How to Become a Chief Mate

Have you ever considered a life at sea on a merchant transport ? possibly you are conversant with the merchant marines and are concern in the unlike career paths. Or possibly you are attending a nautical academy and are interest in learning more about the officer roles onboard ? In this article, we will examine the functions of a chief mate and the training and experience needed to fill the role .

 What is a Chief Mate?

The Chief Mate, Chief Officer, or First Mate/Officer is the department head for the Deck Department. They supervise the members of the deck department including Second and Third Mates, able-seafarers, and ordinary seaman or deckhands. On most vessels, the Chief Mate is second in command after the Captain. Some vessels, normally cruise ships or big passenger vessels, have First Mate/Officers. This character is typically junior to the Chief Mate/Officer .

 Chief Mate Duties and Responsibilities

head Mates have many duties and responsibilities. specific duties and responsibilities vary by vessel but typically include deck department management, navigation watch-standing, cargo operations, guard and firefighting operations, environmental protection, angstrom well vitamin a acting as a vessel security officeholder and aesculapian officer.

• Deck department management duties include purchase order, oversee personnel and purchasing budgets, managing personnel work/rest hours and watch schedules, managing hindrance care schedules, and identifying maintenance projects .
• Navigation watch-standing responsibilities include ocean trip plan implementation, position plat, collision avoidance, traffic management, and emergency answer .
• Cargo operation responsibilities include the safe cargo, discharging and stowage of cargo, ballast operations, stability, and management of hazardous cargos, cargo handling equipment sustenance, inspection, and certificates .
• aesculapian officers are creditworthy for medical shell response and management, checkup supplies, and inventory, a well as training the gang on first care .
• environmental protection responsibilities include the implementation, alimony, coach, and drill of the Garbage Management Plan, Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, Vessel General Permit, and other regulations .
• Vessel Security Officers are creditworthy for the implementation, sustenance, trail, and bore of the Vessel Security Plan, The International Ship and Port Facility Security ( ISPS ) Code, and Maritime Transportation Security Act .
• condom and firefighting operational responsibilities include the supervision of the alimony of equipment, reaction proficiency, and prepare of the crew .

How Much Does a Chief Mate Earn?

In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ May 2019 report states an median annual wage for “ Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels ” is over $ 70,000, with the circus tent 10 % of earners reporting annual wages over $ 150,000. however, there are many factors that influence a Chief Mate ’ randomness wages. These factors include the sector of the industry or type of vessel, amount of have, flag submit, and the negotiated abridge .

Are You Ready to Pursue a Career as a Chief Mate?

While the function of Chief Mate comes with many duties and responsibilities, it besides comes with many rewards. For many officers, it is their first base opportunity to exercise their leadership skills. Leading people requires effective communication, understanding how to motivate others, and a compelling vision for the future of the group. The character of Chief Mate besides requires management skills. foreman Mates must balance the functional needs of the vessel against the constraints of budgets, work/rest hours, and labor regulations. While it takes time and department of energy, many Chief Mates find the coach, mentor, and trail, which is separate of the job, identical satisfying. Questions ? Contact a School Advisor to Learn More

Guide: How to Become a Chief Mate

1. Meet Chief Mate Experience Requirements
   • In accord with 46 CFR 11.405, to obtain a National Chief Mate of outright tonnage upon oceans near coastal waters, you must have 360 days of sea military service while holding an endorsement as moment Mate. To maintain an outright tonnage license, all of the services must be on a vessel of 100 gross registered tons or more AND at least half of the service must be on vessels of 1600 crying registered tons or more .
   • In accord with the Standards of Training, Certifications, and Watchkeeping ( STCW ) and 46 CFR 11.307, to obtain a headman Mate 3,000GT or more management Level endorsement, you must have 360 days of ocean military service as an Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch ( OICNW ) .
2. Pursue Education and Training

When scheduling your head Mate/Master classes, ensure the courses are United States Coast Guard approved. You may find that the class approval besides includes some of the needed assessments. Check with your course provider for details .
3. Complete Assessments
In accordance with the Standards of Training, Certifications, and Watchkeeping ( STCW ) and 46 CFR 11.307, to obtain a head Mate 3,000GT endorsement, you must complete the 94 assessments outlined in NVIC 10-14. These assessments can be completed in an approve course and/or onboard a vessel. Assessments completed onboard must be signed by an tax assessor with “ at least 1-year experience as Master on vessels of at least 1,600 GRT or 3,000 GT. ” For the function “ cargo handle and stowage, ” the tax assessor should have “ at least 1 year of have as or equivalent to Chief Mate and/or Master on cargo-carrying vessels of at least 1,600 GRT or 3,000 GT ” in accordance with NVIC 19-14. After December 31st, 2021, assessments must be signed by a Qualified Assessor, in accord with “ USCG Notice on Qualified Assessors 13 December 2019 ” .
4. Apply for Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) & Passing the Exams
once your courses and assessments are completed ( as necessity ), you will need to apply for your license and/or STCW endorsement. MITAGS recommends that you utilize the checklists provided on the National Maritime Center ’ randomness ( NMC ) web site, to ensure that you have met all the requirements. You can apply for your license and/or STCW endorsement by completing form “ CG-719B ” and submitting your supporting paperwork ( course certificates, assessment records, etc. ) to the Regional Exam Center ( REC ) either in person or electronically. The be is guidance for electronic submittal :
submission OF MMC
Both MMC applications can be submitted to a REC via e-mail using the following process :

