Are you currently working as a deckhand (or similar) and interested in stepping up to deck officer aboard superyachts? Can you see yourself on the bridge taking the yacht into amazing locations around the world?
If so, our Deck Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited programme is your passport to the next level of your maritime career aboard superyachts.
At the bottom of this page you'll find three case studies of students from the yacht sector who successfully studied with us.
Unlimited opportunities: Our one-year programme prepares you to become a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Deck Officer of the Watch (OOW) with an Unlimited Certificate of Competency. This means you can work as a deck officer on any size of vessel - whether it's the biggest container ships, cruise liners, tankers or workboats and superyachts over 3,000 gross tonnes.
Flexible, blended option: If you can’t commit to a year out, our Blended Learning option allows you to study remotely with the expert support of our dedicated Blending Learning team. You’ll complete your studies at your own pace and only attend college for exams.
Get qualified: On the journey to your OOW certification, you’ll gain an Advanced Certificate in Nautical Science. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills required for the job, whether that be on cargo ships, passenger ships or superyachts.
Related courses: Alongside your main qualification, you can study with us for the other certificates you need go for your OOW Certificate of Competency:
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques (or have updated within the last 5 years)
- STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (or have updated within the last 5 years)
- Elementary First Aid
- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (or have updated within the last 5 years)
- Signals
- STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (or have updated within the last 5 years)
- STCW Medical First Aid
- STCW NAEST (Operational)
- Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
- STCW Human Element Leadership Management (Operational)
- STCW GMDSS (GOC)
You must also pass written exams in Navigation and Ship Stability, as well as MCA Orals. We offer both written and oral exam preparation courses that are carefully aligned with your Advanced Certificate and we are a recognised exam centre for the MCA.
Entry Requirements
To study for the Advanced Certificate/OOW Unlimited Certificate of Competency you must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- since the age of 16, have obtained 36 months seagoing service, with six months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties. Please carefully review MSN1856 Training & Certification Guidance: UK Requirements for Master and Deck Officers section 9 relating to requirements for seagoing service and required documentary evidence
- hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent
- Hold all the related certificates as above
Fees and Funding
You may wish to explore opportunities to fund your courses the Marine Society -https://www.marine-society.org/slater-scholarship.
English language skills
If English is not your first language you must hold IELTS of 5.5 or equivalent, with a minimum grade of 4.0 in each of the following elements: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, obtained within the two years prior to your intended period of study.
Student Case Studies
Find out first hand how our students have taken the step to becoming officers on superyachts.
Read Joe's story Read Hilton's story Read James's story
Want to find out more?
Contact us on maritime@blackpool.ac.uk or call 01253 504800 to talk to our team about taking the first step towards your goal.
