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Deck Officers

The following are some of the skills learned by trainee deck officers, in accordance with international requirements:

Managing a navigational watch 
(in effect taking charge of safety of the ship); planning a passage (using charts); using radar and high tech aids; radio communications (using maritime satellite systems); manoeuvring the ship; cargo handling; crew management; pollution prevention; firefighting; lifeboat use; and medical care.

Marine engineering; maintenance, repair and reassembly of shipboard engines and equipment; electrical engineering; electronic engineering; control engineering; crew management; pollution prevention; firefighting;

lifeboat use; and medical care.

Ships' officers must be qualified in the competence standards required by the UN International Maritime Organization's STCW Convention (the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers). Seafarers are only permitted to work on internationally trading ships if  issued with STCW certificates in either the deck or engine departments. These qualifications are recognised internationally.

In order to be issued with an STCW certificate, officers must normally complete a year or more of on board training at sea, in addition to their shore-based education and training in college. Depending on the national system, most newly qualified officers have typically had between 3 and 4 years training - including on board training which may occur at the end of a shore-based course or be taken at intervals in between shore-based courses.