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The world of yachting is fast-paced, global, and filled with opportunity, but progressing your career as a deck or engineering officer can be costly and complex. That’s where the Bluewater Scholarship Programme steps in.
Designed to support experienced seafarers who are ready to take their next big step, the programme offers targeted funding and training support for those working towards a Certificate of Competency (CoC). Whether you’re aiming to qualify as an Officer of the Watch or an Engineering Officer of the Watch, Bluewater is offering a lifeline to help talented individuals gain the qualifications they need to succeed in the maritime industry.
Investing in Talent: What the Programme Offers
Bluewater selects four candidates to receive a fully funded training package, with two pathways available:
Officer of the Watch <3000GT (OOW) – for deck officers
Small Vessel Engineering Officer of the Watch (SV EOOW<9000kW, <3000gt) – for engineers
Successful applicants will train at one of Bluewater’s leading facilities in Antibes, France or Palma, Spain, with one candidate per programme selected in each location.
OOW <3000GT Training Package
This pathway supports deck candidates preparing for their oral exams and includes the following training modules:
Navigation & Radar (Yacht)
General Ship Knowledge (Yacht)
Efficient Deckhand (EDH)
HELM Operational
ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems)
GMDSS General Operator Certificate
Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats (PSC&RB – Antibes only)
SV EOOW<9000kW, <3000gt Training Package
Engineering candidates receive support to complete these vital training modules:
SV Marine Diesel Engineering
SV Auxiliary Equipment – Part 1
SV Operational Procedures, Basic Hotel Service & Ship Construction
SV Workshop Skills (Palma only)
Advanced Firefighting
Medical First Aid
HELM Operational
PSC&RB (restricted – Antibes only)
Each pathway prepares candidates to apply for their Notice of Eligibility (NoE), a prerequisite for taking the oral examination required to obtain a CoC.
What’s Not Included
While the scholarship generously covers course fees, it does not cover:
Seafarer medical (ENG1 or equivalent)
External exam fees (oral or written)
Travel and accommodation
Retakes or resits
Costs related to qualifying sea time or mileage
Entry Requirements: Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to motivated and experienced seafarers who meet the following minimum criteria:
For Deck Candidates:
Valid ENG1 medical
STCW Basic Safety Training (FP&FF, EFA, PST, PSSR)
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or IYT Master of Yachts 200 (with shore-based certificate and commercially endorsed)
36 months’ sea service as outlined in MSN 1858
For Engineering Candidates:
Valid ENG1 medical
STCW Basic Safety Training
AEC 1 & 2 qualifications
24 months employed in engineering on vessels >200kW (MSN 1904)
6 months at sea in engineering on vessels >200kW (MSN 524)
The Application Process
Applicants must submit:
An online application form
A CV and two references (from a captain, senior crew, or management company)
A profile photo and personal statement
Scans of all relevant certificates
Key Dates:
Applications Open: 1 September 2025
Deadline: 31 October 2025 (midnight)
Results Announced: December 2025
Training Starts: From January 2026
Training Completion: Within two years of receiving funding
A panel of maritime professionals, including captains, engineers, and shore-based experts, will review all applications. Please note, the panel’s decision is final, and no appeals process is available.
After the Scholarship
Successful candidates agree to a few simple conditions, including:
Consent to Bluewater’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
Participation in occasional marketing interviews and photos
Providing a short update after completing their training, sharing how the scholarship helped advance their career
Why It Matters
With many talented seafarers held back by the cost of training, the Bluewater Scholarship Programme opens new doors. It’s not just about fundin, it’s about empowering the next generation of yacht professionals to take on leadership roles, contribute to safer and more effective operations, and grow the professionalism of the yachting industry as a whole.
If you’re ready to move forward in your maritime career, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Applications open 1st September 2025.
Start your journey - apply through Bluewater’s website and take the next step toward your future.
