8232 Marine and waterways transport operatives

In short

• ONS unit group 8232, in minor group 823 (Other drivers and transport operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £38,300 (£19.64 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £26,300 (£13.49 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Marine and waterways transport operatives supervise and carry out a variety of deck duties and operate and maintain engines, boilers and mechanical equipment on board ships, boats and other marine vessels.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may expect entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Candidates are expected to pass a medical examination and have good eyesight. Training takes place at nautical college and lasts between 11-13 weeks.

Tasks

• ensures that necessary fuel supplies are on board and inspects engine, boilers and other mechanisms for correct functioning
• removes and repairs or replaces damaged or worn parts of plant and machinery and ensures that engine and plant machinery are well lubricated
• stows cargo, assists passengers to embark and disembark, watches for hazards and moors or casts off mooring ropes as required
• steers ship, under the supervision of a duty officer, checks navigational aids and keeps bridge, wheel and chartroom clean and tidy
• performs other deck duties, including servicing and maintaining deck gear and rigging, splicing wire and fibre ropes, greasing winches and derricks, opening up and battening down hatches, securing gangways and ladders and lowering and raising lifeboats

Related job titles

• Deck hand (shipping)
• Engine room attendant (shipping)
• Engineer(nos: boat, barge)
• Ferryman
• Merchant seaman
• Seaman (shipping)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

8232 Marine and waterways transport operatives

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Marine and waterways transport operatives

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£38,300 (£19.64 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

8232 Marine and waterways transport operatives

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

8232

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Marine and waterways transport operatives

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£26,300 (£13.49 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 823

• 8231 Train and tram drivers
• 8233 Air transport operatives
• 8234 Rail transport operatives
• 8239 Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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