Marine Pilot - Trainee

Port of London Authority; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 73,297 - 130,387; Full time

Job summary

The Port of London Authority seeks a Marine Pilot - Trainee for its Gravesend headquarters. This role involves providing navigational advice, managing bridge duties, and ensuring safe operations. Candidates should hold a Masters Unlimited Certificate and live within an hour of Gravesend.

The starting salary is £73,297 during training and can progress to £130,387. Excellent communication and IT skills are essential, while knowledge of tug operations and the river Thames is desirable.

Qualifications

• Eligible to work in the UK and live within one hour of Gravesend headquarters.
• Experience with tug operations or working aboard commercial vessels is desirable.
• Knowledge of the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code and the river Thames is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide navigational advice to vessel masters.
• Support vessel masters' communication with personnel and vessels.
• Manage navigation and conduct bridge duties.
• Record and submit passage plans.
• Coordinate tug activity.
• Uphold the reputation of the organization by delivering safe operations.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Fluency in English

Good spatial awareness

Decisive and confident

Team player with IT skills

Education

STCW II/2 Masters Unlimited Certificate of Competency

ENG1 medical certificate

Full current driving licence

Job description

Find out more information relating to our ‘Marine Pilot – Trainee’ role and training plan.

Minimum Requirements

• Be eligible to work in the UK – find out more about eligibility
• Hold a STCW II/2 Masters Unlimited Certificate of Competency, or have achieved this by the time of training commencement if successful (evidence of notice of eligibility will be required)
• Hold an unrestricted ENG1 medical certificate (or equivalent)
• Hold a full current driving licence
• Be an excellent communicator and fluent in English, in particular when using VHF
• Have good spatial awareness
• Be decisive and able to act confidently
• Be a team player with good IT skills
• You must live within one hour travelling time to our Gravesend headquarters

Desirable skills

• Experience of tug operations (berthing & unberthing)
• Experience of working aboard a variety of commercial vessels
• Knowledge of the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code
• Local knowledge of the river Thames

One or more of these skills would be highly desirable, however training will be provided for the right candidate.

Key Accountabilities

• Providing clear navigational advice and information on regulatory requirements to vessel masters
• Supporting vessel masters in their communication with personnel and other vessels
• Conduct of navigation and bridge management duties
• Recording and submitting passage plans
• Coordinating tug activity
• Upholding the reputation of the Port of London Authority in the delivery of safe operations and excellent customer service

Salary: Marine Pilot - Trainee starting salary - £73,297 (6‑month training period). Salary will increase with pilot progression. Pilot Class IV – £92,269 up to Pilot Class I – £130,387.

Our interview process

• Submit application
• Screening call
• Interview & simulator test
• Interview outcome within two weeks

Candidates must supply a CV with a covering letter and provide answers to screening questions. If your application meets our first‑stage screening criteria, you may be invited to an online interview to explore your suitability for the role further. If your application is successful, you will be invited to a face‑to‑face interview at our headquarters in Gravesend, Kent. This will include a 1‑hour interview of competency‑based questions and a 1‑hour ship simulator assessment.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.