This apprenticeship will be retired on 12 November 2024. Current apprentices will be able to complete their programme. Although this apprenticeship is being retired, the occupation remains on the Occupational Map for potential use as the basis of another technical education product.

Overview of the role

Enforce regulations and industry codes of practice in a particular port, harbour or marina in order to ensure the safety of vessel navigation, the security of the harbour, the protection of the marine environment, and the safe operation of the port facilities.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the maritime sector in ports, harbours and marinas of varying size, from a major gateway for international trade to a single jetty jutting out into a river or sea. A port is a location on the coast that can be used to load and unload cargo; a harbour is a place on the coast where vessels may seek shelter; a marina is a port for leisure craft. Ports are used for a variety of purposes including recreation, commercial trade and defence. Employers range from private, trust, the state and local authorities.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to enforce regulations and industry codes of practice in a particular port, harbour or marina in order to ensure the safety of vessel navigation, the security of the harbour, the protection of the marine environment, and the safe operation of the port facilities. The Harbour Master is accountable to the Duty Holder (a person whose sole responsibility is to ensure that the port complies with the Port Marine Safety Code) for the safety of navigation within the harbour jurisdiction and to the Board for marine governance. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with ship masters, enforcement officers, stakeholders, tenants, members of the public, agents, customers, marine pilots as well as port operations and commercial staff.

The occupation is found both in office-based environments as well as outside in all weathers and may be conducted both on and off the water. Harbour Masters hold ultimate decision-making responsibility at all times, day or night, but may delegate authority to their deputies and/or assistants. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation leads a team of marine employees who may deputise or assist in undertaking the responsibilities of managing the harbour with delegated duties in the absence of the Harbour Master. A Deputy Harbour Master will be empowered with the full authority of the Harbour Master when deputising in the absence of the Harbour Master; an Assistant Harbour Master will have areas of responsibility defined by the Harbour Master and report directly to the Deputy Harbour Master or Harbour Master. Harbour Masters are empowered by statute to issue Directions and Notices to Mariners to ensure the safety of all harbour users, to review, implement and enforce policy applicable to the area of jurisdiction. They investigate marine accidents and incidents and can make recommendations in order to improve safety.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for running a port through powers and responsibilities granted by statute. The Harbour Master has the power to permit vessels to enter or leave the port, as well as overseeing vessel traffic movement in the port approach and in the port area. More generally, Harbour Masters oversee the planning and execution of port marine operations such as designating where vessels should lie within the harbour, vessel traffic management services, the provision of pilotage services, conservancy and any other marine-related operation. They work in close cooperation with commercial partners to ensure the maximum utilisation of port facilities as well as co-ordinating and managing responses to port incidents and emergency situations.

PLEASE NOTE - the use of the word 'port' throughout this standard refers to ports, harbours, jetties and marinas.

Typical job titles include:

Assistant dock master Assistant harbour master Deputy dock master Deputy harbour master Dock master Harbour master Marina manager Pilot operations manager Vessel traffic services manager

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Manage the safety of navigation in a port in accordance with local, national and international legislation and industry codes of practice. This includes facilitating the safe and efficient use of the harbour; conducting marine risk assessments; producing, documenting, operating and reviewing port marine safety systems and policies and delegating authority.

K1 K2

S1

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 2 Produce port marine policies, plans, procedures and systems using structured methodology, this includes development, review, stakeholder consultation and responding to new information.

K3 K4 K5 K6 K7

S2

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 3 Uphold, review and revise powers conferred by local, national and international legislation. This includes conducting periodic and 'new information' based reviews of powers. It also covers application for new local powers and the appropriateness of local regulation.

K8 K9

S3 S4

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 4 Develop and operate marine enforcement policy, disseminate the policy to stakeholders, undertake enforcement, including prosecution and administrative action.

K10 K11 K12

S5

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 5 Report and investigate marine incidents including: compliance with regulatory reporting requirements; producing and communicating findings; proposing and implementing remedial action.

K5 K13 K14

S6 S7 S8

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 6 Determine the need for and scope of, port pilotage services based on a formal risk assessment.

