Marine Pilot - Trainee

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

Minimum requirements

To apply to be a Port of London Authority Trainee Pilot you must:

• 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 license
• 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 I.T. skills

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

Some of the key accountabilities of our Pilots:

• 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 - £70,471 (7-month training period).

Salary will increase with pilot progression.

Pilot Class IV - £ 88,712 up to Pilot Class I – £125,360

Our interview process:

1. Submit application

Candidates must supply a CV with a covering letter and provide answers to screening questions.

2. Interview & simulator test

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.

3. Interview outcome

Within two weeks of your interview, you will receive an outcome. If you have been successful, it is at this point you will receive a conditional job offer and we will conduct our pre-employment checks.

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.