Salary$1,111 / mo
Boarding5 Nov 2026
Duration2 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Cook Jobs
4 open vacancies · updated 15 Oct 2026
5 Nov 2026 · 2 mos · Any citizenship
Salary$1,111 / mo
Boarding5 Nov 2026
Duration2 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
QA Chief Cook on Bulk carrier
$2,300 – $2,600 / moQA Ocean Crewing Two Ltd · Bulk Carrier · 65,000 DWT
65,000 DWT · MAN B&W 25,000 kW
Salary$2,300 – $2,600 / mo
Boarding5 Nov 2026
Duration6 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Salary$1,111 / mo
Boarding5 Nov 2026
Duration2 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
About the role
The Cook works in the catering department and prepares meals for the crew and, on some ships, for passengers. On ships with a Chief Cook, the Cook works under the Chief Cook and follows the menu and provision plan; on smaller ships the Cook reports to the Master or the Chief Officer. A Messman may assist in the galley and mess rooms, and the Cook can direct that work. The Cook keeps the galley, mess rooms, chill room, freezer and dry stores clean, follows food hygiene rules and checks stock levels. Cooks work on bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, passenger ships and offshore vessels, on a day-work routine or a watch pattern set by the ship.
Duties on board
- Prepare meals for the crew and any passengers, following the menu plan.
- Keep the galley, mess rooms and food stores clean and in order.
- Check food stock levels and pass provision lists to the Chief Cook.
- Store provisions correctly in dry stores, the chill room and the freezer.
- Follow food hygiene and personal hygiene rules when handling and cooking food.
- Report to the Chief Cook on food quality, quantities and missing stores.
- Check galley equipment and report faults for repair.
- Direct the Messman on serving meals and cleaning the mess rooms.
- Take part in galley fire drills and carry out muster list duties in an emergency.
Requirements
| Document | Convention | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ship's cook training (practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage) | MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 | Ships' cooks must be trained and qualified for their position, and the training includes an approved or recognized course covering practical cookery, hygiene, food storage and catering health and safety. |
| Basic Safety Training (BST) | STCW VI/1 | All seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction. |
| Security-related familiarization and security-awareness training | STCW VI/6 | All seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction. |
| Medical first aid, if designated | STCW VI/4 | Seafarers designated to provide medical first aid on board must meet the standard of competence in medical first aid. |
| Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), if designated | STCW VI/2 | A candidate must be at least 18 years of age and needs approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months, or an approved course and not less than six months of service. |
| Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF), if designated to control fire-fighting operations | STCW VI/3 | Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must complete advanced training in fire fighting. |
Sea service
The convention sets no minimum sea service for the rank of Cook. MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 requires ships' cooks to be trained and qualified for their position and found competent under the laws of the flag State.
Medical fitness
You must hold a valid medical certificate before you begin work on a ship. It states that hearing and sight, and colour vision where relevant to the work, 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
- Cook training certificate or CoP
- BST certificate
- Visas when the voyage needs them
What employers on Krew Guru ask for
Vessel typesTug Boat 80%, Bulk Carrier 20%
Contract length (median)2 months
Open to any nationality100%
Salary, USD per month1,100–1,100p25–p75 by 5 vacancies on Krew Guru with a salary, last 180 days
Based on 5 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.
Career path
Comes from: Messman
Next step: Chief Cook
Companies hiring Cook now
- QA Maritime Shipping One Ltd3 vacancies
- QA Ocean Crewing Two Ltd1 vacancy
Related ranks
- Chief Cook1 vacancy
- Messmanno open vacancies
Cook: questions and answers
Can I work as a ship's cook if I am under 18?
No. MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 says no seafarer under the age of 18 may be employed or work as a ship's cook. MLC 2006 Reg. 1.1 also prohibits night work by seafarers under 18, with limited exceptions for training, and protects young seafarers from work that may harm their health or safety.
Do I need a cooking course to work as a Cook?
MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 requires ships' cooks to be trained and qualified for their position, and the shipowner must make sure the cook is competent under the laws of the flag State. The training includes an approved or recognized course covering practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering health and safety.
What basic training does a Cook need?
All seafarers need safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1, which is BST. You also need security-related familiarization and security-awareness training under STCW VI/6. If you are designated to give medical first aid or to control fire-fighting operations, you need the training for that duty under STCW VI/4 and STCW VI/3.
Who does a Cook report to on board?
On ships that carry a Chief Cook, the Cook works under the Chief Cook and follows the menu and provision plan. On smaller ships the Cook reports to the Master or the Chief Officer. A Messman may assist in the galley and mess rooms, and the Cook can direct that work during meals and cleaning.
Does the Cook have emergency duties?
Yes. Every seafarer has a place on the muster list and takes part in drills. Under STCW VI/2, a seafarer designated to handle survival craft and rescue boats needs the PSCRB certificate, which requires approved seagoing service or an approved course. Ask about your duties when you sign on.
3,700+ Cook profiles on Krew Guru · 5 vacancies in the last 90 days
Sources
- ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)
- IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (1 July 2010), Resolution 1: The Manila Amendments to the annex to the STCW Convention
Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.