The Deck Department on a cruise ship is a part of the Marine Operations division. The primary responsibilities of the Deck Officers and Ratings are the safe navigation of the vessel plus all safety and security aspects of the ship’s operations, including guests, officers, crew and staff members. Although the actual head of the department is the Staff Captain, the highest ranking person aboard – the Captain/Master of the ship (at least due to the nature of his profession – a Deck Officer) is considered a member of the Deck department. There are in general two different types of positions – Deck Officers (Captain; Staff Captain; 1st, 2nd, 3rd Officers; Safety Officer; Security Officer; Deck Cadet) and Deck Ratings – Boatswain/Bosun, Carpenter, Able Seaman Unlimited, Ordinary Seaman Entry Level and Deckhand.

Captain Captain +

Staff Captain +

Safety Officer +

Environmental Compliance Officer +

1st Officer +

2nd Officer +

3rd Officer +

Apprentince Deck +

Deck Cadet +

Chief Security Officer +

Deputy security Officer +

Security Guard +

Bosun +

Quartermaster (Helmsman) +

Able Seaman +

Ordinary Seaman +

Carpenter +

Fireman +


Courtesy of cruiseshipjob.com