Merchant Navy deck officer job

The deck department is responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the vessel, both when the ship is at sea and while it is docked. This responsibility falls under the administration of the captain.

Your primary duty is to ensure that both the ship and everyone on board remain safe at all times; however, the team is also responsible for overseeing the management of all deck operations and maintenance.

Deck officers are an essential component of the on-board management team. They are tasked with maintaining control of a costly vessel in addition to its equally important crew, visitors, and cargo. You will be in charge of commanding the vessel's navigation, communications, and security, as well as making important choices on its maneuvering.

Deck officers are responsible for keeping watch on the bridge when the ship is at sea and patrolling the ship while it is docked. They are accountable for the planning of the voyage, the secure navigation of the vessel, the loading and unloading of cargo, the ship's stability, the maintenance of the hull and deck equipment, and the upkeep of the communications system.

The captain of the ship, also known as the master, is in charge of the whole operation and has the utmost responsibility for ensuring the safety of the crew, the vessel, the cargo, and the environment. The rank of master is one that can only be achieved by navigation officers.

Skills and qualities

Members of the deck department are seasoned seafarers who have received extensive training and have a breadth of experience in the maritime industry. These seafarers have acquired and honed their professional knowledge and abilities in at least one of the maritime fields.

You'll need to be able to make snap judgments, remain calm under pressure, and instill confidence in others, in addition to having strong communication abilities and being a good team player. A person's self-assurance, excitement, and ability to rely on themselves independently are also necessary qualities.

Roles

Captain

As the person in overall charge of the vessel, the captain is fully responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone on board, including the passengers, the crew, and the cargo.

In addition to having extensive maritime qualifications and experience, excellent seafaring knowledge, a good grasp of accounting and administration, and the requirement to deal with authorities on matters pertaining to health and safety, security, and environmental awareness, captains must also be aware of environmental concerns.

Chief executive officer

The chief officer or chief mate is the second in command and is directly responsible for all deck operations. This includes the storage and handling of cargo, as well as deck upkeep and deck supplies.

In addition to being responsible for the safety of the ship and being environmentally conscientious, the chief officer is in charge of the second and third officers, as well as the deck hands, and he or she must also keep watch on the bridge.

The second in command

Particular responsibilities for navigation, the maintenance of charts, and software fall squarely on the shoulders of the second officer. They are responsible for monitoring navigation and communications equipment, as well as performing bridge watches when at sea. Additionally, they may be appointed as the vessel's security, safety, or medical officer.

Officer number three

The third officer is often the first post-certification assignment given to a graduate of the officer cadet program. This officer is responsible for bridge watches and understudy the second officer.

The third officer is also accountable for ensuring that the lifeboats and the equipment used for combating fires are in good working condition.

Bosun

The bosun, often known as the senior deck hand, is typically accountable for the upkeep and cleanliness of the vessel's exterior, as well as the supervision of all deck activities in collaboration with the duty officer.

Deck hand

An entry-level position for newcomers who may or may not have a fundamental understanding of sailing but are prepared to learn on the job regardless of their prior experience.

This is a hands-on position that encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including deck operations, vessel maintenance, and general tasks.

The purpose of our career progression charts is to provide you with a clear roadmap to the most effective path and courses that are necessary to advance in your profession.

Various opportunities for careers

Navy of Merchants

Deck officers who have recently received their qualifications will typically begin their careers with their respective companies as third officers, performing bridge watchkeeping duties while at sea and operational duties while in port. They will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of the crew, ship, cargo, and environment.

As their knowledge and experience grow, they will have the opportunity to advance to higher certifications of competence, which will ultimately lead them to certification as a ship's captain (master), and potentially to the leadership of their own vessel.

Ashore, competent navigation officers also have access to a wide variety of job prospects. It is common practice for shipping corporations to hire seagoing officers to fill positions on land, such as marine superintendents and fleet operations employees. The authorities in charge of harbors seek for seasoned officers to fill positions in their training programs for pilots, harbor masters, and port operations managers. Classification organizations like Lloyd's Register of Shipping and maritime insurance firms need the knowledge and expertise of the officers to fulfil responsibilities like hull and cargo surveyors on their staff. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is always looking for surveyors and examiners, while maritime institutions are always looking for instructors and evaluators.

Superyachts

Working aboard a superyacht is not at all like taking a holiday and is seldom the simple choice. You are going to be responsible for:

Always conduct yourself in a professional manner.

Put in a lot of work.

Crew quarters are often rather cramped and confined.

Always maintain a pleasant demeanor and strive to provide "service with a smile."

Spend a significant amount of time away from home.

Unrestricted certification opportunities

As a result of the increasing number of new superyachts that are larger than the 3,000-GT limit that yacht certification requires, captains and officers will need to get unlimited certification. The good news is that deck officers who have worked on yachts more than 24 meters in length are eligible to get limitless certification based on their yacht certification.

