Requirements

Ship and hovercraft officer - requirements

As a ship or hovercraft officer, you’ll use your maritime skills to support the daily running and navigation of a vessel, looking after its cargo and passengers. Learn more about a career as a ship or hovercraft officer, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a ship and hovercraft officer?

A degree in engineering or maritime studies will prove particularly useful. Subjects to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a ship and hovercraft officer?

Although it’s not essential to do a postgraduate course, it can help develop your skills and improve your career opportunities.

Examples of taught MScs, MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

International law and maritime law
Maritime history
Maritime law
Maritime logistics and business
Maritime operations
Maritime policy and shipping management
Maritime security
Maritime technology
Shipping and logistics

What skills do you need to be a ship and hovercraft officer?

As a ship and hovercraft officer, you’ll use your maritime skills to make confident decisions and stay calm under pressure.

Hard skills usually include:

Agile methodology
Auditing
Customer relationship management
Finance and fundraising
Key performance indicators
Microsoft mail
Risk analysis and management
Watchkeeping

Soft skills include:

Communications
Customer service
Innovation
Leadership
Management
Marketing
Operations
Planning
Problem-solving
Research

Do you need work experience to be a ship and hovercraft officer?

It’s not essential to have gained work experience before getting a role but it will certainly strengthen your application. Getting involved in sailing activities with a youth organisation like the Sea Cadets or Ocean Youth Trust or volunteering with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will help develop your skills and show your commitment.