Boatmaster

This occupation is found in the maritime industry covering a wide range of commercial activity on inland tidal and non-tidal waterways.  Boatmasters often navigate vessels through busy and highly challenging waterways. Opportunities in this industry are very wide-ranging, for example a Boatmaster could be the captain of a single vessel tourist boat or could be working for a large freight operator responsible for safely moving freight up the river to a port.

Inland Waterways vessels might typically operate within a limited navigational area based around a standard working day. However regulations also allow the Boatmaster to navigate a limited distance out to sea. Inland waterways vessels come in all shapes and sizes but are usually designed for short riverine or inshore trade, never more than 5 miles from land or 15 miles from the point of arrival and/or departure. Boatmasters are therefore rarely out of sight of land. Vessel types include but are not limited to vessels from the freight and civil engineering sector and passenger boats that carry up to 12 persons on board.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure safe operation and passage of the vessel. A Boatmaster is responsible for, and has command of, commercial passenger or non-passenger (freight and ‘other service’) vessels and all those on board.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other Boatmasters, crew and any passengers, other vessels and emergency services. Much of their time will be spent on the water. Boatmasters can expect to work outdoors in all weathers. A Boatmaster is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the vessel, ranging from the equipment on-board through to mechanics. The Boatmaster must plan their navigation, handle the vessel and ensure safe mooring/anchoring.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading their crew and will report to the vessel owners. Often, there is just one Boatmaster on board but dependent on the type of vessel there can be two or even more Boatmasters present; in these circumstances just one of the Boatmasters will be appointed Captain (in overall charge). Career options are many and varied - depending on how a Boatmaster wants to specialise in future they will need to gain additional "endorsements" (certificates from the MCA) - such endorsements sit outside this Apprenticeship. The KSB's covered in this apprenticeship aim to prepare the candidate for a MCA generic Boatmaster Licence at the appropriate Tier.  Specialist operations such as those for a  towing or a passenger vessel that carries more than 12 persons on board fall outside this apprenticeship. Important notice: passing the MCA Oral and Practical exams culminate in the MCA award of a Certificate of Competency to practice as a Boatmaster. These exams also form part of the partially integrated approach to End Point Assessment (EPA). These exams must not therefore be completed during the apprenticeship on-programme. All of the remaining mandatory qualifications must be passed by gateway to EPA.