K2 K23 K24

S14 S15 S16

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 7 Determine the need and scope of port vessel traffic services based on a formal risk assessment.

K23 K25

S15 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 8 Manage conservancy, aids to navigation, dredging, undertaking hydrographic surveys and other marine activities including: operating and administering port recreational and other harbour office activities and port facilities through policies, directions, guidance, licensing and port user consultation and engagement.

K15 K16 K17

S9 S10 S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 9 Plan for and manage port emergencies and periods of disruption including the determination of potential navigational and non-navigational emergencies; the preparation, exercising and operation of a port emergency response plan; discharging responsibilities under civil contingencies legislation; contributing to business continuity; responding to marine pollution.

K5 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22

S12 S13

B6 B7 B8

Duty 10 Manage the port marine environmental status within the port, harbour or marina's jurisdiction, including waste management, marine licensing, ballast water management and the protection of wildlife.

K1 K32 K33 K34 K35 K36

S27 S28

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 11 Manage port security including: assessing port security needs in consultation with affected stakeholders; the establishment, operation, maintenance and review of appropriate security; cooperation with relevant agencies; compliance with regulatory security requirements.

K37 K38 K39

S29 S30

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 12 Manage all marine employees, including: identifying employee numbers and skill levels necessary to deliver the port marine services; managing employee recruitment, training and performance.

K5 K40 K41 K42

S31 S32 S33

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 13 Contribute to strategic port management including: developing, contributing to and implementing port business; management of non-routine assets and infrastructure; managing projects; operating a port marine budget; change management; quality management; customer service.

K43 K44 K45

S29 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38 S39

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 14 Manages an efficient port pilotage service including the development, operation and review of a pilotage service, pilot recruitment, selection, training and certification and the development, promulgation and operation of pilotage directions.

K26 K27 K28

S19 S20 S21

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 15 Manage port vessel traffic services to maintain navigational safety, including the control of the carriage of dangerous and polluting substances.

K1 K29 K30 K31

S22 S23 S24 S25 S26

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 16 Manage marine employee health and safety in their respective workplaces, both on and off the water. This includes conducting a risk assessment; producing, documenting, operating and reviewing safety systems.

K46 K47

S40 S41

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to marine safety management Back to Duty

K2: Marine Safety Management Systems which ensure that every port complies with mandatory rules and regulations and follow codes of practice and guidelines Back to Duty

K3: Policies required to underpin a Marine Safety Management System Back to Duty

K4: How to evaluate evidence to support sound judgement Back to Duty

K5: Effective oral and written communication strategies and a working knowledge of the terminology used in this occupation Back to Duty

K6: How to commission and implement an independent internal and an independent external audit Back to Duty

K7: Principles of change control and auditable record keeping Back to Duty

K8: National and international marine legislation applicable to ports Back to Duty

K9: Local legislation, bylaws and direction applicable to ports and the processes for updating these Back to Duty

K10: How to develop and operate marine enforcement policies and procedures Back to Duty

K11: How to collect evidence, take statements and initiate criminal prosecutions in-line with national regulations Back to Duty

K12: Enforcement options available as an alternative to prosecution Back to Duty

K13: Current regulatory reporting requirements and guidance relating to marine accidents/incidents Back to Duty

K14: How to conduct systematic, well-documented investigations and produce remedial recommendations based on report findings Back to Duty

K15: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to marine conservancy Back to Duty

K16: How to use formal Risk Assessment to establish the need for activities including (but not limited to) surveying, dredging, the use of Aids to Navigation, marking and wreck recovery Back to Duty

K17: Operating procedures and the administration involved in port recreational activities Back to Duty

K18: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to emergencies and pollution incidents Back to Duty

K19: The powers and working practices of statutory and other organisations that may be concerned with responding to a port emergency or pollution incident Back to Duty

K20: The nature of the interaction between the port and statutory or other organisations, including the extent of the port's obligation to cooperate on emergencies or pollution incidents Back to Duty

K21: How to develop and manage effective relationships with statutory and other organisations (including the media) involved in an emergency or pollution incident Back to Duty

K22: Principles of business continuity planning Back to Duty

K23: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to pilotage, vessel traffic services and navigation Back to Duty

