Junior bridge officers building sea time toward chief officer and captain.
Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash
2nd and 3rd officers stand bridge watches, assist with navigation, safety equipment and vessel administration, and support the chief officer. It's the entry point into the officer ladder — usually reached via a cadetship, or by a deckhand converting across after earning an Officer of the Watch (OOW) ticket.
What the job actually involves
Standing bridge watches underway and in port
Assisting with passage planning, navigation and electronic charting systems
Maintaining safety equipment, certificates and vessel documentation
Supervising deckhands on specific tasks and safety drills
Supporting the chief officer with administration and guest logistics
Getting hired
An MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificate of competence, via a cadetship or a deckhand-to-officer conversion route
STCW Basic Safety Training and a valid ENG1
The sea time required by the certifying authority before an OOW ticket can be issued
A methodical, detail-oriented approach — this role carries real legal and safety responsibility
Typical pay
2nd and 3rd officers typically earn €4,000–€6,500 a month, rising with sea time and yacht size.
