A chief mate, also known as a chief officer, first mate, or first officer, is responsible for a wide range of duties. His job entails security, safety, and communications duties, and he usually works on a passenger liner or merchant ship. He could also help with ship maintenance, navigation, and cargo management.
The type of vessel on which he serves determines his role in security and safety administration. On a cruise ship, he might be in charge of instructing passengers on how to use safety equipment like life jackets, lifeboats, and basic distress equipment like flares and alarms. He is generally well-versed in basic first-aid and CPR procedures.
On merchant or cargo ships, his responsibilities may include ensuring the structural safety of the ship and the readiness of the navigation systems. The person in this position is frequently required to be proficient in firefighting and search and rescue operations on these types of ships. His main concern is usually the captain’s and crew’s safety.
A cargo ship’s chief mate may also be in charge of cargo handling. He supervises the loading and unloading of materials, as well as the secure storage of the load. He frequently ensures that special precautions, such as refrigeration or hazardous material handling or storage, are properly implemented.
The chief mate is usually the watch stander, whether at sea or in port. This entails him standing watch over the crew and the ship for two four-hour shifts. During these times, he is in charge of overseeing all ship operations. If infractions occur, he must correct them or, if necessary, seek assistance from outside sources.
Once the ship is at sea, the chief mate’s primary responsibilities are to successfully navigate the ship, avoid collisions with other seagoing vessels, and respond quickly to any emergencies that may arise. While the latter is not common, he is frequently expected to be prepared to handle any crisis with confidence, knowledge, and calmness.
A chief mate must be trained in the use of the ship’s instruments and tools in order to properly navigate the ship. He may have to rely on various techniques to establish the vessel’s position on a navigational chart, depending on weather conditions and other extenuating circumstances. Coastal, terrestrial, celestial, and electronic applications are among the techniques used.
The education and training required to become a chief mate differs depending on whether the desired position is in the passenger or cargo vessel sector. He should have excellent oral and written communication skills regardless of the country or type of vessel. To operate the navigational equipment successfully, good math skills are also required. Although work experience may suffice to obtain a chief mate position, nautical schools such as the Pacific Maritime Institute in the United States offer classes and education tailored to such positions. Certificates and training from such an institute may aid in finding work as a chief mate more quickly.