Explore Marine Surveyor Opportunities with the MCA
Are you an experienced Maritime Professional looking for a challenging and rewarding experience to further your career?
Are you a seafarer looking for your first job ashore or looking for a new role which offers variety and a structured career path?
If so, this is your opportunity to join a diverse team working towards making a difference in maritime safety, and we’d love to hear from you!
Marine surveyor (ship), Adam Kelly
“The role provides a great career path for someone who is ambitious and cares about safety and standards within the industry.”
Technical manager, Abhinav Chaudhary
“I undertook training that included placements at marine offices in Aberdeen, Hull, and Belfast”
Watch this space!
We regularly recruit for Marine Surveyors from a variety of disciplines across the UK.
You can view all of MCA’s roles on Civil Service Jobs, where you can apply, monitor application progress, and view feedback.
Join our versatile team of marine surveyors
No two days are the same for our Marine Surveyors. You could be inspecting a ship in Hull ensuring it meets UK and International Regulations one day, working from home the next, and assessing oral examinations for seafarers the day after.
We have several Marine Surveyor positions available in the Engineer, Naval Architect, Nautical and Ship Surveyor disciplines. Please see the Role Profiles attached below for further information about the responsibilities associated with each role, and apply to the appropriate campaign.
Explore the marine surveyor sectors
Marine surveyor – engineer
The majority of the work undertaken by Marine Surveyors (SEO Surveyor) is common and covers survey and audits of both convention and non-convention vessels. This includes carrying out surveys leading to the issuance of statutory certificates for a variety of ship types such as passenger, cargo, code and fishing vessels. The scope of work also includes inspections of all vessel types both for confirming compliance with regulations under UK and Port State Control requirements. You may also become a qualified auditor carrying out ship and office audits. Further details on this can be found within the relevant roles job description.
Depending on the discipline you may undertake specific tasks based on your experience and underpinning qualifications.
For engineer surveyors (holding a STCW III/2 Chief Engineer unlimited Certificate of Competency ) they undertake examinations of seafarers of all ranks within their areas up to and including Chief Engineer/Electro-Technical Officer. Depending on your experience and area of expertise you may be asked to investigate incidents and provide statements as a subject matter expert.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
The minimum academic qualification required is one of: Engineer Surveyor: MCA Recognised STCW III/2 Chief Engineer unlimited Certificate of Competency. `MCA Recognised’ means certificates issued by a country whose seafarer training is recognised by the UK. A list of those countries can found on our website at www.gov.uk and search MCA CEC. (Those without UK issued STCW Certificates of Competency will need to complete UK LAP training at an early stage after entry).
Marine surveyor – naval architect
The majority of the work undertaken by Marine Surveyors (SEO Surveyor) is common and covers survey and audits of both convention and non-convention vessels. This includes carrying out surveys leading to the issuance of statutory certificates for a variety of ship types such as passenger, cargo, code and fishing vessels. The scope of work also includes inspections of all vessel types both for confirming compliance with regulations under UK and Port State Control requirements. You may also become a qualified auditor carrying out ship and office audits. Further details on this can be found within the relevant roles job description.
Depending on the discipline you may undertake specific tasks based on your experience and underpinning qualifications.
For nautical surveyors (holding a STCW II/2 Master unlimited Certificate of Competency) they undertake examinations of seafarers of all ranks within their areas up to and including master’s. Depending on your experience and area of expertise you may be asked to investigate incidents and provide statements as a subject matter expert.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
The minimum academic qualification required is one of: Nautical Surveyor: MCA Recognised STCW II/2 Master unlimited Certificate of Competency. MCA Recognised means certificates issued by a country whose seafarer training is recognised by the UK. A list of those countries can found on our website at www.gov.uk and search MCA CEC. (Those without UK issued STCW Certificates of Competency will need to complete UK LAP training at an early stage after entry).
Marine surveyor – ship
The majority of the work undertaken by Marine Surveyors (SEO Surveyor) is common and covers survey, inspections and audits of both convention and non-convention vessels. This includes carrying out surveys leading to the issuance of statutory certificates for a variety of ship types such as passenger, cargo, code and fishing vessels. The scope of work also includes inspections of all vessel types both for confirming compliance with regulations under UK and Port State Control requirements. You may also become a qualified auditor carrying out ship and office audits. Further details on this can be found within the relevant roles job description.
Depending on the discipline you may undertake specific tasks based on your experience and underpinning qualifications.
For Ship surveyors there is no unique eligibilities for which you will be trained. Depending on your experience and area of expertise you may be asked to investigate incidents and provide statements as a subject matter expert
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
The minimum academic qualification required is one of: An engineering degree accredited by IMarEST/IMechE as meeting the academic qualifications for Chartered Engineer Applicants without the qualification stated above, may also be eligible if they are Chartered Engineer (C. Eng) (through the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) or Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)), but in such cases evidence of the equivalent level of learning plus relevant marine industry experience will need to have be demonstrated to the satisfaction of an MCA S&I technical review panel.
