Your all-in-one maritime companion

Maritime cadet training is your entry point to a professional seafaring career — the structured bridge between maritime college and your first officer certification. Whether you want to navigate the world’s oceans as a deck officer or keep a vessel’s engines running as a marine engineer, cadetship is where every career at sea begins. This guide covers everything you need to know: how to get in, what to expect on board, how the two tracks compare, and how a cadetship leads to full officer certification.

Additionally, the path is demanding but well-defined. Thousands of seafarers have walked it before you — from cadet to officer of the watch, from engine cadet to engineering officer. If you understand the process and prepare properly, you can too.

What Is a Maritime Cadet?

A maritime cadet is a trainee officer undergoing structured, supervised sea service as part of a recognised officer cadetship programme. Cadets are not simply passengers or observers — they stand watches under the direct supervision of qualified officers, contribute to operational duties, and complete a Training Record Book (TRB) that documents their competence in every area required by the STCW Convention.

Furthermore, there are two distinct cadet tracks, and you must choose one before you start:

Deck Cadets

Deck cadets train in navigation, cargo operations, bridge watchkeeping, and ship handling. Their goal is to qualify as Officer of the Watch (OOW) — STCW Certificate of Competency II/1. They work on the bridge, participate in cargo planning, assist with anchoring and mooring operations, and learn COLREGS, chart work, and GMDSS communications.

Engine Cadets

However, engine cadets train in propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, electrical systems, and engine room watchkeeping. Their goal is to qualify as Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) — STCW Certificate of Competency III/1. They work in the engine room, learn maintenance routines, assist with fuel management, and develop skills in troubleshooting complex mechanical and electrical systems.

Both tracks carry real responsibility on board. You are expected to be engaged, alert, and professional from day one of your first contract.

How to Become a Maritime Cadet: Entry Requirements

In addition, there is no single global entry route — requirements vary by country, flag state, and sponsoring company. However, the following requirements apply broadly across most recognised programmes:

• Academic qualifications: GCSEs or A-levels (UK), or equivalent secondary education in other countries. Science and mathematics are typically required. Some programmes require specific grades in physics, maths, or English.
• Medical fitness: A valid seafarer medical certificate (ENG1 in the UK, or equivalent flag state medical) is mandatory before you set foot on a vessel. Colour vision requirements apply, particularly for deck officer candidates. Read our full guide to the ENG1 Medical Certificate for what to expect.
• Swimming ability: Most maritime academies and cadetship sponsors require proof that you can swim. A minimum distance (typically 200m) is standard.
• Age: Most programmes accept applicants from age 16–18, with upper limits varying by company.
• Background check: Criminal record checks are standard for cadetships involving access to vessels in international trade.

Sponsored vs Self-Sponsored Cadetships

Sponsored cadetships are funded in part or in full by a shipping company. The company pays college fees, provides sea service berths on their vessels, and offers a training allowance. In return, cadets typically commit to a period of service with that company after qualification. Major shipping companies — tanker operators, container lines, bulk carrier fleets — run structured cadetship programmes year-round.

Self-sponsored cadets fund their own college fees and secure sea service independently by applying to shipping companies directly or through crewing agencies. This route offers more flexibility but requires more planning, networking, and personal financial investment. Some self-sponsored cadets receive a higher salary once they secure sea time, as companies are not subsidising their education.

STCW Basic Safety Training: Your First Requirement

How Maritime Cadet Training Begins: STCW BST

Before you can join any commercial vessel, you must complete STCW Basic Safety Training (BST). This is a non-negotiable requirement under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). No BST certificate means no ship — it is that simple.

BST consists of four mandatory modules:

• Personal Survival Techniques (PST): Use of life-saving appliances, survival craft, lifeboat operation, and survival in water. Includes practical pool drills.
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF): Classes of fire, shipboard fire detection and suppression systems, practical firefighting with breathing apparatus and hoses.
• Elementary First Aid (EFA): Basic life support, CPR, wound care, and responding to emergencies when no medical professional is on board.
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR): Safety culture on board, emergency procedures, drug and alcohol policy, and the responsibilities of every crew member.

Maritime cadet training programmes require BST to be completed during the first year at maritime college, before your first sea phase. Most courses run over 5–10 days and include practical assessments. Certificates are valid for five years and must be renewed. For a comprehensive breakdown of STCW requirements, see our complete STCW Certification Guide.

