Deck View
Maritime London is a non-profit making organisation, which
promotes UK companies associated with the shipping industry. The
organisation itself is funded by around 100 companies and
organisations from a wide range of disciplines, including
education, broking, insurance and port operations. Maritime
London's primary remit is to ensure that the UK remains at the
forefront of maritime related business.
The Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship (MLOCS) is a
charity which, in association with various companies, offers
funding to enable young people between the ages of 18 - 23 to
undertake the training required to become an officer in the
Merchant Navy. The charity currently has 20 cadets aged between 16
and 23 at various stages of training.
Cadets can choose to follow the Deck Officer or
Engineering officer paths of training, depending upon where their
interest lies.
Once qualified, the cadet will be awarded an HND or degree
and an Officer of the Watch certificate of competency in their
chosen speciality. At this stage qualified cadets will have gained
not only a qualification, but in addition they will be able to
offer valuable sea-going experience, something that will set them
apart from their peers following the more common university
route.
Once the cadetship is complete, there are exiting careers
available at sea within the Merchant Navy as well as shore-based
opportunities within the maritime industry. With the emphasis
placed upon acquiring a broad range of experience onboard a range
of vessel types, the cadet will gain a well-rounded view of the
industry, allowing them to decide which direction is best for
them.
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), via its
Education Trust Fund has sponsored former cadet Richard who is now
OOW and is currently funding Elle Watson, a 20 year old cadet who
began her induction course in January 2015 learning basic
seamanship, fire-fighting, survival and safety skills at the
Warsash Maritime Academy. Once complete she will spend three years
learning via a mixture of sea-based training and classroom learning
and aspires to qualify as a Deck Officer.
Before joining the MLOCS scheme, Elle recently
finished studying at college. She focussed on Science and
Geography at A-level and BTEC, gaining a total of 390 Ucas Points.
Elle has wanted to go to sea from a very young age as both of her
parents are of Royal Navy background and have told her the
positives and negatives of a life at sea. As an Army cadet,
she was introduced to navigation and orienteering, even though not
at sea she really enjoyed this and loves working with maps.
The scholarship Ellen has been awarded covers all her
training costs including uniforms, college fees and a salary to
cover living expenses. Without the MLOCS scheme and the
organisations that provide funding, potential high-calibre
candidates may not have the opportunity to pursue a career in the
maritime industry and it is these candidates who will ultimately
ensure that the UK remains the capital of global
shipping.
The Trustees of the Educational Trust decided in the
second half of 2011 to raise its profile and broaden its area of
sponsorship whilst not contravening the Deeds of the Trust.
Providing support for a second cadet has ensured that this is
achieved.
The cadets provide a regular news letter describing their
experiences and progress. They have embarked on a wonderful
maritime adventure and we wish them all the best with their new
careers.