Conventions, company bridge procedures, emergency regulations, all aspects of ship manoeuvrability, propulsion, steering and obstacles (locks, docks and bridges) including tides and poor weather. Onboard communication systems and methods, legislation of vessel construction and operation, maintenance of deck machinery and factors that affect seaworthiness.General engineering practice and procedures and pollution legislation. Also included is equality and diversity legislation, plus awareness of the employer’s business objectives to ensure that the vessel contributes to the business.
Where you’ll work
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8JZ
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
SEAREGS TRAINING LTD
Your training course
Boatmaster (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
- Take responsibility for the preparation of the vessel prior to going to sea including safe means of access to and egress from the boat and Life saving and fire fighting equipment checks.
- Respond and manage all emergency situations on board including the operation of emergency equipment coordination with the coastguard and other vessels (Sarco) and the liaison with DP and third party organisations.
- Handle a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal or non-tidal conditions including in locks and in the vicinity of weirs, bridges and other fixed infrastructure.
- Manoeuvre vessels safely with a variety of propulsion systems including single screw, twin screw, variable pitch, Schottel and other propulsion configurations
- Ensure vessels are operated and remain in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and company procedures. Maintain machinery including main engines, deck equipment and lifesaving and firefighting equipment in full operational condition.
- Uses information and digital technology within own organisation. Complies with GDPR and Cyber Security Regulations and policies.
- Apply team working principles.
- Comply with International, National and local regulations, and health and safety regulations, standards and guidance
- Build, manage and lead your team onboard, developing work relationships and performance management skills.
- Uses verbal communication techniques both at sea and onshore, adapting style and use of terminology to suit the audience.
- Lead procedures including planning and communications in the event of an emergency situation.
- Able to manoeuvre a vessel in all conditions to respond to all types of emergency (e.g. man overboard).
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Select a suitable anchorage and executing the procedure as required. To use an anchor(s) to aid in manoeuvring.
- Prepare for meteorological impacts affecting the safe management and passage of a commercial vessel.
- Navigate shallow and height restrictive navigations using knowledge of depths, air drafts, vessel dimensions and tide predictions in tidal waters.
- Offer emergency assistance to help another vessel running into danger. To arrange an emergency tow or offer some powered assistance to reach safety.
- Adjusts appropriately the passage plan of the vessel under their command, taking account of safety, time and business objectives.
- Take charge of navigational watch, be able to establish risk of collision and take effective action to avoid collision.
- Monitors business objective considerations and commercial issues, adjusting actions accordingly.
- Take responsibility for the preparation of the vessel prior to going to sea including safe means of access to and egress from the boat and Life saving and fire fighting equipment checks.
- Respond and manage all emergency situations on board including the operation of emergency equipment coordination with the coastguard and other vessels (Sarco) and the liaison with DP and third party organisations.
- Handle a vessel in a high traffic density environment in tidal or non-tidal conditions including in locks and in the vicinity of weirs, bridges and other fixed infrastructure.
- Manoeuvre vessels safely with a variety of propulsion systems including single screw, twin screw, variable pitch, Schottel and other propulsion configurations
- Ensure vessels are operated and remain in a safe and seaworthy condition in accordance with regulations and company procedures. Maintain machinery including main engines, deck equipment and lifesaving and firefighting equipment in full operational condition.
- Uses information and digital technology within own organisation. Complies with GDPR and Cyber Security Regulations and policies.
- Apply team working principles.
- Comply with International, National and local regulations, and health and safety regulations, standards and guidance
- Build, manage and lead your team onboard, developing work relationships and performance management skills.
- Uses verbal communication techniques both at sea and onshore, adapting style and use of terminology to suit the audience.
- Lead procedures including planning and communications in the event of an emergency situation.
- Able to manoeuvre a vessel in all conditions to respond to all types of emergency (e.g. man overboard).
- Use appropriate mooring configurations and equipment in relation to the prevailing tidal, weather conditions and vessel design characteristics.
- Select a suitable anchorage and executing the procedure as required. To use an anchor(s) to aid in manoeuvring.
- Prepare for meteorological impacts affecting the safe management and passage of a commercial vessel.
- Navigate shallow and height restrictive navigations using knowledge of depths, air drafts, vessel dimensions and tide predictions in tidal waters.
- Offer emergency assistance to help another vessel running into danger. To arrange an emergency tow or offer some powered assistance to reach safety.
- Adjusts appropriately the passage plan of the vessel under their command, taking account of safety, time and business objectives.
- Take charge of navigational watch, be able to establish risk of collision and take effective action to avoid collision.
- Monitors business objective considerations and commercial issues, adjusting actions accordingly.
Your training plan
Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.
Due to the health and safety requirements of this role we are unable to employ apprentices under 18 on this scheme.
More training information
You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from your:
Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development.
Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility.
Buddy: Usually an apprentice or graduate who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organisation.
Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or English language (grade A*-C or Grade D and above)
- Maths (grade A*-C or Grade D and above)
Other in:
- completed before your start date (grade to be refunded if successful)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team working
- Adaptable
- Innovative
Other requirements
You will have to travel outside of London for training blocks throughout the apprenticeship. English and Maths to GCSE (or equivalent) grade C or 4. If not, SeaRegs will assist you in gaining these qualifications during the Apprenticeship. MCA's ENG1 medical before the start date. (This will be refunded if successful and start your role at TfL)
About this company
At TfL, our work goes beyond transport. We keep London moving – day in, day out. We’re about building stronger connections, and helping people do more of what they love. From sustainable futures to post-pandemic economic recovery, we’re constantly breaking new ground, and taking innovation to new heights. For our people, this is more than just a job. Our apprentices are pioneers, frontrunners, and mentors. And, with a culture built on support and flexibility that puts wellbeing first.
Company benefits
Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household. Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays. Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
A Bridge Officer at Woolwich Ferry.
A Bridge Officer on commercial vessels on inland waterways.
If you chose to do so you can continue to develop seagoing qualifications (beyond your time at TfL) you may choose to travel the world at sea.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Transport for London
The Recruitment team
earlycareerscampaign@tfl.gov.uk
0203 005 1680
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000304572.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Friday 7 March)
When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
You will receive support and information around each assessment stage as you progress through your application. Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests. Assessment centres will take place from February-April, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee additional dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).