Everything about The British Merchant Navy totally explained
The
British Merchant Navy connotes British merchant ships and their crews, transporting cargo and people during time of peace and war.
For long periods of the last millennium, the Merchant Navy had the largest merchant fleet in the world, but it has slipped down the rankings. As of 2005, the Merchant Navy consists of 429 ships of or over, for a total of . This amounts to . These ships are categorized as follows: 18
bulk carriers, 55
general cargo ships, 48
chemical tankers, 134
container ships, 11
liquefied gas carriers, 12
passenger ships, 64 combination passenger/cargo ships, 40
petroleum tankers, 19
refrigerated cargo ships, 25
roll-on/roll-off ships, and 3
vehicle carriers. In addition, U.K. interests own 446 ships registered in other countries, and 202 foreign-owned ships are registered in the UK.
(2005 CIA estimate)
Due to the
United Kingdom's
island nature, before the
Channel Tunnel and the advent of
air travel the only way to enter or leave the country was on water.
Officers past and present
For the
United Kingdom, prior to the end of the
First World War when she sailed more than half of the world's tonnage, it was known as the
Merchant Service, and became the
Merchant Navy by a
Royal Proclamation of
King George V, in recognition of the fact that the service sailed valiantly alongside the
Royal Navy's fighting ships. British ships fly the
Red Ensign, more familiarly known as the "Red Duster", at the stern.
A person hoping to one day become a
Captain, or
Master, prior to about 1973, had five choices. To attend one of the three elite naval schools from the age of 12, the fixed-base
HMS Conway and
HMS Worcester or
Pangbourne Nautical College, which would automatically lead to an
apprenticeship as a sea-going cadet officer; apply to one of several training programmes elsewhere, or go to sea immediately by applying directly to a merchant shipping company at perhaps the age of 17 (with poor prospects of being accepted without some nautical school or other similar prior education.) Then there would be three years (with prior training or four years without) of seagoing experience aboard ship, in work-clothes and as mates with the deck crew, under the direction of the
bo'sun cleaning
bilges, chipping paint, polishing brass, cement washing freshwater tanks, and
holystoning teak decks, and studying navigation and seamanship on the bridge in uniform, under the direction of an officer, before taking exams to become a
second mate. With luck, one could become an "uncertificated" 2nd mate in the last year.
The modern route to becoming a Deck or Engineer Officer comprises a total of three years of which at least one is spent at sea and the remainder at a sea college. This training still encompasses all of the traditional trades such as celestial navigation, ship stability, general cargo and seamanship, but now includes training in business, legislation, law, and computerisation for Deck Officers and marine engineering principles, workshop technology, steam propulsion, motor (diesel) propulsion, auxiliaries, mechanics, thermodynamics, engineering drawing, ship construction, marine electrics as well as practical workshop training for Engineering Officers. Training is now undertaken at Warsash Maritime Academy, South Tyneside College, Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and Fleetwood Nautical Campus. As well as earning an OOW (
Officer of the Watch) certificate, they gain valuable training at sea and a HND or Degree in their chosen discipline. The decrease of Officer recruiting in the past, combined with the huge expansion of trade via shipping is causing a shortage of Officers in the UK, traditionally a major seafaring nation, and as such a scheme called Sea Sense has been launched to raise general awareness of the Merchant Navy in the modern day roles.
Another essential seagoing career was that of the radio officer (or R/O, but usually "sparks"), often, though not exclusively, employed and placed by the
Marconi Company or one of a number of similar radio company employers. After the inquiry into the sinking of the
RMS Titanic, and the nearby
SS Californian which didn't render assistance due to their radio being down for the night, it was ordered that round-the-clock watch had to be maintained on all ships over 1600
GT. Most vessels only carried one radio officer, and during the hours he was off-duty, an automatic alarm device monitored the distress frequency. Today, Marconi no longer supplies radio officers to ships at sea, because they're no longer required, due to the development of
satellites. Deck officers are now dual trained as
GMDSS officers, thereby being able to operate all of the ship's onboard communication systems and ETO (
Electro Technical Officer) are trained to fix and maintain the more complex systems.
Comsat launched their first commercial satellite in 1976 and by the mid 1980s satellite communication domes had become a familiar sight at sea. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System or GMDSS was introduced and by
1 February 1999, all ships had to be fitted, thus bringing to an end the position of radio officer. This has led to a new career path, the recently introduced Electro-Technical Officer (ETO), who is a trained engineer with qualifications to assist the mechanical engineer to maintain vital electronic equipment such as
radios and
RADARs. ETOs are marine engineers given extra training. Although ETOs are relatively new, many companies are beginning to employ them, (although mechanical engineers are still employed).
