professional course · beyond the ladder

Merchant Navy Career Notes

Beyond the ladder: an overview of the merchant navy, the STCW route for cargo ships, tankers, ferries and cruise ships. Career guidance and overview notes, not exam preparation: officer exams are far more extensive. An extra course, not a rung on the ladder.

The merchant navy is a separate STCW route from yachting, for cargo ships, tankers, ferries and cruise ships. These are career guidance and overview notes, not exam preparation: merchant officer exams are far more extensive. The course is optional and runs in parallel with the RYA ladder, so finishing the ladder counts in full without it. Where rules differ, the notes say when something is UK (MCA) or France specific.