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The field of merchant navy involves a certain order of hierarchy with the seafarers holding different ranks
on ships. This ranking system ensures smooth coordination of on board operations and promotes proper
management strategies. Being a line of work that requires a very high degree of professionalism wherein
lax performance can result in drastic consequences, the hierarchy is essential to an economically viable
model for shipboard operations with a shore based support framework.
The nomenclature of merchant navy ranking system is universally accepted by shipping companies and
commercial vessels around the world. The ranks and responsibilities that come with it are somewhat
similar across the whole industry with minor changes in names and duties assigned to specific positions
varying among shipping companies and the system of nomenclature they follow. As mentioned above,
essentially it is almost all the same.
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merchant navy
In general, the ranking system on merchant vessels in mainly divided into following categories:
1. Deck Department
2. Engine Department
3. Catering Department
The bridge of a vessel is a hub that is fitted with critical equipment for the safe navigation and
watchkeeping of the merchant ship. Owing to the advanced and specific nature of the bridge equipment,
a requisite skill set is imperative for an individual to control all the equipment and thereby safely navigate
the ship. Seafarers under the deck department of the ship are vested with the responsibility of managing
ship navigation, along with handling cargo operations and berthing instruments present on the deck of the
ship.
Related Reading:
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 1/22
5/23/2020 A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks
10 Important Jobs Deck Cadets Have To Perform On board Ships
Similarly, seafarers working in the ship’s engine room fall under the engine department. This mainly
include marine engineers and ratings responsible for operation and maintenance of ship’s machinery. The
engine room houses the part of the ship that fuels/propels the vessel altogether and needless to say, a
specific set of skills is essential to the engine room personnel as well.
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Related Reading:
The third department, or the catering department, is responsible for preparation of meals and general
housekeeping for crew and passengers. The number of people employed in this department (which is
under the purview of the Master, as with everything else) varies among ships and obviously, a passenger
ship will have far more catering staff than a cargo ship owing to the number of people that need to be
serviced.
A vessel thus requires a definite system of merchant navy ranks that would enable the distribution of
assignments in a professional and formal manner.
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Chief Officer / First Mate: Chief officer occupies the second responsible position after the Captain of the
vessel. He is the executive head of the deck department and executes the order of the Master at the
operational level (although the rank itself is a more managerial position). He supervises the vessel’s crew
and looks after the various deck operations which include, but not limited to the daily ongoings of the
deck as per the work schedule as well as the cargo operations to be carried out while in port.
Related Reading:
Stepstone
The Chief Mate prioritises the security and safe functioning of the vessel and is responsible for the
welfare of crew and passengers (if on a passenger ship) on board. Additionally, the correct working of the
hull, the accommodation section, the cargo gearing, the security appliances and the fire prevention
equipment is managed by the Chief Officer. Chief among all of his duties is the safe navigation of the ship
for which he is an OOW for the navigational watches between 0400-0800 hrs and 1600-2000 hrs. Already
burdened with a lot of work in port, the Chief Mate usually does not keep port watches as he is constantly
overseeing the cargo work.
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Second Officer/ Mate: The 2nd Mate is an OOW responsible for the charts & publications on board and
their maintenance. Also, he is the medical officer onboard responsible for the upkeep and administering
of all medically related services onboard. Being an OOW, the navigational watch timings for him are
1200-1600 hrs and 0000-0400 hrs while at sea. In port, his watches are from 1200-1800 hrs and 0000-
0600 hrs
Third Officer/ Mate: The 3rd Mate is in charge of all the LSA and FFA onboard and is assigned the duty
to upkeep and maintain them onboard. Apart from that, he has to handle all the port documents for use
by the Master along with handling the bond store onboard. Being an OOW, the navigational watch timings
for him are 0800-1200 hrs and 2000-0000 hrs while at sea. In port, his watches are from 0600-1200 hrs
and 1800-0000 hrs
Deck Cadet: The deck cadet is the trainee officer onboard, fresh out of the Institute. His sole job is to
learn, comprehend and apply skills for the process of becoming a skilled officer in the future. Being a
fresh candidate, a cadet is assigned tasks that give him a gradual understanding of the ship and her
ongoings which come to use when preparing for the “Certificate of Competency” examinations to assume
responsibility as an OOW in the future. Aside from the deck work that he needs to grasp, the major chunk
of a cadets learning pertains to assisting an OOW in carrying out a safe navigational watch
Bosun: Bosun is the head of the ratings division on deck and carries out the scheduled work on deck in
liaison with the Chief Mate
Able seaman: According to the modern nautical terminology, an able seaman (AB) possesses a
merchant mariner’s document and is eligible to assist the deck department. Know more about the rank of
Able Seaman here.