What Does Maritime Cadet Training Involve on Your First Contract?

Your first sea contract as a cadet will likely be 4–6 months on a commercial vessel — a tanker, bulk carrier, container ship, or general cargo vessel, depending on your sponsor or the berth you have secured. Here is what to expect:

Watch Schedules

Notably, cadets stand watches with qualified officers. The standard shipboard watchkeeping pattern is 4 hours on, 8 hours off (e.g., 0000–0400, 0800–1200, 1600–2000), rotating across a small team. In port, watch patterns change to accommodate cargo operations or anchor watches. Fatigue management is taken seriously — you will learn quickly how to manage sleep in a rotating schedule.

Training Record Book (TRB)

Your TRB is your evidence document — the formal record that you have completed the required competencies for your STCW Certificate of Competency. Officers on board sign off tasks as you demonstrate them. Missing TRB entries can delay your qualification, so take it seriously. Keep it updated, organised, and ask for sign-offs promptly.

Mentorship and Assessment

In practice, you will be assigned a supervising officer — typically the Chief Officer (for deck cadets) or Chief Engineer (for engine cadets) — who is responsible for your development. The relationship varies: some are excellent mentors who invest time in your education; others are busy and expect you to be proactive. Either way, show initiative, ask questions, and demonstrate that you want to learn. Your reputation on your first vessel travels further than you might expect in a small industry.

“The cadets who stand out are the ones who treat every watch as an opportunity to learn, not just a box to tick,” says a Chief Officer with 18 years at sea and experience mentoring over 30 cadets across container and tanker fleets. “Show curiosity, stay professional, and the sea will teach you everything.”

Deck Cadet vs Engine Cadet: Career Path Comparison

Both tracks lead to officer certification and long, rewarding careers at sea — but the daily work, environments, and progression routes are quite different. Here is a direct comparison to help you decide:

• Deck Cadet → OOW (STCW II/1) → Second Officer → Chief Officer → Master/Captain
• Engine Cadet → EOOW (STCW III/1) → Fourth Engineer → Second Engineer → Chief Engineer

Deck officers spend most of their time on the bridge — navigating, managing cargo operations, maintaining stability calculations, and communicating with ports and coastguards. Engine officers work primarily in the engine room and control room — maintaining propulsion systems, managing fuel consumption, overseeing planned maintenance, and responding to machinery breakdowns.

If you are drawn to navigation, geography, seamanship, and leading deck crews — choose the deck track. If you prefer engineering, problem-solving, mechanical systems, and a highly technical working environment — the engine track is your path. Both are equally vital to safe ship operations. For more detail on where the deck path leads, read our Second Officer Career Path guide.

From Cadetship to Officer Certification

Completing maritime cadet training successfully unlocks the path to officer certification. Cadetship is not a standalone qualification — it feeds directly into the Officer of the Watch or Engineer Officer of the Watch certificate. Here is how the progression works:

• College phases: Typically 2–3 years alternating between college study and sea phases. Deck and engine cadets study navigation/engineering theory, maritime law, stability, and management.
• Sea service requirement: STCW II/1 (deck OOW) typically requires a minimum of 12 months approved sea service. STCW III/1 (engine EOOW) requires a similar period with sufficient engine room watchkeeping hours.
• Oral examination: In most flag states, after completing college and sea service, candidates must pass an oral examination before a Marine Examiner or MCA examiner (UK) to be awarded their Certificate of Competency.
• First posting as officer: Deck cadets typically qualify as Third or Second Officer; engine cadets qualify as Fourth Engineer. Progression from there follows additional sea service, further STCW endorsements, and management-level certificates.

By contrast, the full journey from cadet to officer takes approximately 3–4 years depending on the programme, flag state, and sea service availability. It is one of the most structured career entry routes in any industry — and one of the most internationally recognised.

Maritime Cadet Salary: What to Expect

Cadet salary varies considerably depending on whether you are sponsored or self-sponsored, the flag state, the shipping company, and the vessel type. As a general guide:

• Sponsored cadets: Typically receive a training allowance rather than a full salary — commonly in the range of $400–$900 per month. The company is subsidising your college fees and sea berth, so the allowance reflects that investment.
• Self-sponsored cadets: May earn higher rates — typically $800–$1,500 per month — because the company is not bearing education costs. Rates vary significantly by company and vessel type.
• Additional benefits: Most cadetships include free food and accommodation on board, which reduces the real cost of living during sea phases considerably.

