Marine ETO Guide Lines

Merchant Navy Electro-Technical Officer
Introduction
Electro-technical officers (ETOs) are a type of engineer officer working in the
Merchant Navy. They are responsible for the maintenance of all electrical
equipment onboard the ship.
Also known as
Electro-Technical Officer, Merchant Navy
Work Activities
Electro-technical officers (ETO) work in the Merchant Navy. They are responsible for monitoring all electrical and
electronic equipment onboard the ship. This includes radio communications and electronic navigation aids, such as
radars.
ETOs work all over the ship. This means they could be working on the bridge, in the engine room, or in passenger
areas. They have to make sure all electrical/electronic equipment is maintained to the correct standards. This involves
carrying out checks and sticking to set procedures.
A large part of the ETO's work is problem solving. They have to diagnose electrical and electronic faults and take
action if it's needed. They also have to put measures in place which will prevent the problem from happening again.
ETOs often work in shifts. This usually means four hours on watch and eight off, or six on and six off.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Engineer Officers
Merchant Navy electro-technical officer can also work on Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships. These ships supply cargo to
Royal Navy (RN) ships at sea. As RFA personnel work closely with the Royal Navy, they may have to perform duties
under combat conditions.
Personal Qualities and Skills

To do this job well, you'll need:
An interest in electrical and electronic control and power systems.

Problem-solving skills.
The ability to work under pressure and make quick decisions, if needed.
An interest in boats, ships and the sea.
Written and spoken communication skills.
To be good at maths.
Good practical skills.
To be a well-organised person.
An interest in physics.
Good team working skills.
Pay and Opportunities

Pay
Salary rates for Merchant Navy officers vary with the company.
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Electro-technical officers earn in the range of 20,000 - 25,000, rising to 30,000 - 40,000 with experience. Senior
Merchant Navy positions can earn around 65,000.
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Hours of work
Shift work is usual. Ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Demand
Demand for engineer officers is steady.
Where could I work? Merchant Navy personnel are civilian employees who work on a variety of ships of all sizes
including:
passenger and cruise liners

container ships
oil tankers
cargo vessels
passenger and freight ferries.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which supplies the needs of Royal Navy ships at sea, also employs civilian Merchant Navy
personnel.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on Universal Jobmatch, and at Jobcentre Plus.
Vacancies are advertised on shipping lines' websites.
Entry Routes and Training

Entry
The main route into careers in the Merchant Navy is by applying directly to sponsoring companies. The Merchant
Navy Training Board has a complete list of these companies. Once employed, you'll do further study.
The following subject areas are most relevant:
marine electrics
marine electronics
marine engineering
marine technology.
South Tyneside College offers a Foundation Degree in Marine Electrical/Electronics.
People with seafaring experience or relevant qualifications may be exempt from some of the academic and practical
aspects of training. This makes your route to full qualification quicker. Sponsoring companies will provide relevant
details.
Training
All trainees are also given thorough instruction in health and safety, including firefighting and survival techniques.
Progression
With experience and relevant study, an electro-technical officer can progress to senior rank, especially on large
passenger vessels with very large electrical plant.
There is a wide range of careers in offshore-based industries that need electro-technical experience.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information
to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is
different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.
Qualifications
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To enter the Foundation Degree in Marine Electrical/Electronics available at South Tyneside College, you'll need:
A minimum of 120 UCAS points.

GCSEs at grade C or above in Mathematics and a science subject
Alternatives to A levels include:
BTEC level 3 qualifications.

Advanced Level Apprenticeships.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma
To enter a relevant HNC/HND or foundation degree, you'll usually need:
1 A level. Science subjects, such as physics will be useful.

A GCSE at grade C or above in your A level subject.
A further 3/4 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths
Alternatives to A levels include:
BTEC level 3 qualifications.

Advanced Level Apprenticeships.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma
However, entry requirements for different courses vary, so check university prospectuses for more details.
Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
The University of Plymouth and City College, Plymouth, offer foundation degrees in Marine Engineering by part-time
study. These courses take three years to complete.
The Marine Society College of the Sea offers seafarers a route to top up their HND or foundation degree to a full
honours degree. Candidates can go on to achieve an MA or MSc. This is delivered via the work-based learning and
Professional Studies programme, by distance learning.
Funding
Candidates can apply for financial support for study from The Marine Society.
Statistics
18% of Merchant Navy engineer officers are self-employed.

11% work part-time.
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Further Information
Contact individual shipping companies or training providers.
Contacts
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Address: Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1EG
Tel: 02380 329100
Website: www.dft.gov.uk/mca/
Careers at Sea
Merchant Navy
Address: 12 Carthusian Street, London EC1M 6EZ
Email: enquiry@careersatsea.org
Website: www.careersatsea.org
Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Tel: 0845 6040520
Website: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/royal-fleet-auxiliary
Ship Safe Training Group Ltd (SSTG)

Address: The Precinct Office, The Precinct, Rochester, Kent ME1 1SR
Tel: 01634 820820
Email: training@sstg.org
Website: www.sstg.org
Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC)

Address: 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW
Tel: 020 7654 7000
Email: info@ms-sc.org
Website: www.ms-sc.org
Trinity House Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme

Address: Unit G Deacons Marina, Bursledon Bridge, Southampton SO31 8AW
Tel: 023 8040 4607
Email: enquiries@trinityhousetraining.org
Website: www.trinityhousetraining.org
Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB)

Address: 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ
Website: www.mntb.org.uk
Sea Vision UK
Email: enquiries@seavision.org.uk
Website: www.seavision.org.uk
Clyde Marine Training

Scottish enquiries
Address: Kintyre House, 209 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 1HJ
Tel: 0141 4276655
Email: training@clydemarine.com
Website: www.clydemarinetraining.com
Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships

Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/
Sea Cadets
Whether at sea or on land, the Sea Cadets offers young people across the UK amazing opportunities for personal
development - by learning new skills and working in teams - the Sea Cadets offer an environment where young
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people find new confidence and inspiration.
Website: www.sea-cadets.org/
Related Careers
Merchant Navy Rating
Merchant Navy Deck Officer
Merchant Navy Engineer Officer
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Merchant Navy Electro-Technical Officer

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Engineer Officers

Personal Qualities and Skills

An interest in electrical and electronic control and power systems.

Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Demand for engineer officers is steady.

passenger and cruise liners

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on shipping lines' websites.

Entry Routes and Training

The following subject areas are most relevant:

South Tyneside College offers a Foundation Degree in Marine Electrical/Electronics.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

A minimum of 120 UCAS points.

Alternatives to A levels include:

BTEC level 3 qualifications.

To enter a relevant HNC/HND or foundation degree, you'll usually need:

1 A level. Science subjects, such as physics will be useful.

Alternatives to A levels include:

BTEC level 3 qualifications.

Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.

18% of Merchant Navy engineer officers are self-employed.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Ship Safe Training Group Ltd (SSTG)

Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC)

Trinity House Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme

Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB)

Clyde Marine Training

Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships

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