Ship crews are of course made up of others, working under the eyes of the officers; the deck crew and
bo'sun, responsible for general maintenance, sailing "before the mast", (which, due to exaggerated
pitching motion in bad weather, is the least comfortable part of the ship). Other duties aboard ship are performed by the ship's carpenter, the cooks, the stewards, the
quartermaster who steers the ship, and the below-decks crew, often referred to as "greasers". Ocean-going vessels with more than 12 passengers are required to have a doctor aboard. For ships of the British Merchant Navy on foreign service, interestingly, it used to be that each of these departments were peopled with ethnically based workers. The deck crew would often be
Malay, the
quartermasters
Filipino, the greasers and stewards
Indian, the cooks Indian but from
Goa where, being
Christian, they could prepare Western style food, and the ship's carpenter ("chippy") would often be
Chinese. The officers would be British or
Commonwealth, headed by the Captain (or Master, but more often referred to as "the old man"). The
Purser was in charge of the ship's stores. Nowadays, ships have turnaround times of less than twenty-four hours instead of several days, due to containerisation, requiring a much smaller crew. The passenger liners that once transported people now ply the oceans for
pleasure seekers, cargo ships have switched to
containers using efficient
shoreside cranes instead of the ship's
derricks, and tankers have become
monsters.
Sailing on the high seas has a long history, with embedded traditions largely inherited from the days of sail. Because of the ever-present concerns of safety for crew and passengers, the layers of authority are rigid, discipline strict, and
mutiny almost unknown. The romantic lure for those "going down to the sea in ships" is less than it was.
Merchant mariners are held in high esteem as a result of their extraordinary losses in times of war. The ships were often "sitting ducks" lined up in the sights of enemy combatants, as some of the following links will help illustrate.
Ratings
The following equivalent ratings were the official ones recognised by the
National Maritime Board for ocean-going cargo vessels and
cargo liners carrying up to six passengers.
| Deck Department |
Engine Room Department |
Catering Department |
| 1919 |
| Deckboy |
|
Boy |
| Ordinary Seaman |
|
|
| |
|
Assistant Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Assistant Steward (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew) |
| |
|
Messroom Steward (up to 59 white crew or 74 mixed crew) |
| |
|
Assistant Cook (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Assistant Steward (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew)
Messroom Steward (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew)
Saloon Steward (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Second Steward (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew) |
| |
|
Assistant Baker (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Assistant Cook (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Second Cook (21-89 white crew or 26-112 mixed crew)
Second Steward (no Storekeeper carried; 60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew) |
| Able Seaman |
Trimmer |
Second Cook & Baker (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Storekeeper (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew) |
Boatswain's Mate
Lamptrimmer
Painter
Quartermaster
Deck Storekeeper |
Fireman |
Baker (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Butcher (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Pantryman (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Second Cook & Baker (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Second Steward (Storekeeper carried; 60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew)
Storekeeper (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew) |
Launchman
Water Tender |
Assistant Engine Room Storekeeper
Greaser
Leading Fireman |
Second Cook (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew) |
Boatswain
Boatswain's Mate (large steamer)
Carpenter's Mate & Joiner (up to 10,000 tons)
Pumpman (oil tanker)
Sailmaker |
Diesel Engine Greaser
Donkeyman
Electrical Greaser
Engine Room Storekeeper
First Leading Fireman
Refrigerator Greaser
Tunnel Greaser |
Baker (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Butcher (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Cook (up to 20 white crew or 25 mixed crew)
Ship's Cook (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew) |
Carpenter (up to 8,000 tons)
Carpenter's Mate & Joiner (10,001-25,000 tons) |
|
Second Steward (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Ship's Cook (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew) |
Boatswain (large steamer)
Carpenter (8,001-10,000 tons) |
|
Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Cook-Steward (up to 20 white crew or 25 mixed crew)
Steward (up to 20 white crew or 25 mixed crew) |
| Carpenter (10,001-12,000 tons) |
|
Chief Steward (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Cook (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew) |
| Carpenter (12,001-25,000 tons) |
|
Chief Cook (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew)
Chief Steward (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed crew) |
