How to become Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)

How to become Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)

How to become Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)
Suman Adhikari

The second-in-command on a commercial ship in the merchant navy, also called the chief officer, ensures the ship's safe navigation and functioning. The chief mate answers to the captain and oversees the deck department. Regarding seafarer ranks, the Chief Officer is directly under the ship's Master and is second in command. If the Master cannot function, such as if they become ill, the CO will assume command.

What is a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)?

The Chief Officer, sometimes known as the First Officer, Chief Mate, or First Mate, is the senior-most officer and head of the Deck Department. The CO is ultimately in charge of ensuring that the ship is operated effectively. The Second and Third Officers support them. Regarding ship captain ranks, the Chief Officer is the ship's second in command and answers directly to the Master. If the Master should become ill or become handicapped, for instance, the CO will assume command. Chief Officer positions are available in the merchant navy on various ships, such as container ships, car carriers, LNG boats, oil tankers, cargo ships, heavy load carriers, and bulk carriers.

What are the role and responsibilities of a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)?

  • Helping the captain with the general management and functioning of the ship.
  • Maintaining the ship's communication and navigational systems.
  • Ensuring the ship's and its crew's safety and security.
  • Control of freight loading and unloading.
  • Maintaining and ensuring the ship's deck equipment is operating well.
  • Participated in the creation and execution of the ship's emergency response strategy.

How to Become a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)? Qualifications

Seamanship and navigation

The concepts of navigation and seamanship, including using electronic navigation systems and conventional navigation techniques, must be thoroughly understood by chief officers. Using charts, radar, and other navigational tools are all skills a chief officer must possess. The chief officer oversees charting the ship's path and ensuring it travels safely and effectively.

Technical knowledge skill

The operation and upkeep of the ship's systems and equipment are among the technical facets of maritime transportation that a chief officer should be well-versed in. The chief officer should also be knowledgeable about applicable laws and standards.

Physical fitness skill

A chief officer must be physically healthy and able to do strenuous activities, as the position often entails working long hours in difficult circumstances.

Safety

A chief officer must be able to administer and enforce safety standards on board the vessel and requires a complete awareness of safety procedures and regulations. Additionally, the chief officer must be able to manage crises and react quickly to catastrophes.

Leadership skill

A chief officer must be able to manage and lead a group of deckhands, making sure they are skilled and capable of carrying out their tasks. The chief officer should also be able to assign responsibilities efficiently and maturely resolve disputes.

Other Skills

  • Physical fitness
  • Mental and emotional resilience
  • Decision-making
  • Knowledge of maritime laws and regulations
  • Stability and cargo handling
  • Navigation and seamanship

Steps to Becoming a Successful Chief Officer (Merchant Navy).

Academic Requirements

  • Obtain a bachelor's degree in a maritime-related field, such as naval architecture or marine engineering.
  • Finishing a training course given the green light by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or another appropriate regulatory agency could involve instruction in the classroom and on the job, covering a range of subjects like emergency response, safety protocols, and navigation.
  • Obtain a chief officer certificate of competency, which the MCA or another regulatory organisation gives. You normally need at least two years of sea service in a deck department and complete several tests and assessments to qualify for a chief officer certificate.
  • Maintain your chief officer certificate by participating in regular training and examinations to ensure you're current on the newest rules and practices.

Acquire more knowledge after high school.

A bachelor's degree in a maritime-related area, like marine engineering or naval architecture, is normally required if you wish to join the merchant navy as a chief officer. With the help of experiential learning experiences, this kind of degree program will give you a foundation in the ideas and methods of marine operations as well as useful skills and experience one must complete a training program authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or another pertinent regulatory authority after earning your bachelor's degree. This course may cover a range of subjects, such as emergency response, safety protocols, and navigation, in both the classroom and the field.

Experience (work and related fields)

A particular amount of sea service experience in a deck department is normally required to become a chief officer in the merchant navy. It is usually expressed in months or years of service, which may differ depending on the country where you're looking for work. One must fulfil the maritime service criteria and pass several tests and examinations to prove your competence as a chief officer. Exams that fit this description include written, oral, and practical tests.

Training (job or related fields)

One must complete a training course that has been certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or another appropriate regulatory agency to become a chief officer in the merchant navy. This course may cover a range of subjects, such as emergency response, safety protocols, and navigation, in both the classroom and the field. The country where you seek work and your prior education and experience will affect the training program's specific content and length.

Career

One will oversee a commercial ship's deck department, which includes duties like navigation, cargo operations, and equipment maintenance, as a chief officer in the merchant navy. One will work with other officers and crew members as a team under the ship's captain. Normally, chief officers work on a rotating schedule, spending many months on board a ship before departing for a while. One may travel to different ports worldwide and work on various vessel types, such as cargo ships, passenger ships, and offshore supply vessels.

Employment areas

  • International trade
  • Passenger transportation
  • Offshore oil and gas industry
  • Military operations
  • Fishing vessels
  • Tugboats
  • Bulk carriers

Job titles

  • Chief mate
  • First mate
  • Second officer
  • Senior deck officer
  • Navigating Officer
  • Captain
  • Master Mariner

Salary of a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)

Let us see the average annual salary of a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy) in some popular countries.

