Hi, I’m a 3rd Mate and thought I’d use my downtime to write some guides for cadets which I’m publishing with Captain Konrad’s permission.
I thought it’d be helpful to share a comprehensive list of maritime jobs, along with brief explanations for each role. Hopefully, this gives anyone interested a better idea of what’s out there!
Deck and Navigation Roles:
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Deck Engine Utility: These are the lowest run on ship. They are usually classed below OS and can be given any basic job like cleaning in the engine room or on deck.
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Deckhand: An entry-level crew member who assists with general maintenance, cleaning, and operations on the ship’s deck. They handle tasks like mooring, cargo handling, and maintaining equipment. A deckhand can be an OS or AB
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Ordinary Seaman: Often callend the “OS” Works under the supervision of more experienced sailors, performing duties like lookout, steering the ship, and basic maintenance tasks.
Able Bodied Seaman: Often called the “AB” these guys are secnd on the rund above OS but below Bosun. They do the majority of the work in the deck department of a ship
Bosun: These are the unlicensed supervisors equivolent to a Chief in the Navy but most merchant ships only have one bosun. -
Helmsman: Responsible for steering the vessel according to the directions of the officer on watch, ensuring the ship stays on its intended course. On most ships this is done by the AB
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Third Officer: A junior officer who assists with navigation and safety duties. They’re often in charge of safety equipment like lifeboats and firefighting gear.
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Second Officer: Primarily responsible for the ship’s navigation and voyage planning. They update charts and ensure all navigational equipment is functioning properly.
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First Officer (Chief Mate): The second-in-command after the captain, overseeing cargo operations, deck crew activities, and safety procedures.
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Navigation Officer: Specializes in plotting the ship’s course, monitoring navigational instruments, and ensuring safe passage.
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Marine Pilot: An expert navigator who boards ships to guide them through hazardous waters or into port, using their local knowledge. These guys are usually very well paid and most were previously ship or tugboat captains. They bounce between different ships.
Engineering and Technical Roles:
- Marine Engineer: Manages the ship’s engines and mechanical systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Electrical Engineer: Takes care of all electrical equipment on board, from power generation to lighting and communication systems.
- Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): Responsible for maintaining electronic and control systems like radar, navigation aids, and automation systems.
- Marine Electrician: Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring and components, troubleshooting any electrical issues that arise.
- Marine Mechanic: Handles the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment, including engines, pumps, and hydraulics.
- Wiper: An entry-level position in the engine department, assisting engineers with maintenance tasks and keeping the engine room clean. Engine room version of an OS
- oiler: These guys are second on the rung above wipers but below Bosun. They do the majority of the work in the engine department of a ship
- QMED: These guys are second on the rung above oilers.Qualified Member of the Engineering Department are senior unlicensed crew member in a ship’s engine room. QMEDs are responsible for a variety of tasks, usually more technical, they are below the officers.
Hospitality and Support Roles:
- Steward/Stewardess: Provides hospitality services to crew and passengers, such as serving meals, cleaning cabins, and managing laundry.
- Chief Steward: Supervises the steward department, managing supplies, meal planning, and overall hospitality operations.
- Cook/Chief Cook: Prepares meals for everyone on board, plans menus, and ensures the galley meets health and safety standards.
- Purser: Handles administrative tasks like payroll, inventory, and passenger services, acting as the ship’s accountant and HR officer.
- Housekeeping Staff: Keeps living quarters and common areas clean and comfortable, ensuring a pleasant environment on board.
Specialized Roles:
- Radio Officer: Manages all communication systems, ensuring reliable contact with other ships and shore stations, and handles emergency communications. Not too many ships have these guys abaord anymore.
- Shipwright: Skilled in shipbuilding and repair techniques, working on the construction and maintenance of vessels.
- Naval Architect: Designs ships and oversees their construction, ensuring they meet safety regulations and performance criteria.
- Hydrographic Surveyor: Maps sea floors and underwater features to aid in navigation, construction, and resource exploration.
- Salvage Diver: Performs underwater operations to recover sunken vessels or cargo, and assists in underwater repairs.
- Commercial Diver: Conducts underwater tasks like inspections, welding, and construction, often in challenging conditions.
- ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Operator: Controls underwater robots used for exploration, inspections, and repairs in deep water.
- Underwater Welder: Combines commercial diving skills with welding to repair or construct structures beneath the water’s surface.
Port and Shore-Based Roles:
- Harbor Master: Oversees port operations, managing vessel traffic, safety protocols, and coordinating with various port services.
- Port Captain: Represents shipping companies in port, ensuring vessels are loaded efficiently and comply with regulations.
- Port Agent: Acts as the liaison between the ship and port authorities, handling logistics like customs clearance and provisioning.
- Dockworker/Longshoreman: Loads and unloads cargo from ships, operating heavy machinery like cranes and forklifts.
- Shipyard Worker: Involved in building, repairing, and maintaining ships at a shipyard, working with various materials and technologies.
