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10 Important Jobs Deck Cadets Have To

Perform On board Ships
APRIL 16, 2014 BY SHILAVADRA BHATTACHARJEE

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While still in a maritime college, a deck cadet often wonders as to what

his shipboard duties exactly are. The common answer to this intriguing

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question at college is that a cadet must assist the deck officers in the day-to-day operations
of the vessel.
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Maritime books dont really outline the duties expected from a trainee officer and rather
harps on the theoretical aspects of onboard training.
Indeed, there are excellent books on the theory and practice of seamanship but the
practical experience gained as a cadet onboard ship is better than any bookish knowledge.
It is therefore important that deck cadets have a general overview of the duties that are
performed when on board ships. Of course, these are general guidelines and the jobs may
vary from ship to ship.

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Below mentioned are ten important duties that are required to be performed by deck
cadets on almost every type of ship.
1.

Tank Soundings: Almost all deck cadets are asked to check tank soundings on a

regular basis. Generally taken after the 0400-0800 watch (before or right after breakfast),
soundings are very crucial for ensuring the stability of the vessel. The fact that the ships
stability is dependent on the total ballast being carried, makes a deck cadet realise the high
level of responsibility given to him.
Taking soundings must be learnt to the highest degree of precision so that the job becomes
easier and executed swiftly. Knowing the depth of all the tanks also saves a lot of time. At
ports, soundings are extremely crucial to the loading and/or discharging of the cargo and
should not be meddled with at all. Fabricating the readings can be detrimental to the safety
of the ship and its crew.
2.

Ship Maintenance: All cadets who have served onboard will know that an area within

the ship is designated to the deck cadet for maintenance and upkeep. Generally, one deck
(or a part of it) of the superstructure is assigned to the cadet. Maintenance of that includes
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overall cleanliness and reporting of any abnormalities within the area.

3.

LSA/FFA Maintenance: Thorough maintenance of the life saving appliances (LSA)

and fire fighting appliances (FFA) is extremely important. Generally a part of the 3rd Mates
duties and responsibilities, this work is assigned to the cadets so that they learn the
procedures of noting down expiry dates, carrying out repair work, checking for any defects,
emailing the company for ordering new products etc. In the process, a cadet ends up
learning a great deal about how each equipment functions and also a lot about the
lifeboats, liferafts, pyrotechnics, SOLAS Regulations etc. All such information ends up being
extremely useful when appearing for the 2nd Mates examination.
4.

Deck Work: Assisting the ships bosun in everyday deck work is embedded into any

cadets daily schedule. This is basically grounding work, seemingly unimportant at the start,
but builds the framework for the coming years as an officer. Work on deck including
chipping, painting, grinding etc. is carried out to maintain the structural integrity of the
deck, along with some rope work (e.g., splicing) that gives cadets the right aspect towards
good seamanship.
Also, as all cadets will tell you, the job of stenciling various parts on deck is the universal
designated duty of a cadet!

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5.

Berthing/Unberthing Operations: When a vessel goes alongside (or casts away),

its normally all hands on deck. The entire deck populace is present at their respective
stations to get the vessel to berth/cast off close to perfection. A cadet starts out at the
stations as a sort of a rating, doing mainly the physical work. As time goes by and
experience is gained, his job switches to more of a supervisory nature, wherein the cadet is
expected to relay the orders of the Master to the ratings, ensuring that the operation runs
smoothly and in order.
6.

Pilotage Operations: A cadets role during pilotage varies with the time he has spent

onboard. Initially, a cadet assists the ratings in rigging the pilot ladder and lowering the
gangway for the pilot to board, along with other related processes during pilotage. The
process also involves learning, first hand, the precise construction of the pilot ladder as per
Regulations (important when appearing for the 2nd Mates examination). Gradually, once the
Master deems the Cadet to be relatively well versed with the vessels operations, he is
called on the Bridge to assist the duty officer with the different pilotage paperwork, e.g.
printing out and filling the pilot card, plotting the position, filling the radio log (under
supervision), observing the steering etc.
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7.

Port work and Cargo Operations: Being a trainee officer slated to sail as a 3rd

Mate upon completion of the training period, a cadet is expected to be vigilant while in port.
Work in port includes assisting the 3rd Mate with paperwork (Bond store, crew declaration
etc.), i.e. keeping them stamped, signed and ready with a fair number of photocopies.
Watches also have to be kept in port; this includes monitoring the cargo being
loaded/unloaded (involves noting down precise timings of the start and end of
loading/unloading, every time it happens). Normally, the cadet is made responsible to keep
a tab on the tank soundings with continuous feedback to the duty officer on the portable
VHF handheld/ walkie-talkie.
8.

