Description
Licensed deck officer who stands watch and manages navigation, safety, and deck operations aboard ships and other vessels. Plans and directs vessel movements under the master's authority, supervises deck crew and cargo handling, ensures regulatory compliance, and assists with docking and emergency response. U.S. Coast Guard license required.
- • Direct vessel course and speed under the master's authority, using knowledge of local winds, tides, currents, depths, and hazards.
- • Consult charts, ECDIS, radar, AIS, GPS, and weather data to determine and direct ship movements.
- • Steer and operate the vessel, using radios, depth sounders, radar, lights, buoys, and lighthouses.
- • Operate ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore radios to coordinate navigation and port operations.
- • Assist with docking and undocking; supervise mooring, anchoring, and line-handling.
- • Maneuver in narrow channels and locks under pilot or master direction.
- • Prevent unsafe operations and enforce bridge resource management and safety procedures.
- • Stand navigational watches during assigned periods while underway.
- • Inspect decks, safety gear, and navigation equipment for safe and efficient operation and regulatory compliance.
- • Monitor gauges and alarms for hydraulics, air systems, ballast, and firefighting systems.
- • Maintain required logs of positions, movements, weather, cargo status, and crew activities.
- • Maintain and correct charts, publications, and voyage plans per notices to mariners.
- • Measure water depths with echo sounders or lead lines as required.
- • Signal other vessels using whistle, lights, flags, or radio in accordance with COLREGS.
- • Coordinate tug assistance and pilot transfers during arrivals and departures.
- • Oversee loading, unloading, stowage, and securing of cargo per specifications and stability requirements.
- • Direct deck crew in watchkeeping, line-handling, cargo operations, and maintenance.
- • Arrange or request fueling, stores, and deck repairs through the master or company.
- • Supervise cleaning and maintenance of decks, superstructures, lifesaving, and firefighting equipment.
- • Maintain and test lifesaving, firefighting, and pollution prevention equipment.
- • Conduct and document safety drills, including fire, abandon ship, and man-overboard.
- • Assist in search and rescue or emergency response operations.
- • Ensure compliance with navigation, environmental, and port state control regulations; report deficiencies.
- • Learn and operate new bridge, navigation, and safety systems via training and simulators.
- • Assign watches and work schedules to deck ratings in coordination with the chief mate.
- • Advise the master on local harbor rules, pilotage requirements, and customs procedures.
- • Plan and execute coastal and ocean passages using route planning and position fixing.
- • Monitor for oil spills or pollution and implement shipboard response plans.
- • Coordinate ballast operations to maintain trim and stability within limits.
- • Requisition deck supplies and spare parts within delegated authority.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
