Summary

This publication presents estimates of UK seafarer numbers, also including some statistics of non-UK seafarers qualified to serve on UK registered vessels, and indicative projections of the future number of UK certificated officers. Statistics are updated annually.

Download full release

• Seafarer statistics 2011 (PDF – 71 KB)
• Seafarer projections 2011 (PDF – 42 KB)
• Seafarer statistics 2011 full release (statistics summary, projections and technical notes) (PDF – 125 KB)

Download full release and all tables:

• Seafarer statistics 2011 and XLS tables (ZIP – 429 KB)
• Seafarer statistics 2011 CSV tables (ZIP – 20 KB)

Key points

• In 2011, an estimated 27,000 UK nationals were working regularly at sea.
• Of these, about 15,000 (56 per cent) held qualifications related to handling ships or their engines, while the remainder were employed for other technical or customer service duties.
• The number of UK certificated officers active at sea was about 11,000, 28 per cent lower than in 1997 after taking into account changes in the certification system.
• The average number of officer cadets in training during 2009/10 was 1,820 compared with 1,000 in 1998/9.
• The number of UK officer cadet new entrants was 850 in 2010/11 compared with around 500 in 1999/00 and 754 in 2009/10 (under the SMarT1 scheme).

Browse all statistical tables related to this series

• Seafarer statistical tables

Technical information

Information on seafarer statistics, including the pre-release access list, and related technical documentation, can be found here:

• Seafarers

Contact us

• maritime.stats@dft.gsi.gov.uk
• Phone: 020 7944 4441