Chartership is a marque of excellence, indicating that the holder has reached the highest level of their profession. The Chartered Master Mariner scheme introduces the concept to the seafaring profession for the first time.
What are the benefits of chartership?
As the gold standard for achievement and professional recognition, the Chartered Master Mariner scheme brings maritime into line with other respected professional sectors. Those awarded chartered status will have shown exceptional capability over a wide range of disciplines, marking them out as self-motivated individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry.
Who can become a chartered mariner?
Under the limited pilot scheme in the first year, applications will be by invitation only. After that, the full scheme will be open to Master Mariners from any country with proven levels of competence above and beyond those demanded by STCW. They must be able to show they have improved their own professional capability and demonstrated a willingness to help others through inspirational leadership.
It is important to recognise that there is no automatic right to chartership, nor is there any prescribed route to chartered status. This accolade is prestigious and must be earned on the basis of individual merit.
Initial enquiries, requests for application forms and completed application forms should be sent to The Nautical Institute, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LQ; tel: +44 (0)20 7928 1351; fax: +44 (0)20 7401 2817; email: chartership@nautinst.orgchartership@nautinst.org.
A special Nautical Institute sub-committee evaluates the application. If it meets the criteria, the applicant’s skills, aptitude and industry experience are assessed in more depth and the application passed to an independent Registration Authority (RA – see below). An RA panel interviews the applicant, either in person or by videoconferencing, for about an hour. Finally, the application is thoroughly scrutinised by the chartership scheme’s consulting organisations. If this stage is passed successfully, the candidate can be awarded Chartered Master Mariner status.
No, but the selection procedure is rigorous. Candidates will need to give details of two referees prepared to support their application. Membership of a professional body is not essential, but may help an applicant.
How long will an application take?
To ensure that only the worthiest candidates are accorded this honour and to guarantee complete fairness, every application will undergo meticulous analysis and scrutiny. The full process, from initial application to successful completion, may take many months.
The application fee – which will not be returned if the application is rejected is £100 (GBP100). Once the interview stage has been passed successfully, the applicant will need to pay a further £200 registration fee. Thereafter, a Chartered Master Mariner pays just £60 for annual registration (reduced to £35 for those past the UK statutory retirement age). Failure to pay fees on time may lead to chartered status lapsing.
Additionally, an applicant will need to pay for copying and/or notarising supporting documents and for travel to and from the professional review interview.
What happens when my application is accepted?
If the application has been successful, a candidate will normally be told within 10 weeks of the interview. They will need to pay the £200 first-year registration fee, and then £60 a year for as long as they wish to retain chartered status.
Those awarded the privilege of Chartered Master Mariner status have an absolute obligation to behave in an ethical, decent and professional manner and must uphold and preserve the reputation and integrity of the awarding organisations. They must at all times adhere to the Code of Ethics and observe the Chartered Master Mariner Code of Personal and Professional Conduct.
In addition, the Chartered Master Mariner must keep a record of their continuing personal development (CPD), and this record will be reviewed from time to time.
What happens if my application is refused?
In the event of dispute, the candidate may appeal within 28 days. The robust and transparent appeals process is entirely separate from the assessment of applications. Candidates should bear in mind that if their application is not successful the £100 fee and other costs will not be returned.
Who runs the chartership scheme?
Chartership is granted by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners (HCMM), which holds the Royal Charter from the Privy Council in the UK. The Nautical Institute manages the initial application process from enquiry through to assessment, while the interview is handled by an independent Registration Authority (RA). The RA is made up of members of the HCMM, the Vice-President of The Nautical Institute, the UK Chamber of Shipping, the Merchant Navy Training Board and the Royal Navy/Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The IMarEST acts as the scheme’s external assessor, and the International Association of Maritime Educators, the International Chamber of Shipping, IFSMA, the MCA and Trinity House are among the scheme’s consulting organisations.
What does the Registration Authority do?
The RA oversees the chartership award process, handles applications after they have been checked by The Nautical Institute, undertakes the professional review interview and makes recommendations to the HCMM Court on the granting of Chartered Master Mariner status.
Email us at chartership@nautinst.org. Additionally, there is a helpful article in the January 2017 issue of Seaways..
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