Third Officer Jobs

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This is not a single vacancy with a fixed joining date: apply to be considered for upcoming Third Officer vacancies.

What a Third Officer does

The third officer is the junior watchkeeping officer. He or she keeps the 8 to 12 navigational watch and on most ships is responsible for the life-saving and fire-fighting appliances: lifeboats, liferafts, lifejackets, immersion suits, extinguishers and the records of their inspections. The third officer also keeps deck watches in port, helps with mooring stations and with the drills required by SOLAS.

Certificates required

Certificate of Competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (STCW Reg. II/1)
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate (STCW Reg. IV/2)
ECDIS training and type-specific familiarisation
Medical first aid (STCW Reg. VI/4)
Advanced fire fighting (STCW Reg. VI/3)
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (STCW Reg. VI/2)
Basic Training (STCW Reg. VI/1): personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities
Proficiency in designated security duties (STCW Reg. VI/6)
Seafarer medical certificate (STCW Reg. I/9 and MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2), valid for a maximum of 2 years
Flag endorsement (STCW Reg. I/10) if the ship flies a different flag from the country that issued your certificate

Sea service and promotion

STCW Reg. II/1 requires approved seagoing service of at least 12 months as part of an approved training programme (documented in a training record book), or at least 36 months otherwise, including at least 6 months of bridge watchkeeping under supervision. Many first jobs as third officer go to cadets who sailed with the same company. Next step: second officer, then chief officer after 12 months as watchkeeping officer.

Typical ships

Contract length

Commonly 4 to 6 months, set by the employer for each vacancy. MLC 2006 limits continuous service on board to less than 12 months before the seafarer is entitled to repatriation.