K24: What alternate risk management and safety management systems might typically be required when a pilotage service is assessed to be unnecessary Back to Duty

K25: What alternate risk management and safety management systems might typically be required when a vessel tracking service is assessed to be unnecessary Back to Duty

K26: The powers and working practices of a Competent Harbour Authority and other organisations that may be concerned with pilotage services Back to Duty

K27: How a pilotage service is typically administered Back to Duty

K28: Procedures for promoting and conducting pilotage directions Back to Duty

K29: The powers and working practices of a Competent Harbour Authority and other organisations that may be concerned with vessel traffic services Back to Duty

K30: How a vessel traffic service is typically administered Back to Duty

K31: The nature, purpose, powers and working practices of statutory and other organisations that may be concerned with vessel traffic services Back to Duty

K32: What port activities are likely to have an impact on the environment, and what adverse consequences could potentially arise from those activities Back to Duty

K33: The types and classification of port environmental and conservational features Back to Duty

K34: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to the management of the port environment, including requirements for licenses and consents Back to Duty

K35: Typical conservation measures a port might use to protect the environment within its jurisdiction Back to Duty

K36: The typical format, content and issues addressed in maintenance and capital dredging policies and plans Back to Duty

K37: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to port security Back to Duty

K38: Operating procedures and the administration involved in a local port security plan Back to Duty

K39: How to design and run a port security exercise Back to Duty

K40: How a marine department is typically constituted and managed Back to Duty

K41: Who the stakeholders and workforce representatives are in the marine organisation Back to Duty

K42: Current employment regulations, guidance and codes affecting marine employees Back to Duty

K43: The principle revenue and expenditure streams of the port and the contribution made to port business by the marine function Back to Duty

K44: The factors likely to affect the financial performance of a port Back to Duty

K45: The principles and practice of effective change management, quality management, customer service, business networking and project management Back to Duty

K46: Current international and national regulations, codes of practice and guidance relating to health & safety in the workplace Back to Duty

K47: The port marine operations and activities typically undertaken in the physical environment for which the harbour master has responsibility and authority and/or which might impact on safety Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Develop, operate, evaluate and amend in light of new information a fully functional Marine Safety Management System Back to Duty

S2: Develop and implement auditable port marine policies, plans and procedures based on sound evidence and delivers an inclusive and effective service, consulting with stakeholders who might be affected Back to Duty

S3: Implement a system for formally reviewing the appropriateness and effectiveness of local and nationally conferred legislation at pre-defined periods Back to Duty

S4: Identify and apply for new powers as needed to facilitate safe and efficient port marine activities Back to Duty

S5: Operate an Enforcement Policy in line with statutory and local powers and industry good practice including: - systematically collecting, preserving and documenting evidence and witness statements - take enforcement action up to criminal prosecution - initiate criminal prosecution Back to Duty

S6: Conduct investigations; systematically collect, preserve and documenting evidence and witness statements Back to Duty

S7: Communicate findings and proposals to appropriate stakeholders Back to Duty

S8: Implement and monitor remedial action appropriate to incident findings Back to Duty

S9: Manage the provision, maintenance and inspection of aids to navigation Back to Duty

S10: Develop a comprehensive method for the provision of timely and accurate navigational safety information and warnings to maintain the safe passage of vessels Back to Duty

S11: Ensure accurate hydrographic surveys are undertaken, communicate the information to affected stakeholders and maintain accurate hydrographic and hydrological records Back to Duty

S12: In consultation with affected stakeholders, develop, exercise review and amend in light of new information an integrated Response Plan for port emergencies. Communicate the plan to affected stakeholders Back to Duty

S13: In consultation with affected stakeholders, develop, exercise, review and amend in light of new information, a port counter-pollution plan to minimise navigational, environmental, commercial, and reputational impact. Communicate the plan to affected stakeholders Back to Duty

S14: Determine the need for, and scope of, port pilotage services based on a formal, navigational risk assessment Back to Duty

S15: Produce documented findings and recommendations in line with accepted practice. Circulate findings and outputs to affected stakeholders Back to Duty

