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This apprenticeship has been retired
Working on a wide variety of specialist vessels.
This occupation is found in a wide range of specialist vessels, both commercial and military such as tugs, multi-purpose workboats, aquaculture and fast pilot boats. It also covers crew transfer vessels that take personnel out to vessels or installations offshore.
Small Commercial Vessels operate in varying marine environments such as construction of offshore wind farms, providing a range of services within a port or inland waterways, including surveys and towage. In addition, they may act as support vessels in major salvage operations and wreck removal.
Many employers are based around the coastal ports of the UK or by rivers and canals. They range from large organisations like the Royal Navy, through to small private operators offering specialist services.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to complete mission specific tasks that cannot be completed by land. They typically do this by navigating a specialist vessel to the site and then using the machinery and equipment on that vessel. They must be able to carry out all core tasks on board a vessel with minimal supervision, including but not limited to; communication, navigation and vessel handling, berthing, access & egress, towing operations, laying moorings, personnel transfers and cargo handling
Small Commercial Vessel Crewmembers usually work in teams of 2 or 3 people onboard, including the Master who is in overall charge. While some tasks can be completed within a day, some missions can instead involve vessels being at sea for weeks. This means crewmembers must work flexibly and take their turn to be in charge, for instance when the vessel Master is asleep.
A Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember must make key decisions on safety, security and navigation, sometimes in rapidly changing situations. Their work directly impacts the safety of all those onboard and also impacts protection of the marine environment. A Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember can expect their working patterns to vary considerably, depending on the mission. Some might normally work day shifts. However, this occupation can include working at any time of day or night and in all weathers. Lengthy operations at sea are potentially followed by a similar length of leave.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the Master of the vessel, who they report to, and other crew members. They may also interact with other professionals, such as passengers they are transferring, or seafarers on board other vessels. A Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember interacts with colleagues ashore, alongside, and on fixed structures at sea (e.g. oil platforms). This could include engineers, port and navigational authorities, Coastguard Officers and other Search and Rescue professionals. As well as interacting in person, it’s common for a lot of communication to involve UHF or VHF radio, mobile phones, and onboard IT systems.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for following the instruction of the Master of the vessel, and discharging their duties on the vessel compliantly by following regulations.
They are also responsible for their vessel whenever they are navigating, mooring/anchoring, steering or keeping watch. They must use bridge equipment to check the vessel position. They must manoeuvre a vessel, bring it alongside, and handle mooring ropes to secure the vessel. They must use equipment like winches correctly (if provided). They must guide on safe transfer of personnel from and to their vessel.
They are also responsible for fulfilling mission specific tasks, by correctly using specialist equipment and machinery onboard the vessel (e.g., when handling cargo, they must assist in slinging of loads, crane operations and securing cargo on board).
The Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember must also take appropriate action and respond during emergencies to ensure the safety of the vessel and those working on board. When needed, they must provide emergency first aid. Working together in a very small team to meet mission objectives is a key feature of this occupation.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the small commercial vessel crewmember, the qualification required is:
STCW Personal Survival Techniques
STCW Firefighting and Fire Prevention
STCW Emergency First Aid
STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar or SQA Use of Radar for Safe Navigation and Collision Avoidance on Domestic and Code Vessels
SQA Operate Non-ECDIS Marine Electronic Chart Systems
MCA Stability Course
MCA Approved Engine Course (AEC) 1
MCA Approved Engine Course (AEC) 2
MCA Compliant L2 Food Handling
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore Certificate of Competence Theory
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore Certificate of Competence Practical
RYA or MCA GMDSS Short Range Communications Certificate
RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities and RYA Commercial Endorsement
Manual Handling
Marine Hydraulic Loader Crane Operators Certificate
Slinger and Signallers Certificate
Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Studies: Workboats
Practical demonstration with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 2 hours. They will ask you at least 3 questions.
Interview underpinned by a training record book
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a training record book before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Occupational standard and End-point assessment plan revised. | 25/03/2025 | Not set |
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised | 27/11/2023 | 24/03/2025 |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 07/08/2018 | 26/11/2023 |
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