Murray Macpherson
Maritime
Trainee Deckhand and Deck Officer Cadet programme (SCQF Level 7)
“The Trainee Deckhand course has prepared me well for the first 17 weeks of training, I am actually surprised how much of the basics I already know.”
Murray Macpherson “always had a thing for boats” but it took him a while to consider opportunities within the maritime industry for his own personal career choice.
He said: “I left school in year four not really knowing what I wanted to do and Covid hit. A family member worked for CalMac ferries which got me thinking about the Royal Navy and as I started to explore other avenues I came across the Deck Officer Cadet programme.
“I had the qualifications but I was too late to join the intake for the year. However I noticed that the Trainee Deckhand course was available – this looked like it would provide me with the basic skills and know-how that would be useful for the cadetship programme. I was very aware that I had no real “sea experience” apart from an overnight crossing from Amsterdam to Newcastle so I thought this would be hugely beneficial.”
The Trainee Deckhand course is a designed for new entrants to obtain the skills to enter the Merchant Navy, offshore supply and standby vessel fleet and the fishing industry.
Murray successfully completed the 12 week course and gained entry onto the Deck Officer Cadet programme. He is sponsored by Tidewater, who operate fleets of Offshore Support Vessels.
The programme is for those who would like to serve as a Deck Officer on seagoing ships of the Merchant Navy. Delivered over 3 years this offers an exciting combination of college-based training and sea phases. Murray is now close to finishing the first phase of his training,
He said: “The Trainee Deckhand course has prepared me well for the first 17 weeks of training, I am actually surprised how much of the basics I already know. We’ve also had to learn in depth computing skills – word, excel and access which I wasn’t expecting.I’m excited to get away to sea on the next phase of the training and see what it’s all about. “
The cadetship comprises of HNC Nautical Science and is at SCQF Level 7. The minimum entry requirements are 4 National 5 passes which must include English, Maths and one Science subject.