Second 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 Second Officer posts on oil and chemical tankers when they open.

The second officer on a tanker is the navigation officer, as on other ships, and keeps cargo watches in port under the chief officer. On a cargo watch the second officer checks tank levels, pressures and temperatures, the mooring lines and gangway, takes samples and ullages with the terminal or surveyor and records everything in the cargo log. Vetting inspectors check the passage plans, the chart and ECDIS corrections and the bridge checklists, so the second officer’s paperwork is part of the ship’s vetting result.

Certificates for Second Officer posts on oil and chemical tankers

Certificate of Competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (STCW Reg. II/1)
Basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW Reg. V/1-1); many operators want the advanced endorsement before promotion to chief officer
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate (STCW Reg. IV/2) and ECDIS type-specific familiarisation
Proficiency in designated security duties (STCW Reg. VI/6)
Flag endorsements (STCW Reg. I/10) for the CoC and the tanker certificate

Watches, trade and contract

At sea the second officer usually keeps the 12 to 4 watch. In port the deck watch on a tanker follows the cargo, often 6 hours on and 6 hours off during operations. The second officer also prepares the passage plan from berth to berth, including the terminal’s under-keel clearance and pilot boarding requirements, and helps with drills and with the cargo calculations as part of training for the next rank.

Contract length: commonly 4 to 6 months, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

Previous contracts as second or third officer on tankers, ideally of the same type and size
Good passage planning and ECDIS records that pass vetting
Experience of cargo watches and ullaging (closed sampling and gauging)
Willingness to complete the advanced tanker course and company training

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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