ISPS Watch: A very integral part of the port watch, an ISPS watch is pivotal to the

security of the ship. With the norms pertaining to ship security getting stringent by the day,
the ISPS watch has become one that has to be taken rather seriously.

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A cadet is normally assigned to monitor the entry and exit points of the vessel. Usually
stationed at the gangway, it is expected from a cadet to keep a log of all the persons
entering and leaving the vessel; this includes all shore personnel as well as the ships crew
(going on shore leave). IDs must be checked and logged in the ships Visitors Log. If such
a system exists onboard (differs from company to company), a ships numbered ID must be
provided to keep a track of the person even more precisely. Bags and suspicious objects
must be checked thoroughly. A cadet, being an officer in the making, is also expected to
usher in various officials (PSC Surveyors, Coast Guard, Medical/Health Inspectors etc.) to the
ships office. Informing the duty officer of the particulars of the person being brought in is
crucial and comes naturally after having spent enough time onboard.
9.

Paperwork At Sea: All seafarers will agree that paperwork has increased many

times over and so has the stress and irritation that comes with it! A cadet is expected to be
a helping hand to the Chief Mate when it comes to the different checklists, familiarisation
lists, key logs etc.
Updating of the Muster lists and the cabin key log are generally handed over to the cadet
when there are new on signers. Making photocopies of various lists are almost always the
sole job of a cadet! (And sometimes the number is extremely large). Not to forget the thing
that has become ubiquitous on almost all vessels- The Watch & Rest Hours- to be distributed
to all on time; another universally allotted job of the deck cadet.
Although not directly part of mainstream paperwork, the numerous discontinued charts that
are used for stencilling are also to be cut out, close to perfection by the deck cadet!

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10. Navigation: Perhaps the most important aspect of being a cadet, navigation is the
very purpose that the ship is in business and officers/ratings are employed!
Not having a valid Certificate of Competency (COC), a cadet is naturally not allowed to keep
a bridge watch independently. However, under the guidance and supervision of a certified
officer (almost always it is the Chief Mate), a cadet is expected to learn the science and art
of navigation. Theoretical knowledge of the COLREGS, Celestial Navigation, Bridge
Equipments, Seamanship, Chartwork etc. all culminate into this one grand attempt at safe
navigation of the vessel.
Normally, the Chief Mate takes time out during the bridge watches (0400-0800 and 16002000) to teach a cadet about the ongoings in the bridge and also tests his knowledge of the
myriad aspects of the merchant navy. Gradually, the Chief Mate and eventually the Master
develops a trust factor (provided the cadet is worth the salt), which enables them to
delegate work to the cadet.
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As daunting as it may seem, cadetship actually is the most fun part of ones shipping career.
With no responsibility at hand and not being answerable under legal bindings, cadetship is
the time to learn and imbibe. Everyone that has gone through will look back at their time
fondly (except the extreme cases!) and with pride. Donning the uniform as a young 20
something is a matter of respect. Provided a cadet is diligent in his duties, he can be
assured that hell be respected by all onboard and the time he spends as a cadet will be full
of lifelong memories.
Want to learn duties of deck officers at each level? Checkout our ebook A Guide to Become
Successful Deck Officer
This 100 pages ebook describes the journey of a deck officer through
various professional stages of his life, explaining important duties at each
stage, providing practical tips and enumerating the requirements which
would help him in running the ship and its operations smoothly through
international waters.
Click here to know more

Cummins
Cederberg
cumminscederberg.com

Coastal & Marine Engineering Florida, Caribbean & Latin

America
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COMMENTS

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Deck Officer Jobs

Maritime Ships

Kenu mathew says

April 16, 2014 at 6:41 pm
good knowledge

oyetunji taiwo says

April 20, 2014 at 5:52 pm
I love to know more about this page

peter plathan says

April 24, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Good advice for cadets , even ordinary seaman.

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s.m.Fasmil says
April 26, 2014 at 10:13 pm
I am able body seaman. I had been coxswain certificate. My ambition is coxswain. ?.

peter says
May 7, 2014 at 7:13 am
This is a good site for upcoming seamen but one thing i notice is,books and guides
are mostly for deck officers.Id like to know if there is a guide to being a successful
chief engineer as well and important jobs for engine cadets on-board. thank You!

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