Ship and hovercraft officers SOC 3512
Ship and hovercraft officers (SOC 3512) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £58,300 per year. This role is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, so you may qualify with a lower salary and get extra points. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does a ship and hovercraft officer do?
Ship and hovercraft officers command and navigate ships and other craft, co-ordinate the activities of officers and deck and engine room ratings, operate and maintain communications equipment on board ship and undertake minor repairs to engines, boilers and other mechanical and electrical equipment.
Typical tasks
- allocates duties to ship’s officers and co-ordinates and directs the activities of deck and engine room ratings
- directs or undertakes the operation of controls to inflate air cushions, run engines and propel and steer ships, hovercraft and other vessels
- locates the position of vessel using electronic and other navigational aids such as charts and compasses and advises on navigation where appropriate
- monitors the operation of engines, generators and other mechanical and electrical equipment and undertakes any necessary minor repairs
- maintains radio contact with other vessels and coast stations
- prepares watch keeping rota and maintains a look-out for other vessels or obstacles
- maintains log of vessel’s progress, weather conditions, conduct of crew, etc
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades. Good colour vision without spectacles or contact lenses is required for some posts and candidates must undergo a medical examination. Training lasts three to four years and combines taught courses and assessed training at sea.
Visa sponsorship requirements
How to get sponsored as a ship and hovercraft officer
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring ship and hovercraft officers, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £58,300 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 3512 (£58,300) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £39,100 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 3512
Recent jobs under SOC 3512
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (351xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can ship and hovercraft officers get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Ship and hovercraft officers roles fall under SOC 3512 (Medium Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation. This role is also on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which can mean a lower salary bar.
What salary do ship and hovercraft officers need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Ship and hovercraft officers (SOC 3512) is £58,300 (£29.90 per hour). Occupation rate applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 3512?
SOC 3512 covers a range of ship and hovercraft officers roles, including: Ship and hovercraft captains and deck officers (excludes armed forces and fishing), Marine engineers, Ship and hovercraft officers not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
What does the Shortage Occupation List mean for ship and hovercraft officers?
Ship and hovercraft officers (SOC 3512) is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which recognises a UK labour shortage in this field. In practice that means a lower salary threshold, plus extra "tradeable" points on your visa application. The Home Office lets shortage status stand in for a higher salary.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering ship and hovercraft officers roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For Ship and hovercraft officers, that works out to £39,100. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find ship and hovercraft officers jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Ship and hovercraft officers roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.