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Deck Department Ranks

Discover the top 7 deck department ranks on merchant ships. Learn duties, salaries, CoC requirements, and career progression from OS to Master.

•By MerchantNavy.co Editorial Team•8 min read•0 words
deck department ranks

Deck Department Ranks

Deck department ranks define the command structure responsible for navigation, cargo operations, and safety compliance aboard commercial vessels. Every merchant ship operating under the STCW Convention maintains a clear deck hierarchy from Ordinary Seaman to Master. Over 1.89 million seafarers serve on the global fleet, and deck officers form the backbone of safe navigation on routes through the Suez Canal, Strait of Malacca, and Panama Canal [ICS, 2023].

Understanding deck department ranks helps cadets plan their career path, helps recruiters match candidates to vacancies, and helps shore-based staff interpret crew manifests correctly. This list covers all seven primary deck ranks found on bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, and general cargo vessels worldwide.

What Is the Deck Department on a Merchant Ship?

The deck department manages navigation, cargo handling, mooring operations, and regulatory compliance on the navigation bridge and main deck. The Master holds ultimate authority. The Chief Officer runs daily deck operations. Junior officers maintain bridge watches. Ratings execute hands-on tasks under officer supervision [STCW Code, 2010].

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires every officer of the watch to hold a valid Certificate of Competency (CoC) issued by a recognized flag state administration. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India, and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are among the most common certifying authorities for deck officers serving on international trade routes.

1. Ordinary Seaman (OS)

Ordinary Seaman is the entry-level deck rating rank for seafarers beginning their maritime career without an officer license. OS crew members perform basic maintenance and assist senior ratings during cargo and mooring operations.

  • Experience Required: 0–2 years at sea
  • Typical Salary: $800–$1,500 per month
  • Certificate: STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), seafarer medical fitness certificate
  • Key Duties: Deck cleaning, painting, lookout assistance, mooring line handling
  • Career Path: Progress to Able Seaman after 12–18 months of assessed sea service

Ordinary Seamen work under the Bosun and Able Seamen on vessels operated by companies such as Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM. The rank provides practical exposure to bridge procedures, cargo gear, and safety drills before pursuing officer training or rating advancement.

2. Able Seaman (AB)

Able Seaman is a certified deck rating qualified to perform advanced mooring, cargo securing, and navigational watch duties under officer direction. AB is the senior non-officer rank in the deck department.

  • Experience Required: 2–5 years as a deck rating
  • Typical Salary: $1,200–$2,500 per month
  • Certificate: STCW Able Seafarer Deck qualification, BST, medical certificate
  • Key Duties: Mooring operations, cargo lashing, anchor handling, helmsman duties
  • Career Path: Remain as senior rating or apply to nautical college for Deck Cadet program

Able Seamen are essential during port calls at hubs like Rotterdam, Singapore, and Houston. They stand lookout watches, operate deck machinery, and maintain life-saving appliances. Many experienced ABs transition into officer programs through company sponsorship or self-funded maritime academies.

3. Deck Cadet

Deck Cadet is the trainee officer rank for nautical students completing mandatory sea service before their first CoC examination. Cadets learn navigation, cargo operations, and bridge procedures under licensed officer supervision.

  • Experience Required: 0–2 years (during cadetship training period)
  • Typical Salary: $300–$800 per month (training allowance)
  • Certificate: Enrolled in STCW-approved nautical program, BST completed
  • Key Duties: Bridge watchkeeping under supervision, chart work, logbook maintenance, cargo observation
  • Career Path: Qualify as Third Officer after passing OOW (Officer of the Watch) CoC exam

Deck Cadets train on vessels flagged to Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, and other open registries. Training records are logged in a seafarer discharge book or electronic service record. Cadet programs at institutions like Warsash Maritime School, AMET University, and Singapore Polytechnic require 12–18 months of combined sea time before OOW eligibility [IMO Model Course 7.03, 2014].

4. Third Officer

Third Officer is the first licensed deck officer rank, responsible for safety equipment maintenance and bridge watchkeeping on a 4-on-8-off watch rotation. Third Officers hold an STCW II/1 OOW Certificate of Competency.

  • Experience Required: 2–5 years total including cadetship
  • Typical Salary: $2,500–$4,500 per month
  • Certificate: STCW II/1 OOW CoC, GMDSS General Operator Certificate
  • Key Duties: Lifeboat and fire equipment inspections, bridge watch, port-stay safety rounds
  • Career Path: Accumulate 18 months OOW sea service, then sit for Second Officer CoC

Third Officers maintain immersion suits, life rafts, and fire detection systems per SOLAS requirements. They are often the ship's designated safety officer on smaller vessels. Companies like Anglo-Eastern Ship Management and V.Ships place high demand on OOW-qualified Third Officers for container and tanker fleets.

5. Second Officer

Second Officer is the navigation specialist responsible for voyage planning, chart corrections, and electronic navigation system management. This rank holds an STCW II/2 Second Mate CoC.

