Marina and Boatyard Operative

Marina and Boatyard Operative

On a marina and boatyard operative apprenticeship course, you’ll help deliver a variety of operations and services, including vessel handling.

Marinas and boatyards support the yachting and boating industries, vital components of the recreational marine economy. Marinas may be either coastal or inland and include docks or basins on rivers and canals and moorings and vessel services. Boatyards are on-the-water facilities built, serviced, moored, or stored.

A marina and boatyard operator provides a variety of tasks and services, including vessel handling, such as lifting, launching, high-pressure cleaning, and storing boats ashore, as well as berthing and moving vessels on the water following business laws. You must work safely in this position, in line with relevant laws, regulations, codes of practice, and other information and guidance.

While performing your job, you will use a range of equipment and communicate with customers, other employees, external contractors, suppliers, and visitors. You will also be in charge of routine maintenance and inspections around the marina and boatyard.

What you’ll learn

On a marina and boatyard operative apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Prepare, lift, move, and/or store vessels following required instructions and information, including lift monitoring as a banker or plant operator.
  • Receiving visiting boats safely, assigning berths, berthing vessels, and filling out needed paperwork following relevant instructions and information.
  • As an operator and/or bankman, use and run marina/boatyard equipment machinery, following manufacturer’s and other appropriate rules and information (for example, boat handling and moving equipment, vessel support equipment, maintenance equipment).
  • Clean vessel hulls safely and in conformity with all necessary norms. 
  • Maintain marina/boatyard security and conduct necessary security inspections following organisational requirements and rules for their role.
  • Respond to crises and occurrences safely and efficiently (for example, a fire, a person in the water, a lock malfunction, or pollution) following the relevant directives, instructions, and information.
  • In the case of an accident, follow appropriate procedures, accurately record and detail information about the accident, and provide relevant first aid following authorities provided and relevant information and advice.
  • Effectively communicate with clients, other members of staff, and site visitors, use relevant, clear, and engaging communication.
  • Provide excellent customer service by aggressively implementing customer service principles and best practices in conjunction with the appropriate information and guidance to ensure client needs are met.
  • Complete the necessary documentation for planned and completed tasks within one’s area of responsibility and follow relevant guidance and information.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • GCSEs, usually including English and Maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of two distinct assessment methods: 

  • Observation of the apprentice conducting certain work operations.  
  • A professional discussion that assesses the application of knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

  • Duration: 18 months
  • Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: PE
  • Potential salary upon completion: £22,000 per annum

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Marina and Boatyard Operative Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 24, 2024

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