Seafarers Recruitment
Deck Department Jobs
The deck department navigates the ship, handles cargo and mooring, and maintains the hull, deck equipment and safety equipment. Officers hold STCW Chapter II certificates: Reg. II/1 for watchkeeping officers and Reg. II/2 for chief mate and master (Reg. II/3 for ships under 500 GT). Deck ratings hold RFPNW (Reg. II/4) and Able Seafarer Deck (Reg. II/5).
Ranks
- Master: The master is in overall command of the ship.
- Chief Officer: The chief officer is the head of the deck department and second in command after the master.
- Second Officer: The second officer is a watchkeeping officer and, on most ships, the navigation officer.
- Third Officer: The third officer is the junior watchkeeping officer.
- Bosun: The bosun (boatswain) is the senior deck rating.
- Able Seaman (AB): The AB is a skilled deck rating.
- Ordinary Seaman (OS): The OS is the entry-level deck rating.
Career path
A typical route is deck cadet, third officer, second officer, chief officer, master. Ratings move from ordinary seaman to able seaman and bosun; an AB can also qualify as officer of the watch through STCW Reg. II/1 with 36 months of approved seagoing service.
Deck cadets are listed on the cadet jobs page.
Jobs by ship type
- Bulk carriers
- Oil and chemical tankers
- Container ships
- LNG and LPG carriers
- Offshore vessels
- Passenger ships and ferries
- General cargo and multipurpose ships
- Tugs and offshore supply vessels
Jobs by rank and ship type
- Master Jobs on Tankers
- Chief Officer Jobs on Tankers
- Second Officer Jobs on Tankers
- Third Officer Jobs on Tankers
- Able Seaman (AB) Jobs on Tankers
- Master Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Chief Officer Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Second Officer Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Third Officer Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Bosun Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Able Seaman (AB) Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Master Jobs on Container Ships
- Chief Officer Jobs on Container Ships
- Master Jobs on LNG and LPG Carriers
- Chief Officer Jobs on LNG and LPG Carriers
- Master Jobs on Offshore Vessels
- Chief Officer (DPO) Jobs on Offshore Vessels
- Able Seaman (AB) Jobs on Offshore Vessels
- Second Officer Jobs on Passenger Ships and Ferries
- Yacht Captain Jobs (Master, Yacht)
How to apply
All posts on this page are open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. Create a free seafarer account, complete your CV once and apply to the rank you hold. Employers can then find your profile when a vacancy opens.
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Other departments
Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.