Country

Annual Average Salary of a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)

Australia

$56,911 (AUD)/yr

Argentina

$ 1.222.955 (ARS)/yr

Belgium

34.290 € (EUR)/yr

Brazil

R$48.131 (BRL)/yr

Canada

$45,028 (CAD)/yr

China

¥100,880 (CNY)/yr

Costa Rica

₡7 625 691 (CRC)/yr

Denmark

313.717 kr. (DKK)/yr

Egypt

84,839 ج.م.‏ (EGP)/yr

Finland

32 789 € (EUR)/yr

France

27 172 € (EUR)/yr

Germany

32.517 € (EUR)/yr

Hong Kong SAR

HK$253,297 (HKD)/yr

India

₹4,43,380 (INR)/yr

Italy

24.563 € (EUR)/yr

Japan

¥3,435,626 (JPY)/yr

Malaysia

RM48,512 (MYR)/yr

Mexico

$162,853 (MXN)/yr

Netherlands

€ 34.069 (EUR)/yr

New Zealand

$49,893 (NZD)/yr

Poland

56 149 zł (PLN)/yr

Portugal

18 146 € (EUR)/yr

Russian Federation

525 661 ₽ (RUB)/yr

Switzerland

CHF 52'096 (CHF)/yr

Spain

23.242 € (EUR)/yr

Thailand

฿358,434 (THB)/yr

UK

£24,018 (GBP)/yr

Ukraine

159 305 ₴ (UAH)/yr

United Arab Emirates

114,875 د.إ.‏ (AED)/yr

United States

$39,564 (USD)/yr

Vietnam

106.487.338 ₫ (VND)/yr

Training Course for a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy).

Discuss some degrees to become a successful Chief Officer (Merchant Navy).

Level

Program

   

    Diploma

Diploma in Marine engineering principles and practices

Diploma in Ship design and construction

Diploma in Marine propulsion systems

Diploma in Maritime law and regulations

Diploma in Marine safety and environmental protection



   Bachelors

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

Bachelor in Navigation and communication systems

Bachelor in Shipboard operations and maintenance

Bachelor in Business and management principles for the shipping industry

Bachelor in Marine safety and environmental protection

Bachelor in Ship design and construction

Bachelor in Marine propulsion systems

Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology

Masters

Masters in Advanced marine engineering principles and practices

Masters in Advanced ship design and construction

Masters in Advanced marine propulsion systems

Master’s in Business and management principles for the shipping industry

Masters in Advanced navigation and communication systems

Masters in Advanced marine safety and environmental protection

Master of Science in Marine Engineering

Master of Science in Ocean Engineering




      PHD

PhD in Marine Biology

PhD in Advanced marine engineering principles and practices

PhD in Advanced ship design and construction

PhD in Advanced marine propulsion systems

PhD in Advanced maritime law and regulations

PhD in Advanced shipboard operations and maintenance   

PhD in Ocean Engineering

PhD in Marine Engineering

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)

Being a chief officer in the merchant navy has several advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of becoming a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy).

  • Prospects for career progression
  • Fair compensation
  • Travel internationally
  • Improvement of one's career
  • Job security
  • Feeling of achievement

Disadvantages of becoming a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy).

  • A protracted absence from home
  • Risk of disease or harm
  • minimal family and social life
  • Insufficient personal space
  • Risk of piracy
  • Risk of natural disasters

How to Become a Chief Officer (Merchant Navy)? FAQs

What is the Merchant Navy?

The Merchant Navy, a sector of the maritime transportation sector, handles the international trade of goods. The sailors and ships that transport products and supplies by sea are included.

What does a career in the Merchant Navy involve?

A Merchant Navy career involves working on a ship as a crew member. Duties can include navigating the ship, operating machinery, maintaining equipment, and performing various tasks to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the vessel.

How long are the workdays in the Merchant Navy?

Depending on your role and the ship you are working on, the working hours in the merchant navy can change. Many jobs entail long hours, frequently rotating, and may require time away from home.

Is the Merchant Navy a good career choice?

A career in the merchant navy can be gratifying for those who enjoy travelling and are enthusiastic about working on ships. But it can also be difficult because it requires a lot of time away from home and might be physically demanding. Before choosing a choice, assessing whether this line of work fits you thoroughly is crucial.

Is merchant navy a hard job?

Making a career in the Merchant Navy is not difficult but requires high levels of dedication.

Is a Chief Officer a captain?

The chief mate and the captain of a ship are distinct roles in accountability. Everything on the ship is the captain's responsibility; the chief mate is accountable for his duties. The crewmate's responsibility is loading and stowing the ship's cargo.

Related Posts :

blog

BSC Nursing in India

BSc Nursing in India: Eligibility Criteria, entrance test, government colleges, Private Colleges, and Cost of Studying. BSC Nursing jobs in India.
Rojina RautTue Apr 25 2023
blog

Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) in India

Complete guide to Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) In India, like TOP BBA Colleges, BBA entrance Exams and other highlights of BBA in India.
Meena TamangTue Apr 25 2023