- Terminal Manager: Manages operations at cargo terminals, overseeing the efficient movement and storage of products (like oil) and goods.
- Ship Planner: Plans the stowage of cargo on ships to optimize space and ensure the vessel’s balance and stability.
Logistics and Management:
- Shipbroker: Facilitates the buying, selling, and chartering of ships, negotiating deals between shipowners and clients.
- Freight Forwarder: Coordinates the shipment of goods across different transportation modes, handling logistics and documentation.
- Logistics Coordinator: Manages supply chain operations, ensuring timely and cost-effective transportation of goods.
- Customs Broker: Assists importers and exporters in clearing goods through customs, handling all the necessary paperwork.
- Maritime Lawyer: Specializes in laws related to maritime activities, dealing with issues like shipping contracts and maritime disputes.
- Maritime Insurance Broker: Provides insurance solutions for ships and cargo, helping clients manage risks associated with maritime operations.
- Marine Underwriter: Assesses risks and determines insurance terms for maritime assets, setting premiums based on potential liabilities.
- Maritime HR Manager: Manages recruitment, training, and employee relations within maritime companies, ensuring staffing needs are met.
- Marine Superintendent: Oversees ship operations, maintenance, and compliance with regulations, acting as a liaison between ship and shore management.
Safety and Compliance:
- Maritime Safety Officer: Ensures that all safety protocols are followed on board, conducting safety drills and training. This is usually handled by the 3rd mate but sometimes it’s a separate job on ships with a lot of passengers or crew
- Maritime Auditor: Conducts audits to verify that ships and companies comply with industry standards and certifications.
- Port State Control Officer: Inspects foreign ships in national ports to ensure they meet international safety, security, and environmental standards.
- Classification Society Surveyor: Inspects vessels for compliance with technical standards, certifying their seaworthiness for a classification society like ABS or DNV.
- ISM/ISPS Auditor: Audits ships and companies for compliance with the International Safety Management and International Ship and Port Facility Security codes.
- Flag State Inspector: Represents a country’s maritime authority, inspecting ships registered under that flag for compliance with national and international regulations.
Offshore and Oil & Gas Roles:
- Rig Mechanic: Maintains and repairs mechanical equipment on offshore oil rigs, ensuring operational efficiency.
- Rig Electrician: Responsible for electrical systems on rigs, maintaining power generation and distribution equipment.
- Roustabout: An entry-level position on oil rigs, performing general labor tasks to support drilling operations.
- Roughneck: Works on the drilling floor, handling drilling equipment and assisting in the drilling process.
- Toolpusher: Supervises drilling operations and crew, ensuring adherence to procedures and safety regulations.
- Driller: Operates drilling machinery, controlling the drilling process to extract oil or gas.
- Offshore Installation Manager (OIM): The person in charge of the entire offshore platform, overseeing all personnel and operations.
- Derrickman: Works high up on the rig in the derrick, managing drilling fluids and maintaining equipment.
- Crane Operator: Operates cranes on rigs to move heavy equipment and supplies, requiring precision and safety awareness.
Special Vessel Roles:
- Tugboat Captain: Commands a tugboat, assisting larger vessels with maneuvers in ports and narrow waterways.
- Tugboat Engineer: Maintains the mechanical and electrical systems of a tugboat, ensuring it’s always ready to operate.
- Ferry Captain: Operates ferries that transport passengers and vehicles, navigating set routes safely.
- Ferry Engineer: Manages the engineering operations on a ferry, keeping engines and auxiliary systems running smoothly.
- Barge Engineer: Oversees the mechanical and structural integrity of barges used in transportation or offshore operations.
- Bunkering Operator: Manages the refueling of ships, ensuring safe and efficient transfer of fuel in compliance with regulations.
Scientific and Environmental Roles:
- Marine Biologist: Studies marine organisms and ecosystems, contributing to conservation and understanding of marine life.
- Oceanographer: Researches ocean currents, geology, and chemistry to better understand and predict ocean behavior.
- Marine Environmental Officer: Monitors environmental compliance, assessing the impact of maritime activities and promoting sustainability.
- Fisheries Officer: Manages fishery resources, enforcing regulations to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Other Roles:
- Yacht Captain: Commands private or commercial yachts, responsible for navigation, safety, and guest satisfaction.
- Yacht Crew: Includes roles like deckhands, stewards, and chefs who ensure the smooth operation and hospitality services on a yacht.
- Maritime Instructor: Provides training and education for maritime professionals, teaching courses on navigation, safety, and regulations.
- Maritime Journalist: Reports on maritime news and industry trends, writing for publications or producing media content.
- Maritime IT Specialist: Manages IT systems on ships or within maritime organizations, ensuring communication and operational technologies function properly.
- Maritime Recruiter: Specializes in filling positions within the maritime industry, matching qualified candidates with employers.
So there you have it! The maritime world offers a ton of different maritime career opportunities, whether you’re into hands-on deck work, engineering, environmental science, or even hospitality.
What jobs did I miss?
