Introduction to a career in the maritime industry
If you are thinking about working on commercial or fishing ships within Queensland waters, and your aim is to become either the master or engineer, you will need to gain experience by working on ships.
Commercial and fishing ships are those used in conjunction with any type of business, trade or commerce. They can include fishing ships, tourist or charter boats, work boats, ferries, water taxis, dive boats and sailing school boats.
There are various marine licences that can be obtained through Maritime Safety Queensland, all of which have a requirement for sea service gained by working on ships. The amount and type of sea service required depends on the type of marine licence required.
Upon joining a ship working in Queensland as a crew member, particularly if you will be working as a deckhand or doing general duties that relate to the operation of the ship, it is strongly recommended that you obtain either a Record of Service (ROS) book at a Maritime Safety Queensland regional office to record your sea service and a workplace-based task book issued by a Maritime Safety Queensland authorised registered training organisation (PDF, 25.7 KB).
If you have been in the industry for some time and have already obtained substantive sea service prior to January 2009 that can be verified or ratified by Maritime Safety Queensland or you have already obtained a Transport Distribution, Maritime qualification, you may consider starting a Record of Practical Experience and Sea Service (ROPES) book. ROPES books are a means of recording skills gained in the workplace for licence candidates.
This is the easiest way to keep a record of the ships you have worked on, the amount of time spent on those ships, the duties performed and other details that you will need to provide when making an application for a marine licence. Some sea service accrued in recreational ships may count towards the total required amount of service dependant on its type and quality and the marine licence you are applying for.
If you complete a workplace-based task book you will qualify for a 50 per cent remission in the qualifying sea service requirements relative to the licence level. If you complete a ROPES book you will qualify for up to a 50 per cent remission in the qualifying sea service requirements relative to the licence level, with a sliding scale of remission for a book that is not 100 per cent complete.
Before considering a career in the maritime industry, you are strongly advised to undertake a medical and eyesight examination to ensure that you comply with the required standards. If minimum standards are not met, a licence may not be issued.
Here is information about some options for a
career in the maritime industry (PDF, 520.5 KB).
Links to other relevant information are provided below.
