What are you interested in?
The Career Development pages relate to the technical professional seafaring roles on board.
For further Career Development information on Hotel and Catering, Hospitality & Support Services and Opportunities Ashore please go to Roles.
- Understudies the Chief Officer.
- Is specifically responsible for the navigation of the vessel and keeping charts and publications up to date.
- Monitors the navigation and radio equipment on the bridge, undertake the watch when at sea and the cargo watch when in port.
The 2nd Officer may also be the designated security, safety or medical officer.
What qualities & skills will you need?
You'll need to be decisive, calm and able to inspire confidence in others. You'll be a good team member with mathematical ability, an interest in technology, and good written and verbal communication skills. Beyond that, confidence, enthusiasm and self-reliance are essential attributes.
For each of the ranks mentioned above you will have to hold a Certificate of Competency which is issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. You will receive the first of these certificates (the Officer Of the Watch certificate, also known as the OOW certificate) when you complete your Merchant Navy Training Board approved training course which is delivered through one of the maritime institutions. A list of maritime institutions is available. Further certificates will be gained as you increase your experience at sea and pass the required examinations. You will need to have the Certificate for the next rank before you can be promoted into it - so it's important to get them as soon as you can!