How to become a deckhand on a river ship, and then a boatman

You can become a deckhand on a river ship without any experience. What matters is the order: first a course, then the service record book, then your first sailing days. This guide explains how to become a deckhand, how to move up to boatman, and which route is realistic with TMLG Academy.

It is the same explanation we give people who come to us for the first time.

What a boatman does on board

As a boatman you handle everything on deck that is done by hand. You make the ship fast and cast off, get the ropes ready in locks, help the boatmaster with manoeuvres, look after the deck and the equipment, clean and paint. On cargo ships you help with loading and unloading. On passenger ships you work closer to the passengers.

It is physical work outdoors, in summer and in winter. Most ships work in rotation, for example four weeks on board and four weeks at home. We describe how that works in practice in Rotation work on ships.

Step 1: basic safety training and the service record book

Since 2022 your first service record book is not issued without basic safety training. Without the book, no shipping company will take you on board. The course takes three days: theory and practice by the water, first aid, health and safety, and a final test. The certificate is valid throughout the EU, and you can apply for the book in the EU country of your choice.

We run this course in Slovak, in Hlohovec and in Děčín. From your first day on board, your sailing days are recorded in the book, and they decide when you move up a rank.

How to become a deckhand, and why it is rarely enough

With a new service record book you start as a deckhand. To be honest, since the rule changes of 2022 this rank is of almost no use for a steady job. Shipping companies look for people who go further. That leaves you two routes:

• You find a ship yourself and earn the rank of boatman with sailing days. That takes 360 sailing days.
• You join our training course. You are a boatman after 90 sailing days and the boatman exam.

The training course: boatman after 90 sailing days instead of 360

The training course takes three years, split into six semesters. You hold the rank of apprentice as soon as you enrol. You study at TMLG Academy and work on board at the same time, so you earn money throughout the training.

• Taught in German, in Hlohovec. There are no fixed dates: you agree your start date with the instructor.
• Your employer: if you do not already work on a ship of another company, we offer you an employment contract with TMLG Group. If you do, you stay with your company.
• Your rank on the uniform: you wear your TMLG rank throughout the course, from Cadet through Sailor to Captain, and Fullcaptain once you have finished.

From boatman to boatmaster: sailing days for each rank

• Boatman: 360 sailing days, or 90 days and the boatman exam on the training course.
• Able boatman: 540 sailing days, or 270 days on the training course.
• Helmsman: 720 sailing days, or 360 days and the radio operator's exam on the training course. You prepare for it on the radiotelephony course.

Helmsman is the last step before boatmaster. After the training course you take the theory and practical exam for the UNION patent, the Union certificate of qualification as boatmaster, with us at TMLG Academy. You can then add the Radar patent and the M patent.

What to prepare for before you go on board

• Language. On ships in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, basic German or English is enough. You pick up the technical terms on board. If you want a head start, take our language course.
• Fitness. Ropes, locks, a wet deck. You do not need to be an athlete, but the work is physical.
• Weeks away from home. A rotation means several weeks on the ship at a time. What the job looks like day to day is in Life on a river barge.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start without any experience?

Yes. You do not need any experience or maritime education for basic safety training or for the training course.

Do I have to work for TMLG Group?

No. If you already work on a ship of another company, you stay with that company. We offer an employment contract with TMLG Group only to training course students who do not.

Can I take the training course in English?

No. The training course is taught in German, in Hlohovec. Basic safety training, ADN and radiotelephony are taught in Slovak.

How much do the courses cost?

All prices are in our price list. Not sure which route suits you? Get in touch and we will talk it through.