Marine Craftsman / Woman
The Work
Marine craftspeople can be found in the shipbuilding, ship repair and conversion, and boat building, repair and restoration sectors. The work can range from building hulls and super-structures to installing the fixtures and fittings inside a vessel. Depending on the job, various craft skills are used - electrical, carpentry, plumbing and painting, as well as traditional maritime crafts such as rigging and sailmaking.
Those involved in shipbuilding deal with the construction of larger ships, tankers, and oil and gas platforms for offshore sites. Ship repair workers are normally based at a dockyard working on all sizes and types of vessel. Boat builders and restoration craftspeople are usually found in smaller yards, marinas and workshops, often working on leisure or traditional craft such as narrow boats.
Craftpeople work with a variety of materials including steel plate, fibreglass, reinforced plastics, composites and wood. They assemble vessels from designs and the process can involve:
Once the major construction/repair work has been carried out, craftspeople move on to 'fitting out' the vessel with furnishings, navigation equipment, internal heating and lighting and, if appropriate, rigging.
Hours and Conditions
Marine craftspeople normally work a 37-hour week. Urgent repair work
may mean working weekends and shifts, including nights.
Some shipbuilding and boat-building is done in large indoor sheds, but much of the work will be outside in all weathers. Working conditions may be cramped and dirty, with strenuous lifting and carrying and working at heights involved.
Protective clothing may be required when working with certain tools and materials.
Skills and Interests
As a marine carftsperson, you should be:
Training
Training is usually done on the job, with part-time study for qualifications. The skills covered include interpreting drawings, selecting materials, using hand tools, teamworking and using information technology.
Relevant qualifications include: NVQ / SVQ Level 3 in Boat Building and Maintenance; Marine Engineering; Engineering Maintenance; Engineering Production; Engineering Installation and Commissioning; and Marine Engineering Operations at levels 3 and 4.
The British Marine Federation has information on relevant courses and qualifications; it also has details of short-course training providers throughout the country covering areas such as laminates and composites, LPG, electrics, plumbing, rope / wire splicing, and paint spraying and finishing.
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology holds details of higher education courses and, for employees within the industry, professional development training.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:
MAPPs
(England)
Skillseekers
(Scotland)
National
Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs
(Northern Ireland)
Opportunities
Shipbuilding and ship repair is done at large shipyards located in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England. Boat-building and repair is done on a much smaller scale in areas all round the coast of the UK, especially in southern England.
There is the possibility of work overseas.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
An trainee apprentice can expect to earn about £14,000.
With increased experience, a qualified craftsperson will earn about £20,000+ a year.
Senior craftsmen and women can earn up to £25,000+ a year.
Further Information
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British Marine Federation
Tel: 01784 473377
www.britishmarine.co.uk
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Tel: 020 7382 2600
www.imarest.org
SEMTA (Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance)
Tel: 0808 100 3682
www.semta.org.uk
