Second Officer Jobs on Passenger Ships and Ferries

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 passenger ships and ferries when they open.

On cruise ships the bridge works as a team: a second officer may be the officer of the watch with a junior officer and a lookout, under procedures that are stricter than on most cargo ships. Second officers often also have a safety role, such as safety officer, environmental duties or training officer, depending on the company. On ro-ro passenger ferries the second officer handles short sea crossings with frequent arrivals and departures, and the loading of vehicles with the chief officer.

Certificates for Second Officer posts on passenger ships and ferries

Certificate of Competency as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (STCW Reg. II/1)
Passenger ship training (STCW Reg. V/2): crowd management, crisis management and human behaviour, and passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity on ro-ro passenger ships
GMDSS (STCW Reg. IV/2), ECDIS type training, advanced fire fighting (VI/3)
Company bridge resource management and ship-specific training

Watches, trade and contract

Cruise ships commonly use 4 on and 8 off bridge watches. A muster of newly embarked passengers is required before or immediately on departure under SOLAS Reg. III/19, and crew drills are frequent, so officers on passenger ships spend more time on safety and drills than on cargo ships. Ferry crews often work fixed rotations, for example one or two weeks on and off, set by the operator.

Contract length: commonly 3 to 4 months on cruise ships; ferry rotations are often shorter, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

Watchkeeping experience on passenger ships, ferries or other ships with bridge teams
STCW V/2 certificates already issued
Good spoken English and communication with passengers in an emergency
Clean medical, including the company’s own fitness standard

How to apply

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Fill in your CV with your sea service on passenger ships and ferries, 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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