ST1333Level 4v1.0Approved For Delivery

Ship’s master – less than 500 gross tonnage near coastal

Transport and logistics · Transport

Duration

48 months

OTJ Hours

835

Funding Band

£27,000

KSBs

87

Occupational Summary

A Level 4 apprenticeship for Master, Ship's captain or Skipper prepares the apprentice to take charge of a vessel under 500 gross tonnage operating in near‑coastal waters. The apprentice commands navigation and safety at sea and in harbour, makes decisions on collision avoidance, security and environmental protection, ensures the safety of personnel on deck and in the engine room, maintains accurate records of notable events, and ensures statutory compliance with STCW and MCA Master Certificate of Competence requirements. They balance safety with owners' operational priorities, delegate and monitor tasks, supervise maintenance of navigational and lifesaving equipment, and respond to routine, non‑routine and emergency scenarios while working in variable patterns of daywork or watches.

This programme includes 87 knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), typically lasts 48 months and has a maximum funding of £27,000. End-point assessment is by project report and presentation with questions. These concise facts (KSB count, duration, funding and EPA method) define the structure of the Level 4 Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal apprenticeship.

View official Skills England source text

This occupation is found in a wide range of specialist vessels, both commercial and military, carrying cargo or passengers, notably Royal Navy landing craft, tugs, fishing boats, commercial yachts and workboats. These vessels work close to the shore, in waters designated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as "Near Coastal": "an area of operation restricted to 150 miles from a safe haven on the coast of the UK and 30 miles from Ireland". Vessels vary considerably in their size, type and use, therefore the responsibilities of a Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal will also vary between different vessels. The broad purpose of the occupation is to take charge of a vessel's safety and navigation at sea and in harbour as the most senior rank on board a vessel. This is achieved by making decisions about the safe navigation, collision avoidance and security of the vessel, ensuring both the safety of anyone working on the outside decks or in the engine room, and for the protection of the environment. The Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal is also responsible for keeping an accurate record of notable events. All activities undertaken comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeepers convention (STCW) through the acquisition of a Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Master Certificate of Competence. Safety and navigational responsibilities of the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal will need to be balanced with the business priorities of the vessel's owner, whether they are commercial or other (e.g. public protection in the case of the Royal Navy). A Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal can have a varied work pattern, they can work for several weeks at a time on board or at sea, working at any time of day or night, or may be on board for shorter periods, returning home each week or even each night. Depending on the operation and type of vessel, the day may be split into daywork or watches (shifts) or may be determined by hours of rest requirements when the vessel has a smaller crew or non-continuous operations, for example towage. A Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal may work both day and night at sea and in port seven days a week, in all weathers, and sleeping on board, followed by a similar length of time on leave, though the detail varies between different types of vessels, and different employers. The role of the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal includes the command management function with responsibility for the safety of the vessel, its personnel, tasks to be performed and the environment. It covers the assurance of the full range of statutory and relevant industry codes compliance. Even when not on duty (off watch) the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal has the responsibility to act during emergencies to ensure the safety of the crew, vessel and cargo. A Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal also has responsibilities for the supervised maintenance of navigational and safety equipment, and life-saving and fire-fighting appliances and to maintain and operate the vessel in support of the owner's objectives. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the other navigational and engineering officers and crew (depending on the size of the vessel) onboard. They may also interact with other professionals onboard their own vessel who are not members of the crew, such as armed forces on board a Royal Navy vessel, technicians or industrial personnel on an offshore wind Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV), and also seafarers on board other vessels, including pilots. Aside from onboard colleagues, the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal may interact with colleagues on fixed structures at sea (e.g. oil platforms or offshore wind turbines) and ashore, including owners and their representatives, organisation senior managers, port and navigational authorities, coastguard officers and other Search and Rescue professionals, Classification Societies, insurers, and the regulator. The Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal also interacts with other stakeholders about vessel position, for instance with regional maritime authorities’ Port and Vessel Traffic Service interfaces and with other shipping and marine users nearby. They may also liaise with other organisations that receive services provided as part of operations. This could mean, for instance, co-ordinating with the team aboard a renewable, oil or gas platform, or assisted vessel in respect to a tug. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for controlling the vessel throughout their duty onboard, having overall responsibility, though may delegate authority to other members of the crew on occasion. The Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal will effectively delegate duties and monitor successful completion of all tasks, working with a small team or alone on the bridge, and on the rest of the vessel, depending very much on its size and purpose. Responsibilities include the safe embarkation or mooring / anchorage of a vessel and the safe handling of a vessel while it is engaged in other tasks, such as towing or pushing other vessels, fishing, or landing/transfer of personnel. Successful conduct of the vessel includes effective delegation of duties, conducting of briefings and toolbox talks, and de-briefings with positive feedback monitoring following completion of tasks. Regarding safety and protection of the marine environment the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal must work with the legal requirements set by both national and international bodies. During normal operations, and in emergencies the Ship’s Master – Less than 500 Gross Tonnage Near Coastal has full responsibility for safety on board. They must undertake suitable responses as a result of their applied knowledge in relation to vessel manoeuvring, anticipations and reactions to a range of routine, non-routine and contingency scenarios, for example man-overboard recovery, fire-fighting, engine failure.

