Chief Officer (Chief Mate)
The Chief Officer — also called the Chief Mate or First Mate — is the second in command of a ship, directly below the Master, and the head of the deck department. The Chief Officer is the ship's senior cargo and deck operations officer, and would take command if the Master were incapacitated.
Core responsibilities include planning and supervising cargo operations (loading, stowage, securing and discharge), maintaining the ship's stability and trim, and overseeing deck maintenance and the deck crew. The Chief Officer is typically also responsible for the ship's safety equipment, ballast operations, and often the safety management and drills, and keeps a navigational watch at sea. On tankers the role carries major responsibility for the cargo and its safe handling. The Chief Officer is a key management position aboard, bridging the Master and the deck ratings, and a step below command in the deck-officer career path. The role is central to safe and efficient cargo work and ship operation.
The Chief Officer runs the cargo — planning stowage, keeping the ship stable, and supervising the deck crew — which makes the role central to whether cargo is worked safely and the ship stays upright and in trim. As second in command and the next step to Master, the Chief Officer is a pivotal figure in daily ship operations.
What is the Chief Officer mainly responsible for?
Cargo operations, the ship's stability and trim, deck maintenance and the deck crew, plus safety equipment and a navigational watch.
Who is the Chief Officer senior to?
All deck officers and ratings below the Master; the Chief Officer is second in command and heads the deck department.