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.