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Deck Cadet Jobs

1 open vacancy · updated 25 Oct 2026

About the role

A Deck Cadet is a deck rating who is training to become a deck officer. Cadets work on the bridge and on deck. During a bridge watch they keep a lookout and assist the officer of the watch. On deck they work with the Bosun and the deck crew on mooring, painting, wire and hatch maintenance. A cadet reports to the officer of the watch at sea, and to the Bosun or Chief Officer for deck work. Cadets keep a training record book signed by their supervisors. They sail on container ships, bulk carriers, oil and chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, Ro-Ro ships and offshore vessels.

Duties on board

  • Stand bridge watches with the officer of the watch and keep a proper lookout.
  • Write weather, course and position entries in the deck log as directed.
  • Work mooring and unmooring stations on the forecastle or poop deck.
  • Assist the Bosun with chipping, painting, greasing and wire maintenance.
  • Check lashings and cargo securing on deck and in holds under supervision.
  • Take soundings of ballast tanks and bilges when instructed.
  • Practise ECDIS, ARPA and chart corrections with the navigation officer.
  • Keep the training record book up to date with signed watchkeeping tasks.
  • Take part in fire and abandon-ship drills with the deck crew.
  • Clean and maintain deck equipment, hatch covers and deck lockers.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Basic Safety Training (BST), CoP in basic trainingSTCW VI/1Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code.
Security-related familiarization and security-awareness training, CoPSTCW VI/6Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction under section A-VI/6 of the STCW Code.

Sea service

STCW II/1 sets the service for the officer certificate a cadet works towards: approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months in an approved training programme documented in a training record book, with bridge watchkeeping duties under supervision for not less than six months.

Medical fitness

You may not work on a ship without a valid medical certificate (MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2). The certificate states that sight and hearing, and colour vision where relevant, are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book (CDC)
  • Valid medical certificate
  • BST CoP and security-awareness training CoP
  • Training record book
  • Visas when the voyage needs them

Career path

Comes from: Ordinary Seaman (OS)
Next step: Third Officer

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Deck Cadet: questions and answers

How is a Deck Cadet different from an Ordinary Seaman?

Both work on deck. A Deck Cadet follows an approved training programme with a training record book and works towards an officer certificate. An OS works as a rating forming part of a navigational watch, and STCW II/4 sets the requirements for that, except for ratings under training.

What sea service do I need for a Certificate of Competency?

Under STCW II/1 you need approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book, or otherwise approved seagoing service of not less than 36 months. During that service you must perform bridge watchkeeping duties under supervision for not less than six months. You must also be not less than 18 years of age.

Which certificates should I have before I join?

You need safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1, and security-related familiarization and security-awareness training under STCW VI/6. A valid medical certificate is required under MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2. Where the training is not part of another certificate you hold, a CoP is issued for it.

Who does a Deck Cadet report to on board?

During bridge watches you report to the officer of the watch, who is the Master's representative on the bridge. For deck maintenance, mooring and painting you report to the Bosun, and through the Bosun to the Chief Officer. The Master is in charge of the ship.

Can a Deck Cadet be put on night watches?

Under MLC 2006 Reg. 1.1, night work of seafarers under the age of 18 is prohibited, with limited exceptions for training. Seafarers under 18 may not do work likely to jeopardize their health or safety. The convention sets no separate night watch rule for cadets above that age.
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Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.