Has anyone any experience of working on Navy auxiliary fleet?

[Yumyi]

One of my dc has mentioned he is interested in this. So trying to gain others experiences of it.

hopeful bump

Just seen this! Still looking for info OP @Yumyi ?

Hi. He has gone off this idea a bit now , but any info still could be useful?

Isnt it a case of joining the RN then getting assigned? they provide the logistics around the globe

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/services/royal-fleet-auxiliary

Correction. its a civilian role but the RN train you. never knew that.

The biggest secret of the MOD. Technically the RFA is a separate entity within the MOD but in reality shares a lot of regulation with the RN.

As a civilian role there is no requirement for a fitness test and employment is not subject to fitness standard beyond the civilian equivalent (MCA ENG). There is a fix leave system so you work 4 months on to get 3 months off. You have your own cabin and not live in shared messes. Employment is either through Maritime Cadetship for officers or apprentice scheme for non officers.

The main areas of employment are (in general).

Deck - officers learn navigation and steering the ship. non officers learn maintenance and seamanship

Engineer officer learn either Marine Engineering or Electrical Engineering running the systems that make the ship move or support its function. Non Officers learn supporting the functions that operate the ship such as plumbing, electrical maintenance, mechanics etc.

Communications - all radio and IT support

Support services - such as cooks, stores and purser.

I used to be in the navy, have worked on these ships and have friends who are ex-RFA. What education level/roles is your child interested in? Have to say they are desperate for people at the moment.

No real idea what role. He is in sea cadets so his interest has been sparked in this. No gcses results yet so not sure what he will be able to apply for from an academic point of view

The RFA is currently having a massive recruitment and retention problem. Both unions have voted for strike action over pay. Crew onboard overstretched due to not enough personnel and morale is shocking. I work for them and I wouldn't recommend it as a long term career the way it is now. For someone young to get in, get qualified and get out it's still a decent option.

Well if he's still in Sea Cadets then plenty of time to research still. There will be opportunities from basically zero academic qualifications up to degree + engineering roles so there should be something there.

Generally the rest of the merchant navy (cruise ships, tankers, cargo etc) has better Ts and Cs than the RFA but you don't get the variety of roles and link with the armed forces that you get in the RFA. They work to civilian standards though which means that your qualifications are more transferable than in the regular Navy.