S16: Identify and implement suitable and sufficient alternate navigational risk management measures where a pilotage service is assessed to be unnecessary Back to Duty

S17: Determine the need for, and scope of, vessel traffic services based on a formal, navigational risk assessment Back to Duty

S18: Identify and implement suitable and sufficient alternate navigational risk management measures where a vessel traffic service is assessed to be unnecessary Back to Duty

S19: Develop, comprehensive procedures and rules for the administration of pilots and operation of a pilotage service in consultation with stakeholders and communicate findings and outputs to affected stakeholders Back to Duty

S20: Manage a pilotage service appropriate to the port, that takes account of pilotage regulations, guidance and codes Back to Duty

S21: Review procedures and rules for the administration of pilots and operation of a pilotage service periodically and in light of new information Back to Duty

S22: Develop comprehensive procedures for the operation of a vessel traffic service or local port information service appropriate to the port, in consultation with stakeholders and communicate them to affected stakeholders Back to Duty

S23: Implement a vessel traffic service or local port information service appropriate to the port that takes account of local context, regulations, guidance and codes Back to Duty

S24: Review procedures and rules for the operation of a vessel traffic service or local port information service periodically and in light of new information Back to Duty

S25: Manage the potential risk posed by dangerous and polluting substances and dangerous vessels Back to Duty

S26: Manage (and/or monitor) the safe and effective provision, of other marine services such as towage and mooring Back to Duty

S27: Develop, operate, evaluate and amend in light of new information, a fully functional port environmental Safety Management System which incorporates management of maintenance and capital dredging and port waste Back to Duty

S28: Assess the risk and mitigation effect of conservation measures Back to Duty

S29: Conduct a port security assessment in consultation with stakeholders to establish the type and level of security required and develop appropriate port security policies and plans Back to Duty

S30: Manage port security and cooperate with enforcement and other relevant agencies to ensure effective port security, complying with regulatory security requirements Back to Duty

S31: Assess operational needs to identify the resourcing structure and skill levels required to deliver a safe and efficient service Back to Duty

S32: Manage employees, including (but not limited to):- - recruitment and selection - training - professional development - performance management - succession planning Back to Duty

S33: Develop and implement effective employee communications, including dialogue with workforce representatives Back to Duty

S34: Develop and manage a port marine budget Back to Duty

S35: Plan, lead and implement change within the Harbour Master's jurisdiction Back to Duty

S36: Contribute to quality management processes relating to port management Back to Duty

S37: Deliver effective customer service relating to port management Back to Duty

S38: Promote the port in business and other forums Back to Duty

S39: Manage projects to quality, time and cost Back to Duty

S40: Conduct a formal risk assessment to identify correctly all hazards and levels of risk associated with land-side marine employee work place activities, in consultation with stakeholders Back to Duty

S41: Operate a formally documented Safety Management System (SMS) ensuring controls are monitored and maintained and risks remain as low as reasonably practicable Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Is self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and with integrity Back to Duty

B2: Takes personal responsibility for their actions and shows resilience Back to Duty

B3: Works well under pressure and to tight deadlines, delivering quality results Back to Duty

B4: Leads by example, demonstrating impeccable safe behaviours at all times Back to Duty

B5: Encourages team effort and develops and interdependent culture Back to Duty

B6: Implements best practice in technical and safety management Back to Duty

B7: Promotes and adopts a safety culture within the organisation, where challenges are welcomed and valued Back to Duty

B8: Takes responsibility for effective problem-solving, emergency response and safeguarding the company's reputation Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.


Additional details

Occupational Level:

6

Duration (months):

48

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 6
Degree: non-degree qualification
Reference: ST0765
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 26/08/2021
Approved for delivery: 18 December 2019
Route: Transport and logistics
Typical duration to gateway: 48 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £23000
LARS Code: 527
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: AB Ports, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Tarbert Harbour Authority, Shoreham Port Authority, Dover Harbour Board, Peel Ports, Cromarty Firth Port Authority, The Port of Blyth, Tor Bay Harbour Authority, Port of Tyne

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.0 Approved for delivery 18/12/2019 Not set Not set

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