Merchant Ship Careers
Deck Department
Master/Captain:
Description: The Master is the ultimate authority on the vessel. He monitors all operations on the vessel and manages the officer and crew on the vessel. This would include cargo, navigation, maintenance and communication with land based authorities.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical Certificate, Certificate of Competency Masters Unlimited License, 5-10 years’ experience in previous ranks. Good Communication Skills.
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Chief Officer
Description: The Chief Officer (1st Mate) has the responsibility of overseeing the deck crew. This would include safety and drills of the crew. He also is in charge of the cargo work onboard the vessel. He reports directly to the Master and is second in command of the vessel.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical Certificate, A chief mate usually holds a Master license (COC) as a contingency plan if he would have to assume authority of the vessel in an emergency. A Chief Officer can be attained after a period of time served as a Second Officer (2nd Mate) usually a year or more in this capacity. Also required classes and examinations completed for Chief Officer Certification (COC).
Second Officer/Second Mate
Description: The Second Officer (2nd Mate) falls as the third in command onboard the vessel. The main focus for them is navigation however they are usually tasked with a number of duties including medical officer, cargo operations, maintenance of distress signals and passage plans.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical Certificate, A Second Officer/Mate License (Certificate of Competency). Standard a year or more serving as a 3rd officer/Mate.
Third Officer/Third Mate
Description: The Third Officer (3rd Mate) is primarily responsible for the safety of the crew. They are tasked with the maintenance of all safety equipment including but not limited to fire-fighting and lifeboats.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical Certificate, Officer of the Watch Certification (OOW), all additional STCW’95 safety and certification trainings. An official deck cadet/rating program either through specialized maritime institutions or attaining sea-time.
Deck Cadet
Description: A cadet is an officer in training. They form a part of the deck team and assist with the daily functioning of the vessel. They understudy the officers in their duties. While onboard the vessel a cadet received a structured training as a part of their practical assessment and completes various jobs.
Requirements:
At least 18 years of age, Medical certificate Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat, other than Fast Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2), Advanced Fire-fighting (STCW A-VI/3), Medical First-Aid (STCW A-VI/4), Basic Training (STCW A-VI/1), and STCW’95 security certification. (3) Months of sea-time.
Boatswain/Bosun
Description: An unlicensed senior crew member of the deck department. His responsibility is supervision of the deck crew (not officers). His line of command usually reports directly to the chief Officer.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical certificate, Ratings certificate. STCW’95 safety and certification training. Usually 2-3 years as an Able Bodied Seaman (AB).
Able Bodies Seaman/Able Seaman (AB)
Description: Also an unlicensed crew an AB performs general maintenance of the vessel. This would include equipment and sanitation. They also serve as the helmsmen and maintain steady course of the vessel via instruction from the officer. An AB line of command reports to the boatswain.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, Medical Certificate, Ratings Certificate. STCW’95 safety and certification training.
Engine Department
Chief Engineer
Description: The Chief Engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a vessel. The Chief Engineer is responsible for all operations and maintenance that has to do with any and all engineering equipment throughout the entire ship. Under many jurisdictions the chief engineer is of equal rank to the captain, with responsibility being split between the two posts; the chief engineer taking responsibility for engine room and maintenance, and the captain taking responsibility for navigation and deck operations.
Requirement: National Certificate of Competency Unlimited Marine Engineer Officer, previous experience in senior engine officer capacity 5-10 years.
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Second Engineer
Description: The Second Engineer is usually in charge of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, condensate and feed systems, and is the third most senior marine engineer on board. Depending on usage, "the Second" or "the Third" is also typically in charge of fueling (a.k.a. bunkering), granted the officer holds a valid Person In Charge (PIC) endorsement for fuel transfer operations.
The exact duties of this position will often depend upon the type of ship and arrangement of the engine department. On ships with steam propulsion plants the Second/Third is in charge of the boilers, combustion control, soot blowers, condensate and feed equipment, feed pumps, fuel, and condensers. On diesel and gas turbine propulsion plants the Second is in charge of auxiliary boilers, auxiliary engines, incinerator, air compressors, fuel, and fuel oil purifiers.
Requirement: National Certificate of Competency Unlimited Marine Engineer Officer, previous experience in third engineer capacity 1-2 years.
Third Engineer
Generally the most junior marine engineer of the ship, this person is usually responsible for electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Depending on usage, they are called "the Third" or "the Fourth" and usually stands a watch. Sometimes assists the third mate in maintaining proper operation of the lifeboats.
Requirements: Officer of an Engineering Watch Certification (OEW), all additional STCW’95 safety and certification trainings. An official engine cadet/rating program either through specialized maritime institutions or attaining sea-time.
Electrical Technical Officer-
Description: Officer who is responsible for the maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment
Requirement: At least 18 years old, Medical certificate, Certificate of Competency, STCW’95 safety and certification training, Sea-Experience and Combined workshop training not less than 12 months.
Trainee Marine Engineer (Engine Cadet)-
Description: Engineering cadets train to become marine engineers, and as such their fields encompass a range of theoretical and practical engineering subjects, including Mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, control engineering, applied mathematics, welding and fabrication. Engineering practice is mostly learned during the cadet’s assignment to a ship.
Requirements: At least 18 years of age, minimum 6 months of workshop training, Medical certificate Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat, other than Fast Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2), Advanced Fire-fighting (STCW A-VI/3), Medical First-Aid (STCW A-VI/4), Basic Training (STCW A-VI/1), and STCW’95 security certification.
Oiler
Description: The oiler is also required to keep the engine room clean, tidy and freshly painted. Oilers have various duties, some of which include, performing regular maintenance of the ship’s engines and other equipment, assisting the engineers with the repair and overhaul of the ship’s engines and equipment, making regular rounds of the engine room and designated spaces and alerting the engineer on watch of any problems noted.
Requirements: At least 18 years old, Ratings Certificate. STCW’95 safety and certification training, Medical Certificate and previous sea experience 6-12 months.
Fitter
Description: A fitter responsibility encompasses minor repairs of engine room equipment, cleaning and maintenance.
Requirement: At least 18 years old, Medical Certificate, Ratings Certificate. STCW’95 safety and certification training. Previous sea experience 12-24 months.
Wiper
Description: A wiper is the most junior crewmember in the engine room of a ship. The role of a wiper consists of cleaning the engine spaces and machinery, and assisting the engineers as directed
Requirement: At least 18 years old, Medical certificate, Ratings Certificate. STCW’95 safety and certification training. Previous sea experience 6 months.
Catering Department
Cook
Description: The cook directs and participates in the preparation and serving of meals; determines timing and sequence of operations required to meet serving times; inspects galley and equipment for cleanliness and proper storage and preparation of food. The cook may plan or assist in planning meals and taking inventory of stores and equipment.
Requirement: Firstly completion of an accredited training course that inclusive of practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering health and safety. The cook should have at least 3 months experience in a similar capacity of 5 years as a steward on a vessel or hotel. STCW’95 safety and certification training. At least 18 years old, medical certificate.
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Steward
Description: A steward is an unlicensed, entry-level crewmember in the Steward’s department of a merchant ship. This position can also be referred to as steward. The role of the steward consists mainly of stocking, cleaning and assisting with the preparation and serving of meals. The steward often assists by removing stocks such as food, linen, and utensils and making sure they arrive where they’re needed. Closely involved with the storeroom operations, the steward will assist in taking inventory. The steward also is typically in charge of the ship’s linens, not only sorting, counting, and stocking but also issuing them to the crew.
Requirement: At least 18 years old, STCW’95 safety and certification training. Medical Certificate.