| Carpenter (over 25,000 tons) |
|
Chief Steward (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew) |
| 1964 |
| Deck Boy |
Engine Room Boy |
|
| |
|
Catering Boy |
| Junior Ordinary Seaman |
Junior Ordinary Engine Room Rating |
|
| Senior Ordinary Seaman |
Senior Ordinary Engine Room Rating |
|
| Deck Hand (Uncertificated) |
|
|
| |
|
Assistant Steward
Messroom Steward
Saloon Steward
Stewardess |
| |
|
Assistant Baker
Assistant Butcher
Assistant Cook
Second Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew) |
Able Seaman
Efficient Deck Hand |
Cleaner & Wiper
Fireman Steward
Trimmer |
|
Lamp Trimmer
Painter
Quarter Master (up to 12,000 tons)
Deck Storekeeper |
Engine Room Hand
Fireman |
Baker or Second Cook and Baker (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Pantryman
Second Cook (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew)
Second Steward (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Catering Storekeeper |
Launchman
Quarter Master (over 12,000 tons)
Water Tender |
Assistant Engine Room Storekeeper
Greaser
Leading Fireman |
|
| Boatswain's Mate (up to 12,000 tons) |
|
|
Boatswain's Mate (over 12,000 tons)
Pumpman (oil tanker) |
Donkeyman
Engine Room Storekeeper (up to 12,000 tons) |
Baker or Second Cook and Baker (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew)
Butcher |
Assistant Carpenter & Joiner (up to 10,000 tons)
Boatswain (up to 8,000 tons) |
Engineer Assistant |
|
| |
Engine Room Storekeeper (over 12,000 tons) |
|
| |
|
Ship's Cook (up to 20 white crew or up to 25 mixed crew) |
Assistant Carpenter & Joiner (10,001-25,000 tons)
Boatswain (8,001-10,000 tons) |
|
Second Steward (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew)
Ship's Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew; Chief Cook carried) |
| Carpenter (up to 8,000 tons) |
|
Ship's Cook (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew; Chief Cook carried) |
Assistant Carpenter & Joiner (over 25,000 tons)
Boatswain (10,001-12,000 tons) |
|
|
| Carpenter (8,001-10,000 tons) |
|
Chief Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew)
Cook Steward
Ship's Cook (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew; no Chief Cook carried) |
| Boatswain (12,001-25,000 tons) |
|
|
| Carpenter (10,001-12,000 tons) |
|
|
| Boatswain (over 25,000 tons) |
|
Chief Cook (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew) |
| Carpenter (12,001-25,000 tons) |
|
Steward (up to 20 white crew or 25 mixed crew) |
| |
|
Chief (or only) Steward (21-59 white crew or 26-74 mixed crew) |
| Carpenter (over 25,000 tons) |
|
|
| |
|
Chief (or only) Steward (60+ white crew or 75+ mixed crew) |
Equivalent Royal Navy ranks
These are the equivalent ranks officially recognised by the
British Government in the
Second World War.
Naval Auxiliaries were members of the
Royal Fleet Auxiliary and crews of
Admiralty cable ships or merchant ships or commissioned rescue tugs requisitioned by the
Royal Navy and coming under naval discipline.
| RN rank |
Deck Department |
Engine Room Department |
Catering Department |
| Commander |
Master (over 10,000 tons) |
Chief Engineer (over 10,000 tons) |
|
| Lieutenant-Commander |
Master (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship)
First Mate (over 10,000 tons)
Surgeon (over 10,000 tons) |
Chief Engineer (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more)
Certificated Second Engineer (over 10,000 tons) |
Purser (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons or 2,501-10,000 tons if at least two assistant pursers carried) |
| Lieutenant |
Master (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
First Mate (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or Naval Auxiliary holding Master's Certificate)
Certificated second mate (over 10,000 tons or Naval Auxiliary over 30 holding Master's Certificate)
Certificated third mate (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons holding Master's Certificate)
Surgeon (up to 10,000 tons) |
Chief Engineer (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Second Engineer (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship)
Certificated Third Engineer (over 10,000 tons)
Certificated Chief Refrigerating Engineer (holding 1st Class Certificate)
Chief (or only) Electrician (cable ship or if 4 or more electricians carried) |
Purser (over 10,000 tons or Naval Auxiliary 2,501-10,000 tons if at least one assistant purser carried)
Senior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons or 2,501-10,000 tons if 3 or more pursers carried) |
| Sub-Lieutenant |
Certificated Master (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
First Mate (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Second Mate (up to 10,000 tons unless home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Third Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Junior Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (3 or more years' service) |
Certificated Chief Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Chief Engineer (Naval Auxiliary; commissioned rescue tug if not holding First Engineer's Certificate)
Certificated Second Engineer (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Third Engineer (up to 10,000 tons unless home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Fourth Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Junior Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Chief Refrigerating Engineer (holding 2nd Class Certificate)
