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Ensuring the safe operation and passage of a vessel.
This occupation is found in the maritime industry covering a wide range of commercial activity on inland tidal and non-tidal waterways. Boatmasters often navigate vessels through busy and highly challenging waterways. Opportunities in this industry are very wide-ranging, for example a Boatmaster could be the captain of a single vessel tourist boat or could be working for a large freight operator responsible for safely moving freight up the river to a port.
Inland Waterways vessels might typically operate within a limited navigational area based around a standard working day. However regulations also allow the Boatmaster to navigate a limited distance out to sea. Inland waterways vessels come in all shapes and sizes but are usually designed for short riverine or inshore trade, never more than 5 miles from land or 15 miles from the point of arrival and/or departure. Boatmasters are therefore rarely out of sight of land. Vessel types include but are not limited to vessels from the freight and civil engineering sector and passenger boats that carry up to 12 persons on board.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure safe operation and passage of the vessel. A Boatmaster is responsible for, and has command of, commercial passenger or non-passenger (freight and ‘other service’) vessels and all those on board.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other Boatmasters, crew and any passengers, other vessels and emergency services. Much of their time will be spent on the water. Boatmasters can expect to work outdoors in all weathers. A Boatmaster is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the vessel, ranging from the equipment on-board through to mechanics. The Boatmaster must plan their navigation, handle the vessel and ensure safe mooring/anchoring.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading their crew and will report to the vessel owners. Often, there is just one Boatmaster on board but dependent on the type of vessel there can be two or even more Boatmasters present; in these circumstances just one of the Boatmasters will be appointed Captain (in overall charge). Career options are many and varied - depending on how a Boatmaster wants to specialise in future they will need to gain additional "endorsements" (certificates from the MCA) - such endorsements sit outside this Apprenticeship. The KSB's covered in this apprenticeship aim to prepare the candidate for a MCA generic Boatmaster Licence at the appropriate Tier. Specialist operations such as those for a towing or a passenger vessel that carries more than 12 persons on board fall outside this apprenticeship. Important notice: passing the MCA Oral and Practical exams culminate in the MCA award of a Certificate of Competency to practice as a Boatmaster. These exams also form part of the partially integrated approach to End Point Assessment (EPA). These exams must not therefore be completed during the apprenticeship on-programme. All of the remaining mandatory qualifications must be passed by gateway to EPA.
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 6 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
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 boatmaster, the qualification required is:
Manual Handling half day
STCW Personal Survival Techniques
MCA Approved Fire Safety Course
STCW Elementary First Aid
STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness
STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
RYA/MCA GMDSS Short Range Certificate
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA Helmsman's Course
RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities
RYA Day Skipper Shore-based Certificate (Invigilated exam)
RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate
MCA Approved Stability Course Certificate
MCA Approved Engine Course 1
SQA Use of Radar for Safe Navigation and Collision Avoidance on Domestic and Code Vessels
SQA Operate non ECDIS Marine Electronic Chart Systems
RYA Intermediate Powerboat course
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence
STCW Crisis Management and Human Behaviour Certificate
STCW Human Element, Leadership and Management at Operational level “HELM(O)”
SQA Diploma in Maritime Studies: Rivers, Inland Waterways and Limited Distances to Sea
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 120 minutes. They will ask you at least 11 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 4 hours. They will ask you at least 1 questions.
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.Reasonable adjustments
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 | End-point assessment plan revised. | 21/03/2025 | Not set |
| 1.1 | End-point assessment, standard and funding band revised | 25/04/2023 | 20/03/2025 |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 04/11/2019 | 24/04/2023 |
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