As a member of the team who sails the ship, you’ll be indispensable to the smooth running of some of the most advanced warships on the planet. And from the minute you join you’ll be on your way to becoming a professional sailor. Seaman Specialists experience a true life at sea. From navigation to guarding your ship in port, your seamanship will help protect our nation’s interests – wherever you are in the world.
Seaman Specialist
You’ll gain the specialist skills needed to steer the ship, act as lookout and communicate with other ships.
Start your application
This role is classed as a RBP Warfare Rating. As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interest- £25,200 - £62,073
- No qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Warfare
- Rating level
Role details
- Steer your ship, act as lookout, and communicate with other vessels.
- Moor, secure and guard your ship when in port.
- Operate smaller weapons like General Purpose Machine Guns.
- Drive fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) in all conditions.
- A starting salary of at least £25,200
- Increasing up to £62,073 as a WO1 basic pay depending on skills and experience as your career progresses
- Civilian-recognised Martine Coastguard Agency (MCA) accreditation
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
Qualifications you'll gain
- GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or a degree
- MCA accreditation
Skills you'll develop
- Advanced seamanship skills, valued far beyond the Naval Service
- Technical skills including signaling, sailing, mooring and operating machine guns
- You must be aged 16 to 39
- No qualifications are required for this role
- A National of the United Kingdom, a Commonwealth citizen or Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Willing to learn new skills with different types of equipment
- A love of teamwork
- A passion for life at sea
- A sense of adventure
I play a big part in keeping the ship going, and get involved in all sorts of operations, from replenishment at sea, to crewing our speedboat.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day one
Go to sea, work towards Local Boats Crew Endorsement (Bowman)
Year one
Complete Sections 1 & 2 of the Able Seaman Training Taskbook
First promotion
Pass annual tests, get promoted to Able Seaman Specialist 1
Second promotion
Qualify as Coxswain, pass courses, become Leading Hand
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
- Interview
- Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
- Start training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
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