Chief Officer Jobs on Tankers

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This page is not a single vacancy: apply to be considered for Chief Officer posts on oil and chemical tankers when they open.

On a tanker the chief officer is the cargo officer. He or she plans every load, discharge and tank cleaning, calculates quantities from ullages and temperatures, and runs the cargo control room during operations. On chemical tankers one voyage can carry ten or more grades in separate tanks, so cargo compatibility, segregation and line-up checks are a daily job. The chief officer also leads enclosed space entry, gas freeing and the inert gas system, and is responsible for ballast and stability during cargo work.

Certificates for Chief Officer posts on oil and chemical tankers

Certificate of Competency as Chief Mate (STCW Reg. II/2)
Basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations, followed by advanced training for oil tanker and/or chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW Reg. V/1-1)
For the advanced endorsement: at least 3 months of approved seagoing service on that tanker type, or 1 month of approved on-board training as supernumerary with at least 3 loading and 3 unloading operations
Proficiency in designated security duties (STCW Reg. VI/6) and medical care or medical first aid as the company requires
Familiarity with ISGOTT, the P&A Manual and Cargo Record Book (chemical tankers, MARPOL Annex II) and the Oil Record Book Part II (oil tankers)

Watches, trade and contract

During cargo work the chief officer usually stays on day work and supervises the duty officers, while at sea many tankers put the chief officer on the 4 to 8 watch. Cargo days are long: pre-transfer conferences with the terminal, the ship/shore safety checklist, starting and stopping pumps, crude oil washing on crude carriers and tank inspections by surveyors before loading. Vetting inspectors spend a large part of a SIRE inspection with the chief officer.

Contract length: commonly 4 to 5 months, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

Advanced tanker endorsement already issued, ideally with the flag endorsement for the ship’s flag
Experience as chief officer, or as second officer and cargo planner, on the same tanker type
Experience of the cargo systems on board: deepwell pumps (for example Framo) or a pump room, inert gas, tank cleaning machines
Experience of SIRE 2.0 inspections and terminal operations; STS experience is a plus

How to apply

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Fill in your CV with your sea service on oil and chemical tankers, your CoC and the certificates listed above, and upload copies.
Apply to this post and make your profile visible to verified employers, so crewing agencies and shipowners can find you when a vacancy opens.

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