Second 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 Second Officer vacancies.

What a Second Officer does

The second officer is a watchkeeping officer and, on most ships, the navigation officer. The job covers passage planning, keeping charts and nautical publications corrected (paper or ECDIS), the bridge equipment, and the 12 to 4 navigational watch. On many ships the second officer also looks after the GMDSS equipment and the medical locker. During cargo work he or she keeps a deck watch under the chief officer.

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); some companies ask for medical care if the second officer is the medical officer
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
On tankers and gas carriers: basic tanker training (STCW Reg. V/1-1 or V/1-2)

Sea service and promotion

Most second officers have served as third officer first. To move up to chief officer, STCW Reg. II/2 requires at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as officer in charge of a navigational watch, followed by the chief mate course and examination of the flag state.

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.