On merchant ships, a first mate, also known as a chief mate, first officer, or chief officer, is a type of officer. The first mate supervises the ship’s deck department, manages the cargo, and is responsible for the ship’s and crew’s safety. The first mate is typically on duty for eight hours per day. If the ship does not have a staff captain, the first mate serves as the captain’s second in command.
The first mate is directly responsible for the ship’s operations and safety while standing watch. He or she supervises navigation to ensure that the ship stays on course and avoids hazards such as other ships. His or her presence also ensures that if an unexpected crisis arises, an experienced mariner will already be on the bridge.
The first mate is in charge of the ship’s safety and provides assistance in emergency situations such as fires, medical emergencies, and loss of stability. He or she assesses damage following a collision or other mishap, directs the ship’s fire and damage control teams, and supervises aid procedures if a person falls overboard or another ship is in distress. He or she must be trained in the use of lifeboats, thermal protection, and other emergency equipment, as well as survival at sea in the event that the ship must be abandoned.
The first mate is in charge of the ship’s cargo loading and unloading, as well as its care while at sea. This could have serious consequences for the ship’s safety, as improperly arranged cargo can cause the ship to become unbalanced and capsize, especially in rough seas. He or she is also in charge of the safe transportation and storage of hazardous cargoes, such as toxic or flammable materials.
A first mate is a licensed mariner with at least one country’s chief mate’s license, the requirements for which vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, a mariner must either attend an approved maritime training institution or work for at least three years on an ocean-going vessel’s deck department, including at least six months as a quartermaster, seaman, or boatswain, and complete a set of required courses. He or she becomes a licensed third mate after passing the licensing exam. To become eligible for a second mate’s license, he or she must serve at least one year as a third mate, then serve at least one year as a licensed second mate and pass a series of qualifying tests. In some states, he or she must also hold a master’s license in order to take command if the captain becomes ill.