Ordinary seaman: The post of an ordinary seaman, denoted by OS, serves the vessel’s deck
department. An OS is usually busy with tasks such as buffing, scaling, cleaning the deck and occasionally
painting the superstructure, above the main deck. An ordinary seaman can undertake activities like
overhauling, splicing ropes, wiring, rigging, etc and conduct repair work on the deck. It is the Ordinary
seaman’s job to ensure secure handling of cargo gears and loading or dismantling cargo as directed by
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the Bosun/Chief Mate. A trainee OS is like a cadet but for the ratings section. Know more about Ordinary
Seaman here.
Chief Engineer: ChiefEngineerr is the head of the engineering department on a vessel. The required
qualification for this position is loosely referred to as the “Chief’s Ticket”. Alternatively, he can also be
alternatively termed as the “The Chief” and usually draws similar pay as compared to the Captain,
although the complete responsibility of a particular vessel falls solely on the Captain’s shoulder. Chief
engineer gives orders for operation and maintenance of ship’s machinery system and is responsible for
the engine room department.
Second Engineer/ First Assistant Engineer: He is associated with the day-to-day activities in the
engine room, and he is accountable to the Chief Engineer. Duties include constantly supervising the
proper functioning of all engine room machinery systems and also assigns jobs to the other engine
officers and crew. The Second Engineer generally keeps watch on the engine room, during the day time
Third engineer/ Second Assistant Engineer: This is the next position after the Second Engineer, and is
assigned jobs to look after machinery ordered by the chief engineer, along with daily watch keeping. He
reports to the second engineer
Fourth Engineer/ Third Assistant Engineer: This is the most junior rank in the engineering department.
The Fourth Engineer is concerned about the correct working of the machinery systems assigned to him
and also carry our watch keeping. He reports to the second engineer.
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Fifth Engineer/ Engineering Cadet: Fifth engineer is a trainee under the Second Engineer officer, and
he assists and learns while observing and carrying out activities in the engine room. He would
accompany a senior officer (mostly second engineer) during the watch duty.
All the engine room ratings report to the second engineer. The engineering cadet spends his time
onboard with the chief objective of learning the requisite skills to becoming a competent engineering
officer in the future (by clearing the requisite “Certificate Of Competency examinations to obtain the
license to be a certified engineer)
Chief Cook: Chief cook falls under the catering department of the ship. It is his duty to prepare meals
regularly for the crew and passengers. He is also in charge of the food stores. The Chief Cook assists the
Third Mate/Cadet in preparing the requisition for any/every food items to be forwarded to the company
HQ to be procured onboard. The Chief Cook also inspects the equipment needed to keep the ship clean
and uncontaminated in the galley area.
Steward: The steward, as the name suggests, is assigned tasks include cooking and serving meals on
time, sweeping and maintaining the living quarters of the officers, and stocktaking the stores. It is also the
job of a steward to manage the grocery accounts, planning menus, and documents the cost control
issues.
It is to note that a galley on passenger ships would involve several other ranks as well. Read here about
galley jobs.
It is important to remember that while the shipboard hierarchy is almost the same across the industry,
variations might exist depending on the nomenclature system followed in a specific company as well as
the type of ship in question. Having said that, the above gives a robust idea to the reader as to the
existing norms with regard to the hierarchy in every department of merchant ships.
Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine
Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not
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been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be
accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not
constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.
The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the
permission of the author and Marine Insight.
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Comments
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 8/22
5/23/2020 A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks
sid says
NOVEMBER 5, 2013 AT 12:52 PM
thanks
Shezin says
JUNE 11, 2014 AT 1:47 AM
Sir,
I have comleted my Btech. in mechanical engineering and I decided to do 1 year PG course in
Marine engg.
So can you please suggest any good college and I also request you to provide me with salary
package for different ranks.
Thank you:)
Anish says
JUNE 11, 2014 AT 10:13 PM
Dear Shezin,
You can opt for those college who provide Sponsorship such as AESM, Univan Maritime etc.
Just ensure you get a sponsored sear before getting the admission to get initial training
onboard. For salary, please check the following link-http://goo.gl/N5mqpi
Shezin says
JUNE 14, 2014 AT 5:39 PM
Sir,
Thanking you for helping me out with the above information.I would also like to know whether:
1.there are management seats in AEMA and fee details
2.the salaries you mentioned are provided round the year or not
3.will the shipping industry be able to overcome the current situation you mentioned in the
coming two years.
4.the exams needed to be cleared for promotion is hard or not and how long will it take to climb
up to as chief engineer.