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What's in the Delivery Pack?

Every section is tailored specifically to the ST1333 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.

KSB Interpretations

Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour

EPA Preparation

End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance

Delivery Risks

Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs

Delivery Model Options

Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches

On/Off-the-Job Mapping

Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace

Initial Assessment & RPL

Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation

English, Maths & Digital

Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance

Employer Engagement Guide

Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance

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Qualifications & Recognition

Mandated Qualifications

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Personal Survival Techniques (Level 2)

STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (Level 2)

STCW Elementary First Aid (Level 2)

STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (Level 2)

STCW Advanced Firefighting (Level 2)

STCW Medical First Aid (Level 2)

STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (Level 2)

STCW Designated security duties (DSD) (Level 2)

Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) General Operators Certificate (GOC) (Level 3)

Navigation Aids, Equipment and Simulator Training (NAEST (O)) (Level 3)

Human Element, Leadership and Management “HELM(O)” certificate (operator level) (Level 3)

Human Element, Leadership and Management “HELM(M)” certificate (management level) (Level 3)

Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competence (Level 3)

Professional Recognition

The Nautical InstituteMember (MNI)Full

English & Maths

English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules .

Typical Job Titles

MasterShip's captainSkipper

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge

42
  • K1: Master’s over-riding authority as defined by the International Safety Management (ISM) code.
  • K2: Flag state and international regulations: International Convention for the Safety of life at sea (SOLAS), International ...
  • K3: Audit requirements, including, port state control, flag states and classification society.
  • K4: Company’s safety management procedures: Safety Management System (SMS), reporting procedures and internal audit requirem...
  • K5: Crew certification, composition and requirements by rank or position.
  • + 37 more items

Skills

39
  • S1: Safely navigate vessel to meet operational and customer requirements.
  • S2: Manage the safe conduct of navigation of the passage, including use of autopilot system.
  • S3: Manage all aspects of navigational information.
  • S4: Select steering method according to prevailing environmental conditions.
  • S5: Implement performance checks and tests of navigation systems.
  • + 34 more items

Behaviours

6
  • B1: Establishes a safe working environment and practices that foster a positive safety culture.
  • B2: Committed to maintaining and enhancing competence of self and others through CPD.
  • B3: Takes ownership of the Master’s responsibilities and work of self and others.
  • B4: Being calm and effective under pressure.
  • B5: Actively seeks to minimise negative environmental impact and waste.
  • + 1 more items

Duties (14)

1

Take charge as Master of a navigational watch at sea, ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew by taking decisions on navigation such as avoidance of collision with other vessels, and safe navigation of natural hazards

2

Ensure a proper watch (i.e. lookout) is kept at all times during the watch

3

Take charge as Master in harbour, ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew, including when embarking and disembarking, and loading and unloading stores / equipment / cargo

4

Ensure the vessel maintains a safe course and all orders and directions are carried out effectively

5

Direct operations in addition to navigation and safety, such as cargo operations where the Master is responsible for delegating duties to pursue these aims and takes responsibility for the actions of the crew

6

Manoeuvre the vessel safely, commonly in busy waters, taking account of weather, sea state and the need to provide effective support to the vessel's business

7

Maintain effective communications with all parties onboard and ashore throughout the watch

8

Comply with all relevant laws and regulations, and with organisational procedures, including completing records as required

9

Monitor crew fatigue throughout the watch and take action to ensure that those on duty are capable of performing their duties

10

Take charge of a response team during an emergency, including communication with emergency services, search and rescue coordinators and crew. Emergency response will be led by the Master. Use the Safety Management System processes where instructed

11

Work within the organisation's business constraints, while ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew

12

Ensure that safety equipment is in good order ready for immediate use, and in compliance with appropriate regulations

13

Prepare to transfer the watch responsibility at handover by briefing the incoming officers to provide them situational awareness and identification of navigational and operational hazards

14

Prepare to accept the watch responsibility at handover by attaining good situational awareness and identification of navigational and operational hazards before formal transfer

End-Point Assessment

Assessment Plan

Type: HTML

View assessment plan

Version & Source

Version
1.0
Approved for delivery
Last changed
19 Feb 2025
Earliest start
19 Feb 2025
Approved for delivery
19 Feb 2025
EQA Provider
Ofqual
Sector Subject Area
4.3 Transportation operations and maintenance
Trailblazer
TB0718
Last checked
11 Mar 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST1333 standard?

The Ship’s master – less than 500 gross tonnage near coastal apprenticeship has 42 knowledge items, 39 skills, and 6 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.

How long is the Ship’s master – less than 500 gross tonnage near coastal apprenticeship?

The typical duration is 48 months, with a maximum funding band of £27,000.

What does a delivery guide for ST1333 include?

The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST1333.

Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.