Marine surveyor – small/non- conventional vessel surveyor (senior HEO surveyor)
Small vessel surveyors (HEO Surveyor) undertake inspections and surveys to issue the statutory certification for non-convention vessels which include small domestic passenger ships, code and fishing vessels. Inspect shoreside facilities such as port waste management facilities, bulk carrier terminals and lifesaving appliance stations. You may also become eligible for undertaking audits and assist other surveyors undertaking inspection of foreign vessels. More details on the role can be found in the job description.
Minimum Requirements Needed:
(a) Nautical surveyor
- fishing vessel class 1 deck certificate of competency
- fishing vessel class 2 certificate of competency by sufficient experience as skipper
- stcw II/3 Master 500GT or above
- master yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, regulation II/2
(b) engineering surveyor
- fishing vessel class 1 engineering certificate of competency
- fishing vessel class 2 engineering certificate of competency supported by sufficient experience
- eoow unlimited coc lll/1- less than 3000GT & less than 9000kW supported by sufficient experience
- chief engineer III/3 less than 3000kW unlimited or above
- chief engineer, stcw convention regulation III/2, certificate of competency – yacht 2 (Y2) or above
(c) ship/naval architect
- hnd or above in a related filed such as nautical science, surveyor
- marine engineering, marine surveying or naval architecture
Applicants without the qualifications stated above, may also be eligible if they are an incorporated engineer (IENG) or registered marine technologist (RMarTech) through the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), but in such cases evidence of the equivalent level of learning plus relevant marine industry experience will need to have be demonstrated to the satisfaction of an MCA S&I technical review panel.
Comprehensive Training for Marine Surveyors
We want our Marine Surveyors to be the very best
In return, we offer full training, specifically designed for the role. The surveyor training will be provided as part of the marine surveyor development scheme – which includes several courses and on-the-job training, delivered by experienced surveyors within your first 12 months in the role.
In addition, a competitive package which includes flexible working patterns, attractive remuneration, and ongoing support to develop a rewarding career that makes a difference and saves lives.
Video transcript unavailable
Key Responsibilities of Marine Surveyors
Some of the typical responsibilities could include, but are not limited to:
- they are inspecting, auditing and surveying ships and maritime ship operators to ensure that they meet UK, EU and international safety, management, welfare, security and anti-pollution regulations. Carrying out the approval of stability information where qualified to do so. When qualified as a Nautical Examiner, undertaking oral examinations to ensure high standards of training and competence among seafarers
- carrying out safety management audits in straightforward and routine cases under the International Safety Management (ISM) code of ship operators and their vessels for ISM Document of Compliance (DOC) & ISM Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
- inspecting ships and port installations in straightforward and routine cases to ensure compliance with International Conventions, EU legislation and UK statutory requirements
- as a qualified Port State Control Officer (PSCO) helping fulfil UK obligations under the Paris MOU Agreement and EU Port State Control Directive in the inspection of foreign registered ships calling at UK ports
Marine Surveyor Locations
Want to find a Marine Surveyor Vacancy near you?
Follow the link below to find out where you could be based.
Understanding Surveyor Recruitment
1. Application
Outlining previous jobs and any qualifications
2. Interview
Short initial video interview to assess your technical knowledge
3. Onboarding
This includes pre-employment checks, CTC and medical
4. Start
Join your marine office and start your career
Your CV
Within your CV, please ensure you outline the following:
- your work experience: company, job title, start-end dates, brief duties
- your education
- highest relevant qualifications
A full UK driving licence and a passport valid for international travel are an essential requirement.
The interview process
If your application meets the requirements, you will be invited to participate in a two-stage interview process.
The first stage is a Microsoft Teams interview, during which we will assess your technical knowledge.
The second stage is an in-person interview, where we will assess both your Civil Service Behaviours and technical knowledge.
Onboarding
Background checks & medical clearance are required.
- pre-employment checks (up to 4 weeks) include right to work, employment history, social media and criminal record checks
- counter terrorism checks (CTC) take an estimated 40 days and require UK residency for the past 3 years
- medicals are required for all marine surveyors
Unlocking Your Benefits
Surveyor training will be provided as part of the Marine Surveyor Development scheme – including several courses and on-the-job training, delivered by experienced surveyors.
In addition, a competitive package which includes flexible working patterns, attractive remuneration, and ongoing support to develop a rewarding career that makes a difference and saves lives.
Be the first to hear when we are recruiting
We don’t have any current vacancies at the moment, but you can sign up for Job Alerts on Civil Service Jobs to be the first to know when we’re next recruiting.