Thanking you once again and waiting for your reply:)
ankit says
AUGUST 12, 2014 AT 11:07 AM
i have passed class 12 can you guide me on what courses i can/should opt for in merchant
navy?
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Reywanth says
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 AT 10:15 AM
Sir,
I want to choose merchant navy as my carrier. I’m studying in 12 th and im confused. Whether
to take engineering or navigating stream. Wt
I have heard is that engineers have to work at high temperature.
do u have demand for marine engineers??
Anish says
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 AT 2:46 PM
hello sir
i am a follower of your great blogs
thank you for guiding us
my question is that-
now i am doing diploma in mechanical engneering from a AICTE approved collage and after
that i am planing to do DME presea training (2years)
so, is it good for me?
and what is the procedure
as the IMU is not conducting any exam for DME
how do i go for it?
thank you
I am going to start General purpose rating course from renowned institution in mumbai i am
very interested in engine department can you please guide me that how can i make to the top
with it ?, can i become an officer ?
narendra says
JANUARY 9, 2015 AT 5:16 PM
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 10/22
5/23/2020 A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks
sir
I’m about to complete my b.tech in mechanical engineering and now I want to join merchant
navy so please suggest me some colleges to complete 1 year course. and how can I get the
sponsorship for any good institute.
please guide me sir
sukhen says
FEBRUARY 9, 2015 AT 4:18 PM
i have worked on cargo ship for 23 months and 21 days as ch.cook on a foreign cdc.I have
3yrs diploma in hotel mangt.Since 2009 i am working as a chef in a 4star hotel in Dehradun. I
WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR INDIAN CDC FOR COOK .PL.HELP.
sir
I’m a student of b.tech in mechanical engineering of 8th semester and now I want to join
merchant navy so please suggest me some colleges and courses. and how can I get the
sponsorship for any good institute.
please guide me sir
Anish says
FEBRUARY 14, 2015 AT 12:04 PM
Dear Kamran,
You can opt for institutes which are run by ship management companies. Some institutes are-
Anglo eastern, Univan maritime academy etc.
I have been an ardent follower of Marine Insight two years and running. Keep up the excellent
work you have been doing. And thanks for supplying us with immeasurable priceless
information.
Jethwa.lalji.Parstom says
OCTOBER 14, 2015 AT 9:33 PM
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 11/22
5/23/2020 A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks
hi.ser.my.name.Jethwa. lalji.Parstom.
ma.g.s.hu.or.mare.pas.indcdc.ha.or.mare.pas.3yers.job.kaya.ha.gs.ma..my.no.9930627977
Sir,
I have comleted my B.tech. in mechanical engineering with 73%. and I decided to do 1 year
PG course in Marine engg.
So can you please suggest any good college and I also request you to provide me with salary
package for different ranks.
Thank you:)
Hello sir
This is vinod kumar ,i have completed my masters in mechatronics , i’m interested to work in
merchant navy,as per my qualification ,ETO course is the only option to choose ,can i know the
future of this course how it i’ll be and career growth in these field ,and after completing this
course can i get placement.
Anish says
NOVEMBER 26, 2015 AT 11:04 AM
@Rajni kant:
Similar questions has already been answered in our forums. Please check
http://forums.marineinsight.com. You can post any further query in our forums for multiple and
speedy reply.
Anish says
NOVEMBER 26, 2015 AT 11:37 AM
Your query has already been answered in our forums. If you have any further questions,
please post the same here- http://forums.marineinsight.com
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 12/22
5/23/2020 A Guide to Merchant Navy Officer Ranks
This Site Good For SeaFarers…..
gulshan says
MARCH 22, 2016 AT 11:03 PM
Ravraj says
MARCH 29, 2016 AT 1:06 AM
I am currently sailing as a chief engineer. Want to go for combined certificate of master and
chief engineer. If any possibility to become master mariner. What is the procedure to get Any
one of the white listed governments coc of master mariner
Dear Sir
my name is mohammed hamdulla. Sir I was completed my 2 year marine engine fitter course
and gp ratting also…can you please guide me
shyam says
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 AT 10:02 PM
hi my self shyam. i am going for marchent navy job on b tech how engine crew position & how
is seaman position on 10th class
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shyam says
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 AT 10:06 PM
i & my friend going for marchent navy job through sea knights destiny marine service institute
how is this inistitute. they provide one month cadet course on engine crew job how it is?
sailesh says
JANUARY 11, 2017 AT 2:37 PM
Dear sir,
I am now a 1 st year student in B.Sc 3 year cource .
