All hands on deck! As a marine deck officer or crew member in offshore drilling, you may be required to help with activities such as rigging and storing cargo handling gear. For the most part, your job is focused on the navigation, safety and regulatory compliance of the marine vessel. Does nautical life call to you? Then get onboard!
Marine deck officers are certified crew members who are responsible for the safe navigation of a marine vessel and coordination of all vessel operations. This includes cargo loading and discharging, working with equipment maintenance systems, documentation control, vessel security, supervision of marine non-certified crew members, and maintenance and operation of safety equipment.
Deck officers include the following:
- Masters or Captains guide, pilot, maintain and navigate the marine vessel. They are responsible for the safety of all crew members and work closely with the chief engineer, chief officer and other supervisors on the vessel.
- Chief mates or first mates supervise the deck crew and oversee mooring, ballast control, loading and unloading, as well as night watch activities.
- Second mates or officers of the watch maintain watch of the vessel’s control systems.
- Third mates or officers of the watch maintain watch and ensure the safety of the vessel and crew.
Marine deck crew are non-certified crew members and conduct activities such as bridge helmsmen and lookout, general cleaning and maintenance duties, and maintenance and operation of safety equipment.
A Marine Deck Crew includes:
– Boatswains supervise deckhands and maintain all internal and external equipment on the vessel.
– Deckhands do a variety of maintenance jobs on the vessel.
The roles required on a vessel depend on its size, complexity and type. Some vessels may have jobs that are very specialized, others may be more generalized in nature.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Offshore
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $49,000 to $63,000
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Limited
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Safely loading and unloading cargo, equipment and supplies
- Performing general maintenance on the vessel
- Maintaining a navigational bridge watch when underway in transit
- Maintaining lifesaving, firefighting and other emergency equipment
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Ensuring knowledge of applicable international and domestic marine laws is up-to-date and that operations are in compliance
- Maintaining all navigation equipment on the bridge as the ship’s designated navigation officer
- Overseeing all activities related to the relocation of the module including maintaining ballast control operations while on location
Education
- Marine Deck Crew members typically require a high school diploma (or equivalent) and experience working at sea. All Deck Officers must be certified by Transport Canada. A high school diploma (or equivalent) and the completion of a Deck Officer Cadet program or at least two years of experience as a member of a Deck Crew is typically required before entering a certification program. This certification program consists of several levels, and progression from one level to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
Certifications
- Specialized training and certifications through Transport Canada may be required.
- Basic survival training (BST)
- H2S Alive
- Offshore Survival Introduction (OSI)
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
- Standard and emergency first aid
Additional Requirements
- A signed medical from an approved doctor certifying physical fitness
- Valid passport as offshore work may involve traveling in international waters and to other countries
- Minimal or no travel
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You are highly mechanically and technically inclined. This occupation requires physical ability and problem-solving skills.
- Mechanical
- Public safety and security
- Maintaining equipment
- Monitoring operations
- Troubleshooting
- Judgement and decision making
- Management of personnel resources
- Management of material resources
- Transportation
- Law and government
