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Merchant Navy Deck Officer

Merchant navy deck officers are second in charge on a ship. They are responsible for helping the captain run and navigate the ship, and loading and discharging cargo.

 

Tasks & duties

Merchant navy deck officers may do some or all of the following:

  • check the position, course and speed of the ship
  • take charge of the ship when on watch
  • arrange repairs, fuel and supplies for the ship
  • supervise the loading, unloading and storage of cargo
  • organise work activities for the crew on deck
  • be responsible for ship security

 

Specialisations

As merchant navy deck officers gain experience they may specialise in different roles such as supervising the discharge and loading of cargo, engineering inspections or repairs, and/or the navigation, control and pilotage of the ship.

 

Skills & knowledge

Merchant navy deck officers need to have:

  • knowledge of the requirements for running and supplying a ship
  • navigational skills
  • knowledge of tides, waters, coastlines, marine hazards and the weather, and how these vary depending on where their vessel is
  • understanding of working with cargo, ballast and fuel
  • knowledge of maritime laws and Maritime Safety Authority requirements
  • knowledge of safety procedures and methods such as fire-fighting, rescue, and collision prevention
  • skill using radio communications equipment
  • communication skills, and the ability to lead and manage a crew
  • organisational skills
  • decision-making ability
  • maths skills
  • computer skills

 

Entry requirements

To become a merchant navy deck officer you must complete the Certificate of Competency as Second Mate of a Foreign Going Ship at the New Zealand Maritime School which is run through the Manukau Institute of Technology.

Trainees must also complete 36 months' sea service on a merchant navy ship of over 500 tonnes. However, by keeping a Trainee Record Book and completing a correspondence training course you can reduce the period of compulsory sea service to 24 months.

Further information about seagoing qualifications is available from Maritime New Zealand.

 

Secondary education

Sixth Form Certificate or NCEA equivalent English, maths and physics is needed to enter tertiary training.

 

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Merchant navy deck officers may also attend training and correspondence courses to keep their skills up to date. Normally three deck officers (ranked third mate, second mate and first mate) work on a vessel under the ship's master's control. They move through the rankings from third to first mate by undertaking further training and qualifications.

Further information regarding seagoing qualifications is available from the Maritime New Zealand.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for merchant navy deck officers includes:

  • deck cadet training with a shipping company
  • work as deck crew
  • service in the Navy

 

Related courses

Marine Craft Operation

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

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