Certificated Refrigerating Engineer
Chief Electrician (except cable ship)
Second Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; ship carrying 4 or more electricians)
Electrician (cable ship also carrying Chief Electrician)
Certificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary; 8,000 tons or over) |
Purser (2,501-10,000 tons)
Purser (Naval Auxiliary; up to 2,500 tons)
Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; 2,501-10,000 tons if only two pursers carried)
Senior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; up to 2,500 tons)
Junior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary)
Chief Steward (passenger ship over 10,000 tons or passenger ship 2,501-10,000 tons if no Purser carried)
|
| Acting Sub-Lieutenant |
Uncertificated Mate (Naval Auxiliary) |
Uncertificated Engineer (Naval Auxiliary)
Uncertificated Refrigerating Engineer (Naval Auxiliary)
Chief (or only) Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; if only 1 or 2 electricians carried)
Second Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; if up to 3 electricians carried)
Electrician (Naval Auxiliary)
Certificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary; below 8,000 tons) |
|
| Warrant Officer |
Uncertificated Master (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Uncertificated Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Mate (home trade cargo ship 501-1,000 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (1-3 years' service or Naval Auxiliary less than 3 years' service)
Cable Foreman (cable ship) |
Uncertificated Chief Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Uncertificated Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Engineer (home trade cargo ship 501-1,000 tons)
Senior Boilermaker
Electrician (except cable ship) |
Purser (up to 2,500 tons)
Assistant Purser
Chief Steward (passenger ship 2,501-10,000 tons if Purser also carried or passenger ship up to 2,500 tons or cable ship or Naval Auxiliary cargo ship over 10,000 tons) |
| Midshipman |
Deck Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; 3 or more years' service)
Radio Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; over 1 year's service) |
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; 3 or more years' service) |
| Cadet |
Deck Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; less than 3 years' service)
Radio Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; up to 1 year's service) |
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; less than 3 years' service) |
| Chief Petty Officer |
Mate (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (less than 1 year's service)
Deck Apprentice or Cadet
Radio Cadet
Boatswain
Carpenter
Plumber
Cable Jointer (cable ship)
Assistant Cable Foreman (cable ship) |
Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Boilermaker
Uncertificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary)
Sanitary Engineer
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet
Chief Fireman or Stoker |
Chief Steward (cargo ship)
Chief Cook |
| Petty Officer |
Boatswain's Mate
Carpenter's Mate
Chief Quartermaster
Hospital Attendant |
Donkeyman
Pumpman
Engineroom Storekeeper
Engineroom Winchman
First Leading Fireman
Leading Hand Diesel
Electrical Assistant |
Baker
Butcher
Second Steward
Senior Steward
Saloon Steward
Ship's Cook
Officers' Cook
First Writer
Head Waiter
Catering Storekeeper 1st Class |
| Leading Seaman |
Craneman
Lamp Trimmer
Launchman
Leading Seaman
Painter
Quartermaster
Deck Storekeeper
Deck Winchman
Seaman Cable Jointer (cable ship)
Cable Engine Driver (cable ship) |
Greaser
Leading Fireman or Stoker
Assistant Engineroom Storekeeper |
Second Cook (and Baker)
Cook
Catering Storekeeper
Pantryman
Leading Steward
Second Writer |
| Able Seaman |
Able Seaman
Ordinary Seaman
Seaman Cable Hand (cable ship) |
Fireman or Stoker
Trimmer
Cleaner and Wiper |
Assistant Catering Storekeeper
Second Baker
Assistant Baker
Assistant Butcher
Assistant Cook
Assistant Pantryman
Steward
Assistant Steward
Boy Steward |
Notable members
Merchant seamen have gone on to make their mark on the world in a number of interesting ways. For example,
Arthur Phillip joined the Merchant Navy in 1751 and 37 years later founded the city of
Sydney, Australia.
Merchant Navy member
Ken Russell later directed films such as
Tommy,
Altered States, and
The Lair of the White Worm. Irish Merchant Navy member
Kevin McClory spent 14 days in a lifeboat and later went on to write the James Bond movies
Never Say Never Again and
Thunderball. Alun Owen later wrote the screenplay for
A Hard Day's Night.
Merchant Navy steward
Freddie Lennon had a surprise when he returned home to find he'd a newborn son. That son would later found the musical group
The Beatles.
Members of the British Merchant Navy have won the
Distinguished Service Cross, and have had careers taking them from 'Deck Boy Peter' to
Air Marshal Sir Beresford Peter Torrington Horsley KCB, CBE, LVO, AFC. Canadian merchant seamen have won
the Victoria Cross and the
Medal of Honor.
Merchant sailors have also made a splash in the world of sport, including England's footballer
Fred Blackburn and founder of Yoshinkan UK,
Edwin Stratton.
Further Information
Get more info on 'British Merchant Navy'.
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