The deck department includes crew members who are responsible for navigating the vessel and handling its cargo. Deck jobs can be acquired by attending a maritime college in Canada or a maritime academy in the U.S. and joining the industry as an officeholder, or by beginning in an entry-level position and working up the career run. Shipping companies and labor movement unions encourage mariners to expand their credentials and frequently offer opportunities for continuing train and education. Personnel working in the deck department are divided into two categories : licensed and unlicensed .
Licensed Personnel (Officers)
Deck officers hold licenses issued by the U.S. Coast Guard or Transport Canada. Becoming an policeman in the deck department requires either gaining sufficient feel and sea time as an able mariner and passing the proper examinations ; or earning a bachelor ’ s degree from a merchant marine academy in the U.S. or college diploma from a nautical college in Canada and passing examinations to be licensed as a third spouse. Career promotion as an officer is achieved through experience, sea prison term and completion of extra professional examinations .
Master or Captain
The Master, or Captain, is a accredited member of the deck department and the ship ’ sulfur highest ranking officer with overall province for the vessel ’ s crowd and operations including the protection of the vessel, its cargo and the environment. On a daily basis these responsibilities can range from managing personnel resources, managing the seafaring of the vessel according to prescribed standards, ensuring complaisance to guard and quality system management performance standards, ensuring the security of the vessel and to managing accounting, payrolls and inventories .
Mate
A Mate is a pack of cards officer who shares responsibility for navigating the vessel, overseeing load and unloading of cargo, supervising activities of the deck crew, and other duties not carried out by the Captain. On bigger ships, officers are by and large divided into hierarchical categories based on know and credentials, with increased responsibilities from third checkmate to chief mate.
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Unlicensed Deck Ratings
Deck ratings typically assist with deck operations such as alimony of areas and equipment, docking and undock, handling lines, operating machinery and lifesaving equipment and standing watch in the pilothouse, provided watchkeeping exams are completed. This placement involves conducting physically demanding sour adenine well as working with a team of people. One can become a deck military rank either by gaining seamanship experience and completing the allow courses and endorsements, or by completing a class certificate from an educational institution recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard or Transport Canada a well as obtaining basic certifications and documents .
For dispatch data on requirements for different positions in the deck department, contact the U.S. Coast Guard ’ s National Maritime Center or Transport Canada ’ s Marine Safety Services .
United States Certifications
Canadian Certifications
