Bognor Regis, while a coastal town, doesn't appear to be a major hub for large-scale maritime industries like commercial shipping or offshore drilling. However, there are still opportunities for mariners, particularly in recreational boating, smaller marine services, and potentially in related land-based roles within the broader marine or logistics sectors.

Here's a breakdown of opportunities for mariners in and around Bognor Regis:

1. Recreational Boating and Sailing:

• Bognor Regis Sailing Club: This is a significant local resource. They offer a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, wing foiling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Opportunities here could include:
  • Membership and Participation: For those who enjoy recreational sailing, the club offers regular races, skill-building sessions, and social events.
  • Instructor Roles: If you have RYA (Royal Yachting Association) qualifications, there might be opportunities to teach sailing or other watersports to adults and juniors. The club is an RYA Sail Training Centre.
  • Volunteer Roles: The club relies on volunteers for race officers, safety boat crews, and onshore support. This is a great way to stay involved and contribute to the local maritime community.
  • Boat Maintenance/Yard Work: While not explicitly advertised as jobs, larger sailing clubs often require individuals with boat maintenance skills.
• Marina/Boatyard Operations: While Bognor Regis itself doesn't have a large commercial port, there are marinas and boatyards in the wider West Sussex area (e.g., Chichester, Gosport, Emsworth). These can offer roles such as:
  • Marina/Yard Operatives: Assisting with boat launches, lift-outs, block-offs, and general maintenance.
  • Boat Technicians/Engineers: For servicing, diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of boat systems.
  • Boat Sales/Brokerage: If you have experience in sales and knowledge of boats.

2. Related Marine Sector Roles (often land-based):

• Logistics and Transport: Many "maritime" or "boat" related jobs in the Bognor Regis area, as seen in job searches, often fall under logistics and transportation, specifically involving the movement of goods or vehicles related to the marine industry. This could include:
  • Class 1 HGV Drivers: Transporting boats or marine equipment.
  • Warehouse Operatives: Managing inventory and dispatch of marine-related goods.
• Engineering and Technical Roles: Companies that design, manufacture, or service marine equipment may have engineering roles. While some may be based further afield (e.g., Portsmouth, Southampton), it's worth checking for opportunities in areas like:
  • Marine Engineers: For maintaining and repairing marine engines and systems.
  • CAD Technicians (Maritime): For design work related to civil or structural engineering in the maritime sector.
  • Fabricators/Welders: For manufacturing or repairing components, potentially for marine applications.
• Support Services: Roles that support the broader marine industry, such as:
  • Aftersales Advisor: For dealerships or repair centers dealing with marine vehicles.
  • Project Management: For marine-related projects.

Where to Look for Opportunities:

• Bognor Regis Sailing Club website: (brsailingclub.co.uk) for membership, event information, and potential volunteer or instructor opportunities.
• Job Search Engines:
  • Indeed UK (search "boats Bognor Regis," "maritime Bognor Regis," "marine Bognor Regis")
  • Reed.co.uk (search "marine jobs West Sussex")
  • Totaljobs (search "boat jobs West Sussex")
  • Jobeka (search "maritime transport manager jobs Bognor Regis," "marine engineer officer jobs Bognor Regis")
  • Freelancer UK and CV-Library also list relevant roles, particularly in distribution/shipping and engineering contracting.
• Specialized Marine Recruitment Agencies: Websites like Marine Resources and British Marine's job vacancies section are excellent for finding roles specifically within the marine industry across the South East. While these might not always list Bognor Regis directly, many roles in nearby maritime hubs (Portsmouth, Southampton, Chichester) may be commutable or relevant.
• Local Businesses: Check directly with local boatyards, marine equipment suppliers, or water sports centers in Bognor Regis and surrounding areas.

In summary, for a mariner in Bognor Regis, the most direct opportunities are likely within the recreational sailing community. For more traditional maritime careers, expanding your search to the wider West Sussex and Hampshire coast (Portsmouth, Southampton, Chichester) will yield more results, particularly in marine engineering, boatyard operations, and logistics.