The capacity to advance to the rank of Master Mariner (Unlimited) is the apex of one's education and training in the maritime industry. According to several recruiting organizations, there is a significant need for deck officers who have both unrestricted certification and previous experience working on yachts.

How does it work?

The successful completion of limitless certification is a lot less difficult than it may seem at first. The regulations governing sea time were modified in 2011, and as of that year, sea service obtained on yachts that are above 24 meters in length contributes toward unrestricted certification.

A crew member is eligible to apply for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE) in order to enroll in a course that will lead to an OOW (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency if they have completed at least six months of bridge watchkeeping duties during their qualifying sea service on a yacht that is over 24 meters in length and 80 GT in gross tonnage.

The following is how one accounts for time spent in sea service:

All real sea duty in addition to stand-by service (up to a maximum of 14 consecutive days in a single period, independent of any extra time spent standing by), in addition to yard time (to a maximum of 90 days). The sum in question must be more than or equal to 1,080 days.

Additional periods of stand-by time may be tallied, but only after the vessel has returned after being at sea on a journey.

You need to make sure that you apply using the MCA form MSF 4274, but you also need to provide yacht sea service testimonies in line with MSN 1858, section 4.

NOTE: In order to be eligible to participate in this program, you do not need to already have a RYA/IYT Yacht Master or Officer of the Watch (Yachts smaller than 3,000GT) certification.

Before you submit your application for this program, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you first submit an application for your Notice of Eligibility. This verifies that the MCA will consider your marine service to be qualified for an award.

How long does it take?

The total time commitment required to complete the program is 27 weeks. The teaching and examination component of the HNC takes place over the course of 23 weeks. Subjects covered during this time include bridge watchkeeping, navigation, chartwork, tides, emergency response and communications, cargo work, meteorology, ship stability, ship construction, as well as law and management.

You will also be required to take two written SQA examinations at the conclusion of the course (Navigation, and Stability and Operations). A Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Nautical Science will be granted to students who finish the course with a passing grade.

What kinds of things are covered under the program?

You will participate in a two-term academic program that will include ongoing assessment and end-of-course assessments in the majority of courses, in addition to the two written SQA examinations that were discussed before. The Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) course, the NAEST(O) course, the HELM(O) course, the MCA Signals course, SQA test preparation, and MCA oral exam preparation are all included in this curriculum.

NOTE: If you successfully complete NAEST(O), in addition to receiving your NAEST(O) certificate, you will also get an MCA-approved generic ECDIS certificate. After successfully completing the five-day Human Element, Leadership and Management (Management Level) course, the OOW (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency may be upgraded to allow the holder to also serve as a chief mate on yachts with a gross tonnage of less than 3,000.

Before you may take the MCA oral test, you need to first get STCW certifications in the following areas: advanced fire fighting, medical first aid, proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (PSCRB), and GMDSS GOC. These classes are available via our company as well.

Learn more by reading up on the training here.

Oil and gas production offshore

It is possible to make a successful transition into the offshore oil and gas business for deck officers who have served in the Merchant Navy. There are various options available in this field. These might be with shipping firms that operate offshore support boats within the industry sector, or they could be with other businesses that provide assistance to the offshore industry in the field of marine-related activities (eg, mobile offshore drilling units).

When looking to fill jobs, organizations that specialize in the maritime industry often find that the maritime expertise, STCW/academic credentials, and general marine experience of Merchant Navy deck officers make for a desirable addition to the company.

People who come from maritime backgrounds have the potential to advance in rank or position as their experience within the sector grows, perhaps all the way up to the position of barge master or higher with extra certifications that are specific to the industry.

Mariners now have access to a far wider variety of opportunities in the offshore business across the world, and their ability to work in offshore regions in other countries has improved dramatically. It is not unheard of for people to work in these locations, even as far away as Australia, on a regular basis for shorter periods of time while enjoying favorable terms and conditions of employment.

Renewables

The past relevant experience (if any) together with the targeted area of operation and vessel tonnage will determine the precise career path that might be taken within the renewables industry. However, it is important to remember that in order to qualify for any of the occupational roles (regardless of the region or tonnage constraints), one must have necessary sea experience as well as pass Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)-approved study courses and tests.

A master, also known as a skipper, is the person who is legally responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone on board as well as the environment, the vessel, and the cargo. Depending on the manning scale, the captain of the ship may or may not also serve as a watchkeeper when the ship is at sea or in port. In most cases, the master is the person in charge of berthing and unberthing the vessel as well as navigating it through limited waterways.

The assistant to the captain who is in charge of the ship's watchkeeping as well as passenger and cargo operations is called the chief mate or chief officer. Traditionally, the chief officer is responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the deck, organizing maintenance, and controlling the working hours of the crew as well as the available resources.

Assistant to the captain who is in charge of watchkeeping (navigation while at sea, passenger/cargo operations, and mooring). Also known as an officer of the watch (OOW).