  • Experience Required: 5–8 years total sea service
  • Typical Salary: $3,500–$6,000 per month
  • Certificate: STCW II/2 Second Mate CoC, advanced ECDIS training
  • Key Duties: Passage planning, chart updates, weather routing, medical inventory management
  • Career Path: Complete 18 months as Second Officer, then qualify for Chief Mate CoC

Second Officers use ECDIS, AIS, and radar systems to plan routes that comply with MARPOL emission control areas and TSS (Traffic Separation Schemes). They correct nautical charts using Notice to Mariners data from the UK Hydrographic Office and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The Second Officer also typically serves as the ship's medical officer on vessels without a dedicated doctor.

6. Chief Officer (Chief Mate)

Chief Officer is the second-in-command of the vessel and the head of all deck department operations including cargo, ballast, and crew management. Chief Officers hold an STCW II/2 Chief Mate CoC.

  • Experience Required: 8–12 years total sea service
  • Typical Salary: $5,000–$9,000 per month
  • Certificate: STCW II/2 Chief Mate CoC, advanced cargo handling endorsements
  • Key Duties: Cargo loading and discharge planning, ballast water management, deck crew supervision, safety compliance
  • Career Path: Complete 18 months as Chief Officer, pass Master CoC examination

Chief Officers coordinate stevedores during port operations at terminals operated by DP World, PSA International, and APM Terminals. They manage the stability booklet, cargo securing manual, and deck maintenance schedule. On tankers, Chief Officers hold additional Tanker Familiarization and advanced chemical or oil cargo endorsements per STCW V/1 [STCW Code, 2010].

7. Master (Captain)

Master is the highest deck department rank and holds full legal command authority over the vessel, crew, cargo, and all operational decisions. The Master holds an STCW II/2 Master CoC unlimited or near-coastal, depending on trading area.

  • Experience Required: 12–15+ years total sea service
  • Typical Salary: $8,000–$16,000 per month (varies by vessel type and company)
  • Certificate: STCW II/2 Master CoC, GMDSS, ship-specific type endorsements
  • Key Duties: Overall vessel command, regulatory compliance, port authority liaison, crew welfare
  • Career Path: Shore-based roles as Marine Superintendent, Port Captain, or DP Superintendent

The Master represents the shipowner before Port State Control inspectors from Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU, and US Coast Guard. The Master signs the ship's logbook, approves passage plans, and has overriding authority during emergencies under the ISM Code. Masters on LNG carriers operated by companies like Shell Shipping and Qatar Gas earn among the highest salaries in the deck department.

How Do You Choose the Right Deck Rank to Target?

Selecting a deck department rank target depends on your education level, financial resources, and long-term career goals. Candidates with a 12th-grade science background can enter a Deck Cadet program directly. Experienced ratings can leverage sea time toward an officer CoC through alternative certification routes offered by some flag states.

Consider these factors when planning your deck career:

  • Education pathway: Nautical college degree vs. rating-to-officer route
  • Vessel type preference: Container ships offer fixed schedules; tankers pay higher salaries
  • Flag state CoC: MCA, DGS, MPA, and USCG licenses have different recognition and processing times
  • Company sponsorship: Anglo-Eastern, Fleet Management, and Scorpio Group sponsor cadet programs with bonded contracts
  • Examination timeline: Each CoC promotion requires minimum sea service and written/oral examinations

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reach Master from Deck Cadet?

The standard progression from Deck Cadet to Master takes 12 to 15 years. Each promotion requires 12–18 months of sea service in rank plus passing a CoC examination administered by the flag state. Delays in examination scheduling or limited promotion vacancies on smaller fleets can extend this timeline by 2–3 years.

What is the difference between Chief Officer and Master?

The Chief Officer manages cargo operations, deck crew, and daily maintenance. The Master holds sole legal authority for the vessel under international maritime law. The Master makes final navigational decisions, signs statutory documents, and answers to the shipowner and flag state. The Chief Officer is the Master's direct deputy and assumes command if the Master is incapacitated.

Can a deck rating become an officer without going to college?

Yes. Experienced Able Seamen in several flag states can pursue an officer CoC through the rating-to-officer pathway after completing additional academic modules and sea service assessments. The UK MCA, Indian DGS, and Philippine MARINA each operate distinct rating-to-officer schemes. The process typically adds 3–5 years compared to a direct cadet entry route.

Which deck rank earns the highest salary?

Master earns the highest salary in the deck department. LNG and chemical tanker Masters on international voyages command $14,000–$18,000 per month with senior operators. Container ship Masters at major lines like Maersk and Evergreen typically earn $10,000–$14,000 per month depending on vessel size and trade route.

References & Citations

  • [ICS, 2023] International Chamber of Shipping. "Seafarer Workforce Report."
  • [STCW Code, 2010] International Maritime Organization. "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping."
  • [IMO Model Course 7.03, 2014] International Maritime Organization. "Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch."
  • [SOLAS, 2020] International Maritime Organization. "Safety of Life at Sea Convention."
  • [MLC, 2006] International Labour Organization. "Maritime Labour Convention."
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