Port Skills and Safety

Job Description and Activities

A Marine Supervisor’s role is to supervise marine operatives in their port and ensure that the team’s work is done safely and to the requirements of the port and its customers. The activities undertaken by a Marine Supervisor normally include the following:

• Supervising the operation of harbour craft – in ports where operatives are required to crew harbour craft, the Marine Supervisor would be responsible for the operation of the vessel and supervising the work of the craft, which could involve laying navigation buoys, clearing approach channels or transferring marine pilots onto vessels waiting to enter the port.
• Supervising safety – ports can be dangerous places in which to work. It is normally the responsibility of the Marine Supervisor to ensure that the immediate working area is safe to work, and that the port operative is wearing relevant safety equipment and working safely.

The Working Environment

Marine Supervisors should be fit and able to work at height or on the water. They should have good leadership and communication skills. Working hours and conditions typically include regular unsocial hours.

Salary

A Marine Supervisor’s salary can range from £18,000 to £35,000, depending on experience and the size and location of their port.

Entry Requirements

Many people are promoted to the role of Marine Supervisor from marine team leader or operative. Increasingly however, qualifications are important. An N/SVQ level 3 in Supervision of Port Operations – with a pathway for Marine Supervision – exists for both those already working in the ports industry and those wishing to begin their career as a supervisor.

Career Development

Career Development opportunities exist for a marine supervisor to become a marine pilot. Generally experience as a ship’s master is required for marine pilotage, but a foundation degree is being developed in Marine Pilotage. It is possible to branch into other fields, such as VTS, General or Passenger Operations Manager, but only with relevant experience for these roles.