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

The third officer on a tanker looks after the life-saving and fire-fighting equipment and keeps navigational and cargo watches. On a tanker that equipment includes the deck foam system, the fixed fire-fighting system of the pump room, portable gas detectors, emergency escape breathing devices and breathing apparatus used for enclosed space entry. Many tanker companies hire third officers from their own cadets, so a first job on a tanker often comes after a cadet contract or a junior officer post on another ship type.

Certificates for Third 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), required for officers with specific duties related to cargo
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate (STCW Reg. IV/2), ECDIS and the company’s ECDIS type training
Advanced fire fighting (STCW Reg. VI/3), survival craft (VI/2) and Basic Training (VI/1)
Some operators ask for a gas detection and enclosed space entry course

Watches, trade and contract

At sea the third officer usually keeps the 8 to 12 watch. In port the third officer shares cargo watches with the second officer, connects and disconnects with the deck crew, checks the moorings and records tank readings. Enclosed space entry drills are required at least every two months (SOLAS Reg. III/19), and the third officer prepares the equipment for them.

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

What employers ask for

Tanker cadet sea time, or previous junior officer service on tankers
Clear records for the life-saving and fire-fighting equipment
Basic tanker certificate and flag endorsements ready before joining
Good English for communication with terminals and vetting inspectors

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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