Engineering Officer
August 31, 2016
Training, education and experience needed to pursue the various maritime related careers
August 31, 2016
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Captain Steve Tucker on the bridge of the LNG Carrier Al Marrouna. Photograph : Captain Tucker

The rank structure among navigating officers on a merchant ship (containership, bulker, tanker, etc.) is as follows :

  • Navigating Cadet
  • Third Mate
  • Second Mate
  • Chief Mate
  • Master (Captain)

The career path from a Grade 12 student to the Master of a large ship is as follows :

  • Grade 12 (with English, mathematics and physical science as subjects, and at least 55 percent in each)
  • One year at the Maritime Studies Department, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Granger Bay, Cape Town (Note : This course may change; please see the Maritime Studies Department website for up to date information.
  • Navigation Cadet on a ship at sea for a total of 18 Months at sea, interspersed with leave. This is a training period where the cadet starts with menial tasks and gradually is given more complex tasks and more responsibilities.
  • Oral examinations conducted by the South African Maritime Safety Authority in Cape Town. If the cadet passes that oral examination, he/she will gain his/her Second Mate’s Certificate of Competency.
  • The Cadet can be appointed as a Third Navigating Officer (Third Mate) on a ship at sea. Among his/her duties are the following:
    • On Bridge Watches at sea from 08:00 to 12:00 and 20:00 to Midnight
    • On cargo watches in port as arranged (usually six hours on; twelve off)
    • Usually in charge of the Stern Party when the ship is entering or leaving port or going to anchor
    • Ensures all life-saving and fire-fighting equipment is operational
    • Other duties as assigned by the senior officers on board the ship.
  • The Third Mate will spend 24 months at sea, interspersed with leave, plus 1 year’s course at CPUT before he/she can proceed to the next level of oral examination. (He/she may be promoted to Second Mate, depending on his/her efficiency, shows great initiative, and attitude.)
  • Oral examinations conducted by the South African Maritime Safety Authority in Cape Town. If the officer passes that oral examination, he/she will gain his/her Chief Mate’s Certificate of Competency.
  • If successful, and provided he/she has a good record of efficiency, shows great initiative, and has a positive attitude, the Third Mate may be appointed as Second Navigating Officer (Second Mate) on a ship at sea (if not serving at that rank already..
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Second Mate Tyrone Campbell aboard the bulk carrier IVS Kinglet. Photograph : Tyrone Campbell

 

  • The officer spends 24 months at sea as Third Mate or Second Mate, interspersed with leave. (In some cases where the officer shows exceptional ability and initiative, the officer might be promoted to Chief Navigating Officer at sea.)
  • Second Mate’s duties include the following :
    • On Bridge Watches at sea from midnight to 04:00 and noon to 16:00
    • On cargo watches in port as arranged (usually six hours on; twelve off)
    • Usually in charge of the Fo’c’sle Party when the ship is entering or leaving port or going to anchor
    • Compiles the ship’s passage plan to the next port for approval by the Master
    • Ensures all navigation equipment is operational and that all charts are updated
    • Usually the medical officer on board (unless a doctor is carried)
  • Oral examinations conducted by the South African Maritime Safety Authority in Cape Town. If the officer passes that oral examination, he/she will gain his/her Master’s Certificate of Competency.
  • If successful, and provided he/she has a good record of efficiency, shows great initiative, and has a positive attitude, the officer may be appointed as Chief Navigating Officer (Chief Mate) on a ship at sea (if not serving at that rank already).
  • The Chief Mate’s duties include the following :
    • On Bridge Watches from 04:00 to 08:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00
    • On cargo watches in port as arranged (usually six hours on; twelve off)
    • Usually on the bridge when the ship enters of leaves port
    • Responsible for the ship’s maintenance programme
    • Responsible for the cargo stowage and ballasting
    • In charge of the deck ratings
    • In charge of training of all subordinates, especially navigating cadets on board
  • The officer may continue for a while in his/her present rank, or be promoted to a higher rank, but probably he/she will not be promoted to the rank of Master until he/she has gained a lot more experience at sea and has shown that he/she is capable of assuming the very responsible rank of Master (Captain).
  • The duties of the Master include the following, although he may delegate some of the actual work to other officers. (He nevertheless remains responsible for the overall efficient and safe operation of the ship.) :
    • In overall command of the ship
    • The owner’s representative and liaison with the owner on all matters
    • Leadership and management of the officers and crew on board
    • Training of all on board, especially the cadets and navigating officers
    • Responsible for ensuring that the ship complies with all the IMO codes, conventions, regulations as well as regulations of local authorities (e.g. port state control in a port at which the ship will call; local customs or immigration regulations, etc.)
    • Responsible for ensuring her safety at all times
    • Responsible for the safe navigation of the ship
    • Responsible for the safety of all on board
    • Responsible for the safety of the cargo on board
    • Responsible for the accounting for all goods, stores, and money on board
    • Usually the liaison person on board for shoreside officials (owners, charterers, immigration, customs, port health, surveyors, ship’s agents, classification society, ship chandlers)
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Captain Rodney Young, Master of the passenger/cargo ship RMS St Helena. Photograph : Captain Young