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A career at sea…now
there’s a thought!
    
Would
you like to…
-
Embark on a challenging
career that charges you with high levels of responsibility within a dynamic industry?
-
Possess qualifications
that are recognised overseas and a career that provides
international opportunities?
-
Work within a unique
environment that is challenging, rewarding and gives you the
opportunity to travel?
If you
would, then maybe a career as a highly trained professional, working
aboard a ship is for you!
The
Shipping Industry – an integral part
of
Australian Surface Transport
Being a
nation surrounded by water, ships have always been part of
Australia’s culture and heritage, from Captain Cooks Endeavour,
which first chartered the east coast all those years ago, to today’s
gigantic state of the art bulk carriers that service Australia’s
shores every day.
Today,
the Australian shipping industry represents a vital and significant
sector within Australia’s transport and logistics industry, with
ships alone responsible for almost 30% of the nation’s non-urban
domestic freight task and almost 10% of the world’s seaborne task.
As a
vital part of Australia’s transport industry, shipping offers
ambitious people the opportunity to pursue highly skilled,
professional careers at sea that are distinctly different from any
other job on earth.
Aboard a
ship, there are three main categories of employment;
-
Deck Officers
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Marine Engineers and;
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Integrated Ratings
Deck
Officer
Deck
officers are primarily responsible for the safe navigational
operation of a vessel while the vessel is at sea. Essentially,
this means they are the pilots of a vessel.
They
enjoy high levels of responsibility and are required to perform a
range of duties. These include;
-
Managing a navigational
watch
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Designing and
implementing a passage plan
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Monitoring
and altering the
vessels position, speed and direction using
sophisticated navigational instruments including electronic charts
and RADAR
While the
ship is in port deck officers are also responsible for co-ordinating
cargo operations (loading, stowage and discharge) ensuring that all
operations are carried out safely and effectively.
Marine
Engineer
Marine
Engineers are primarily responsible for the safe mechanical
operation of a vessel. Essentially, they are responsible for
operating and maintaining a vessel’s structure, machinery and
equipment to make sure the vessel is functioning safely and
effectively at all times.
The role
of a Marine Engineer requires the individual to possess high-tech
skills that enable them to effectively manage a number of distinct
job activities. Typical functions of a Marine Engineer may include:
-
The design, testing and
maintenance of machinery and equipment
-
Service and maintenance
of propulsion machinery, refrigeration systems, domestic services
equipment
-
Electrical generation and distribution
Like all
roles at sea, Marine Engineers need to demonstrate the ability to
identify and solve problems while working as part of a small team
within an isolated environment.
Integrated Rating
The role
of an Integrated Rating (IR) is quite unique within the
international maritime sector in that it has evolved from two
distinct professions. Traditionally, ratings were divided between
the deck and engine departments. In Australia, however, the two
roles have been integrated with the contemporary, multi-skilled IR
possessing the knowledge and skills to work across both departments.
IR’s
may engage in a number of activities including,
-
Assisting with cargo
operations
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Engine and navigational
watches
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Mooring and anchoring
operations
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General servicing and
maintenance
Navigating
a path… ‘What training is involved?’
International conventions and national regulations require trainees
to undergo comprehensive training programmes and complete periods of
seagoing service before they are sufficiently qualified to go to
sea.
At
present, requirements for the issue of Australian Maritime Safety
Authority (AMSA) certificates of competency (CoC), for the purpose
of performing duties as a Deck Officer, Marine Engineer or IR,
includes the completion of AMSA approved courses that are delivered
in accordance with the industry endorsed Maritime Training Package (MTP).
These
courses involve a combination of extensive theoretical and practical
training designed to give students the knowledge and skills required
to go to sea. Upon completion of such courses, successful
candidates receive nationally recognised competency based
qualifications that range from certificate three to undergraduate
degree level.
Are you up for the
challenge?
Navigating and operating a
ship requires a team of highly committed professionals that are able
to apply there knowledge and skills within a challenging work
environment.
While a
career as a seafarer can offer many exciting opportunities, it is
important to recognise that it may not be for everyone. There
are many factors and lifestyle influences that should be carefully
considered before you make a decision to pursue a career at sea.
ASA
encourages those who are interested in a career at sea to gain a
greater understanding of what life at sea might be like by
researching your particular field of interest.
As with
any career, you should conduct as much research as possible to
ensure that the path you are heading down is the one that is best
for you!
More
information on maritime careers, training and employment
opportunities can be found at;
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