Deck officers are responsible for important navigational, operational, safety, and management duties onboard ships.
Career progression may include positions such as:
Deck Cadet
Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch
Third Officer
Second Officer
Chief Officer
Master
The requirements depend on the exact certification and rank.
Education
Officer pathways generally involve maritime education and structured training.
Applicants should verify the current education requirements applicable to their intended certification.
Training
Deck officers may need STCW training covering areas appropriate to their responsibilities.
Additional training may be required for particular vessel types or duties.
Sea Service
Qualifying sea service can be an important component of officer certification.
The amount and type required depends on the certificate being pursued.
Certification
Certain officer positions require a MARINA Certificate of Competency.
The specific COC depends on the rank and applicable STCW regulation.
Promotion
Moving to higher management-level positions may require:
Additional sea service
Additional training
Assessment
Existing certification
Other documentary requirements
MARINA provides documentary requirement information through its STCW Administration Office.
Important
Do not rely on a single checklist for every deck officer position.
Always identify the exact certificate and rank first, then check the corresponding current MARINA requirements.
