Apprenticeship course studied: Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember
Company: Brightlingsea Harbour
What inspired you to pursue a career at sea?
I have always lived by the water, and my passion for being afloat started at a young age. I began dinghy sailing at my local sailing club when I was eleven, joining as a dinghy cadet. I particularly enjoyed crewing and spending time out on the water, and over the years I continued sailing while gradually helping on training courses during the summer holidays.
Alongside this, I joined Ardleigh Sailing Club, a reservoir-based sailing club local to me, where I am now a committee member. I completed my A-levels in Geography, Politics, and Photography in 2024, and once I finished, I knew I wanted to pursue an apprenticeship rather than go straight to university.
I discovered the Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember apprenticeship at my local harbour and decided to apply. I have absolutely loved the apprenticeship so far and feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities it has given me.
How have you found your training course so far?
I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship to date. I attend two-week training blocks at SeaRegs in Plymouth every six to eight weeks. I began the apprenticeship in September 2024, and I am now approaching the final stages of my two-year programme.
I train alongside a cohort of apprentices from across the country, all working for different organisations. This makes the training particularly interesting, as everyone brings different knowledge and experiences. We complete our training together, including STCW courses, Small Ships Navigation and Radar, and in-depth study of the COLREGs, as well as lots more.
Through Brightlingsea Harbour, I have been given some fantastic opportunities. These include attending SeaWorks, spending two days with the Port of London Authority on their pilot vessels to learn how they operate, and touring the research vessel Sir David Attenborough, which was a real highlight.
Within the harbour, I regularly crew on the pilot vessel, assisting with pilotage in and out of the harbour, which often involves late nights and early mornings. Recently, I was also fortunate enough to sail onboard a departing ship, which gave me a valuable insight into bridge operations and pilotage from the pilots’ perspective. In addition, I help operate the harbour taxis, foot ferries, and harbour tours, which has helped me build a wide range of practical skills.
What skills and traits do you believe are most important as a marine apprentice?
I believe that being hardworking and adaptable are two of the most important traits for a marine apprentice. Every day is different, and you can often find yourself doing something completely different from what you expected. This variety is something I really enjoy about the job.
A strong work ethic is also essential, particularly when it comes to the learning side of the apprenticeship. I found some of the engineering courses, such as AEC 1 and 2, especially challenging, but I made sure to put the time into revising and to ask for help from others who could explain topics I found more difficult. Being willing to learn and asking for help makes a big difference.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their career at sea?
I would say 100% go for it. If you are interested in a career at sea, it is great fun and no two days are ever the same. You need to be prepared to learn, stay flexible, and be willing to try new things.
There is a huge range of job opportunities, both on the water and shoreside. Starting out can be challenging, especially if you are new to the industry, but it is an incredibly rewarding and a career path which I recommend. You end up having great experiences and meeting some brilliant people.