1. Select a REC and complete all necessary application forms using the Coast Guard ’ s Application Acceptance Checklist as a guide for compulsory documents .
2. Include a copy of your TWIC, TWIC application receipt, or TWIC exemption statement in your electronic mail attachment ( mho ) .
3. The favored method to pay drug user fees ( if applicable ) is by using www.pay.gov. Include a replicate of your pay.gov user fee receipt in your electronic mail attachment ( mho ) .
4. Completed applications must be scanned at a resolution not exceeding 300 dpi, saved in PDF format, and can not exceed 8 MB in size. If electronic mail size ( including attachments ) exceeds 8 MB, send documents in multiple e-mails .
5. Visit the REC web page and select a REC to determine that location ’ second e-mail address. 6. The subject line of your electronic mail must be : last name, First appoint, Middle name, mariner character number. For exercise : Mariner, Johnny, L, 123456. note : New applicants will not have a reference number.

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6. guarantee all attachments are included, then send. Please use the minimum issue of e-mail to send your application and attachments .

The National Maritime Center will update you on the condition of your lotion. typically, you will be notified when you application has been forwarded from the REC to the NMC and when it is being vetted by and approved by guard & suitability, professional qualifications and medical screen and evaluation. once your application ’ mho evaluation is complete, you will receive an “ approval to test letter. ”
In accord with 46 CFR 11.201 and 46 CFR 11.903, applicants for a National Chief Mate ’ sulfur license must pass a 9-module examination as outlined in the Deck and Engine Exam Guide. Exams are to be taken at any Regional Exam Center and must be scheduled in boost. This examination includes :

Rules on retakes, testing procedures and materials provided and allowed in the examination board are outlined in the Deck and Engine Exam Guide .

Chief Mate Courses and Training From MITAGS

MITAGS ’ STCW-2010 training program is designed for the feel officer in consign of a navigational watch ( Second & Third Officers ) who is ready to upgrade to Chief Mate / Master management level. This complete platform offers all the compulsory and optional aim and judgment requirements to upgrade to the management level Chief Officer/Mate .
Contact a School Advisor to Learn More
The MITAGS Mate to Master ( CMM ) program is thirteen weeks ( 65 days ) of USCG National Maritime Center ( NMC ) approved discipline and simulations that provide you with the cognition, skills and assurance to assume the duties and responsibilities of a head Mate and Master. The courses are constantly updated and taught by highly have Captain/Instructors. Where applicable, advanced simulation is incorporated into the courses. MITAGS has prepared more deck officers to move up to the management level than any school in the United States .
Please notice that as of 24 March 2014, with the implementation of USCG NVIC 10-14 ( Ch-1 ) and NVIC 11-14 ( Ch-1 ) the only courses that are MANDATORY, but do NOT complete all other judgment tasks as required by the NMC are :
10 – Day Advanced Ship handling
05 – Day Advanced Stability
05 – Day Advanced Meteorology
05 –Day Leadership & Managerial Skills
10 – Day Medical Person in Charge ( Management of Medical Care )
05 -Day Electronic Chart Display Information System ( ECDIS )
The pursue optional MITAGS CMM Courses are included within the MITAGS CMM Program and will complete the remaining eighty-one ( 81 ) tasks that are needed to upgrade OR you may complete these job onboard ship by a Management Level Deck Officer until 31 December 2019 ; after ( 01 January 2020 ) these tasks must be signed by a Management Level Deck Officer who is besides a Qualified Assessor .
10 – Day Advanced Cargo Operations/Cargo Handling & Stowage ( Management Level )
05 – Day Advanced Watchkeeping
05 – Day Ship/Shipboard Management
( management of Medical Care is included in this class adenine good )
05 – Day Marine Propulsion Plants
05 – Day Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation
25 – Day License Advancement Program ( License Preparation )
Please note that the west coast campus offerings are nobelium long limited to ECDIS and Advanced Ship handling. MITAGS ’ west coast campus now offers the entire Mate to Master Program.

Although not share of the platform, many students besides enroll in optional courses such as Flashing Light, and Radar Renewal .

Advance Your Maritime Career with Our Support

Contact a MITAGS adviser to learn more about continuing your nautical education. Our student Service Advisors are glad to answer you questions on requirements, courses, scheduling, and price .