Moreover, salary is not the primary consideration at cadet level — what matters most is the quality of your sea service, the vessels you sail on, and the officers who mentor you. A well-structured sponsored cadetship on a major fleet will advance your career faster than higher pay on a poorly managed vessel.

Tips for Landing a Sponsored Cadetship

Competition for sponsored maritime cadet training places is real. Major shipping companies receive hundreds of applications for a limited number of berths each intake cycle. Here is what gives candidates an edge:

• Apply early: Many programmes close applications 6–12 months before the intake date. Research opening windows for your target companies and set calendar reminders.
• Get your medical done first: An ENG1 medical certificate (or flag state equivalent) on your application signals that you are serious and ready. Failing a medical late in the process costs everyone time.
• Complete your swimming certificate before applying: Some companies require it at application stage, not just at college entry.

During Your Maritime Cadet Training: What Sponsors Look For

• Research the company’s fleet: Know what vessel types they operate, what trades they run, and why you want to train with them specifically. Generic applications are easy to spot and easy to reject.
• Demonstrate awareness of the maritime industry: Reference the IMO’s work on decarbonisation, STCW amendments, or developments in vessel technology. Show that you are already engaged with the sector.
• Prepare for psychometric testing: Many large shipping companies use aptitude tests (spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, situational judgement) as part of the selection process.
• Maritime cadet programmes to research: Maersk Tankers, Anglo-Eastern, Stena, MSC, MOL, and national seafarer training bodies in the Philippines, India, Greece, and the UK all run recognised programmes.

That said, for authoritative information on STCW training standards and flag state requirements, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) STCW pages are the definitive reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does maritime cadet training take?
Most cadetship programmes take 3–4 years to complete, alternating between college study phases and sea service phases. The exact duration depends on the flag state, the shipping company’s programme structure, and sea service availability.

Do I need a degree to become a maritime cadet?
No — most cadetship programmes do not require a university degree at entry. Secondary school qualifications (GCSEs, A-levels, or equivalent) are typically sufficient. You earn a degree-equivalent Certificate of Competency through the cadetship programme itself at many institutions.

What is the difference between a deck cadet and an engine cadet?
Deck cadets train in navigation, bridge watchkeeping, and cargo operations, progressing toward an Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificate. Engine cadets train in propulsion systems, machinery maintenance, and engine room watchkeeping, progressing toward an Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) certificate. Both tracks lead to senior officer roles with very different but equally important responsibilities.

Is STCW Basic Safety Training mandatory for cadets?
Yes — STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) is a mandatory requirement under international maritime law before any cadet can join a commercial vessel. It covers Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. It is typically completed in the first year at maritime college.

Cadet Pay, Ship Access and Life After Cadetship

How much do maritime cadets earn?
Sponsored cadets typically receive a training allowance of $400–$900 per month, with college fees and accommodation covered. Self-sponsored cadets who arrange their own sea service may earn $800–$1,500 per month depending on the company and vessel type. All cadets receive free food and accommodation on board during sea phases.

Can maritime cadets work on any type of ship?
Sea service can be completed on a wide range of vessel types — bulk carriers, tankers, container ships, general cargo vessels, and offshore support vessels — provided the company’s programme is approved by the relevant flag state maritime authority. Different vessel types offer different training experiences; tanker and container fleets are popular choices for structured cadetship programmes.

What happens after cadetship?
After completing your cadetship sea service and college phases, you sit an oral examination before a Marine Examiner to be awarded your Certificate of Competency. Deck cadets qualify as OOW (STCW II/1); engine cadets qualify as EOOW (STCW III/1). You then join a vessel as a junior officer — typically Third or Second Officer (deck) or Fourth Engineer (engine) — and your career progression begins in earnest.

Conclusion

Specifically, maritime cadetship is a demanding, highly structured, and genuinely rewarding start to a career at sea. The path is clear: choose your track, meet the entry requirements, complete your STCW Basic Safety Training, secure a cadetship berth, and commit to every watch, every task in your TRB, and every officer who is willing to teach you. The maritime industry needs the next generation of officers — and cadetship is how they are built.

Whether you are still researching your options or ready to apply, the opportunities are real. Browse current maritime cadet and entry-level seafarer positions at Seaplify — and take the first step toward your career at sea.

For official maritime standards and further information, visit the International Maritime Organization (IMO).