Then what are suggestions for me to join in merchant navy??
alwin says
FEBRUARY 27, 2017 AT 11:09 PM
hiii i completedsaloon rating and i have indian cdc but i want to chage my rank and join
deckside plzz let me know whats the procedure to change the rank
Sir marchent navey cap rankd officer qualification detail tell him
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 14/22
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Helli sir,
Please mention the “promotion” and “salary* of an ETO.
(Electrical trainee officer.)
Can i be one day promoted to chief engineer one day just having 4 yrs of graduate degree in
electrical engineering?
Anish says
AUGUST 8, 2017 AT 1:04 PM
Salary will be in the range of 3500 – 6500 USD depending upon the experience, company, and
type of ship you are working.
You cannot be promoted to Chief engineer. You will be joining as Assistant ETO or trainee ETO
and promoted to ETO.
Amit says
SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 AT 8:05 PM
Sir my question is i am having crohns disease but its totally controlled so am i eligible for the
job
Anish says
SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 AT 12:18 PM
@Amit: If it’s severe or recurrent, you will be considered as incompetent. You need to provide
documents showing it is fully controlled with an extremely low likelihood of recurrence.
sir,
i am studing in 12th std and i want to join merchant navy.
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 15/22
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please provide the information regrading eligibility and information about the exam IMU CET
.and its date of online application for the exam.
Dear sir,
What does a fourth mate do, and how much is his salary?
manoharan says
MARCH 20, 2018 AT 6:40 PM
Sir I am complited ETO.but I have one doubt if I completed ETO then go to another officer is
possible or not
Anish says
APRIL 10, 2018 AT 12:04 AM
I believe you want to know more either about 3rd mate and 4th engineer. Both are similar
operational level ranks in a different department. 3rd mate is for deck department and 4rth
engineer for the engine room. Salary will depend on the nationality, ship type, and the
company.
Anish says
APRIL 11, 2018 AT 2:24 PM
@Manoharan: You will be joining as Trainee ETO and after gaining experience and getting the
COC, you will be promoted as ETO. You cannot switch to any other department with this
qualification.
sir i Sagar parashar i studying in class 11 with pcm and my aim to become a marine engineer ..
so i rqst u to make a video on btech.marine enginer with details plz sir this is humble rqst to u.
and sir when i will complete my 12th i want to contact u so if it happn plz give me ur whatsapp
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no…
thanku sir .
Anish says
DECEMBER 11, 2018 AT 8:27 AM
@Amir: You need to have 36 months of sea service to apply for COC
Sameer says
JANUARY 19, 2019 AT 7:11 PM
Anish says
JANUARY 20, 2019 AT 9:11 PM
@Sameer: For promotion, you need to work as an engine cadet for at least 6 months and then
clear Class IV exams to be eligible to get promoted onboard. For salary, please check this
article: https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/how-much-does-an-indian-seafarer-officer-
earns/
G.Mahesh says
JANUARY 30, 2019 AT 11:16 PM
hello sir.
i have open indian cdc. basis of stcw course. if i join as a general steward then how can i get
promotion for next rank & how many montha are require.
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Anish says
JANUARY 31, 2019 AT 7:41 AM
@G.Mahesh: G.S works in a galley department and you don’t have any other position above it.
Hello sir my name ls jaydep.I have completed my Ccmc presea training in Jan 2018 and now i
am sailing in reliance. I want to change my rank from TR GS to TR O.S is it possible please
help me
Hello sir. I am studying btech 4th year in mechanical engineering. Sir i eant to join in MN in
engine side . Can u plzz tell me wahy is process
Anish says
APRIL 22, 2019 AT 7:37 PM
Pinky says
MAY 6, 2019 AT 11:19 PM
Hii sir my name is pinky sir one of my friend is deck cadet he said he is a flying officer in Indian
navy. Sir deck cadet can be a pilot is it possible. Bt I hv seen his document in which his rank is
given deck cadet. Sir please clear my doubt .
Anish says
MAY 8, 2019 AT 1:29 PM
@Pinky: This blog is specifically for Merchant navy and not defense navy.
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-guide-to-merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ 18/22
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Suprapto says
JUNE 20, 2019 AT 4:08 AM
Anish says
JUNE 25, 2019 AT 9:11 PM
@Suprato: We are glad that you found the info useful ????????
Pls…..am a Cadet, but I haven’t graduated from my Academy ( Merchant Navy Maritime
Academy. Nigeria ) but I need vital information on how to go about my IT and to confirm if we
would be paid as a Cadet and also to know the price range…… Am an engineering student.
Nikhil TG says
JULY 26, 2019 AT 9:53 AM
Dear sir,
I have completed my 10th class with First Class.
I want to join Catering Department as a Steward.
So, what is the process to join merchant navy, what should have to do 1st ?
Is there any exam for that for direct joining?
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