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 generally 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.
On 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 or Record of Practical Experience and Sea Service book to record your sea service. 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.
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**, 521KB).Links to other relevant information are provided below.
- Career paths in the maritime industry
- How to obtain a marine licence
- Types of marine licences
- Sea service
- Training
- Notes for the guidance of candidates
- Using your marine licence interstate or overseas (STCW 95 endorsements)
- Revalidation of marine licences (PDF**, 51KB)
- Recognition of military qualifications
- Marine information bulletins
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is required to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from our "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF" web page.
Last updated 23 June 2008
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