Hiring and Sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers (SOC Code 3512)

Ship and Hovercraft Officers, classified under SOC Code 3512, are crucial maritime professionals responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of various vessels, including ships and hovercrafts. Their duties encompass a range of responsibilities central to navigation and safety at sea:

• Allocate Duties: Assign roles to ship’s officers and coordinate activities of deck and engine room ratings.
• Operation Control: Direct or perform the operation of controls for inflating air cushions, running engines, and steering vessels.
• Navigational Expertise: Locate the vessel's position using electronic navigational aids and traditional tools like charts and compasses; provide navigation advice as necessary.
• Engine Monitoring: Monitor the operation of engines, generators, and other mechanical and electrical equipment, performing minor repairs when needed.
• Communication: Maintain radio contact with other vessels and coastal stations to ensure safe navigation.
• Watchkeeping Rota: Prepare and manage the watchkeeping rota, ensuring lookout for other vessels or obstacles is maintained.
• Log Maintenance: Keep records of the vessel’s progress, weather conditions, and crew conduct to ensure compliance and safety.

With the growing demand for maritime professionals in the UK's shipping industry, this guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring Ship and Hovercraft Officers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Ship and hovercraft officers?

SOC Code 3512 refers to ship and hovercraft officers who are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of vessels. Their responsibilities can include:

• Allocating duties: Assigning tasks to ship’s officers and coordinating the activities of deck and engine room ratings.
• Controlling vessel operations: Directing or operating controls to inflate air cushions, run engines, and propel and steer ships, hovercraft, and other vessels.
• Navigating: Locating the position of the vessel using electronic and navigational aids such as charts and compasses; providing navigation advice when necessary.
• Monitoring equipment: Overseeing the operation of engines, generators, and other mechanical and electrical equipment; performing minor repairs as needed.
• Maintaining communication: Keeping radio contact with other vessels and coast stations for safety and coordination.
• Preparing schedules: Creating watchkeeping rotas and ensuring a lookout for other vessels or obstacles is maintained.
• Logging activities: Maintaining logs of the vessel’s progress, weather conditions, and crew conduct.

Ship and hovercraft officers are vital to maritime safety and efficiency, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to navigational protocols.

Eligibility to Hire Ship and hovercraft officers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Ship and hovercraft officers must possess a combination of navigational, operational, and mechanical skills to effectively manage the activities on board. Candidates must meet the following qualifications and experience criteria:

• Experience: Proven track record in maritime operations with relevant experience in ship or hovercraft navigation.
• Navigation Skills: Proficiency in locating the vessel's position utilizing electronic and traditional navigational aids such as charts and compasses.
• Technical Knowledge: Competence in operating controls for air cushion inflation, engine management, and propulsion systems for ships and hovercraft.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to monitor engines, generators, and other mechanical/electrical equipment with skills to perform minor repairs as needed.
• Safety Communication: Ability to maintain radio contact with other vessels and coast stations while demonstrating excellent communication skills.
• Watchkeeping and Reporting: Experience in preparing watchkeeping rosters and maintaining a detailed log of the vessel's progress, weather conditions, and crew conduct.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3512 and that the candidate's experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers under SOC Code 3512.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Ship and hovercraft officers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Ship and hovercraft officers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Ship and hovercraft officers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Ship and hovercraft officers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Ship and hovercraft officers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Ship and hovercraft officers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Ship and hovercraft officers

Before the Ship and hovercraft officers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Ship and hovercraft officers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Ship and hovercraft officers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Ship and hovercraft officers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Ship and hovercraft officers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Ship and hovercraft officerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers

Sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers under SOC Code 3512 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Ship and hovercraft officers under SOC Code 3512 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.