Second mate
Officer on a merchant ship / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A second mate (2nd mate) or second officer (2/O) is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship holding a Second Mates Certificate of Competence,[1] by an authorised governing state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The second mate is the third in command (or on some ocean liners fourth) and a watchkeeping officer, customarily the ship's navigator. Other duties vary, but the second mate is often the medical officer[2] and in charge of maintaining distress signaling equipment. On oil tankers, the second mate usually assists the chief mate with the cargo operations.
General | |
---|---|
Other names | Second officer Able mate |
Department | Deck department |
Location | On board ship |
Licensed | Yes |
Duties | Navigator, GMDSS Officer, Medical Officer |
Requirements | Second mate's Certificate of Competency (COC) by an authorised governing state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
Watchstanding | |
Watch (at sea) | Mate on watch (00:00–04:00, 12:00–16:00) |
Watch (in port) | Mate on watch (00:00–06:00, 12:00–18:00) |
The navigator's role focuses on creating the ship's passage plans. A passage plan is a comprehensive, step by step description of how the voyage is to proceed from berth to berth or one port to another. The plan includes undocking, departure, the en route portion of a voyage, approach, and mooring at the destination.
The GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) officer role consists of performing tests and maintenance, and ensuring the proper log-keeping on the ship's Global Maritime Distress Safety System equipment. Safety equipment includes emergency position-indicating radio beacons, a NAVTEX unit, INMARSAT consoles, various radios, search and rescue transponders, and digital selective calling systems.