Junior Officer (Trainee Officer) Jobs
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- Third Officer1 vacancy
About the role
A Junior Officer (Trainee Officer) is a deck officer in training. They work under the Chief Officer and report to the officer of the watch during bridge watches. While in training they stand bridge watches under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer. They keep a training record book, plot positions, check charts and ECDIS, join mooring stations with the Bosun and AB, and follow deck and cargo work. Ratings do not report to them. You meet this rank on container ships, bulk carriers, oil and chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, Ro-Ro ships and offshore PSV and AHTS vessels.
Duties on board
- Stand bridge watches under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer.
- Keep the training record book filled in and signed for the CoC application.
- Plot the position and check the chart and ECDIS under supervision.
- Attend mooring and anchoring stations with the Bosun and AB.
- Check lifeboat equipment, fire extinguishers and PPE during safety rounds.
- Join fire, abandon ship and oil spill drills and learn muster list duties.
- Practice GMDSS radio calls under a GMDSS-certificated officer.
- Watch cargo loading and discharge on tankers and note the checks the Chief Officer makes.
- Report defects, near misses and security findings to the officer of the watch.
Requirements
| Document | Convention | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Competency (CoC) - officer in charge of a navigational watch | STCW II/1 | A candidate must be not less than 18 years of age. |
| Basic Safety Training (BST) | STCW VI/1 | Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction. |
| Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) | STCW VI/2 | A candidate needs approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months, or an approved training course and approved seagoing service of not less than six months. |
| Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) | STCW VI/3 | Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must complete advanced training in fire fighting. |
| Medical first aid | STCW VI/4 | Seafarers designated to provide medical first aid on board must meet the standard of competence in medical first aid. |
| GMDSS radio operator certificate | STCW IV/2 | Every person in charge of or performing radio duties on a ship required to participate in the GMDSS must hold an appropriate GMDSS certificate. |
| Basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations | STCW V/1-1 | Officers and ratings with specific duties related to cargo or cargo equipment on oil or chemical tankers must hold a certificate in basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations. |
| Basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations | STCW V/1-2 | Officers and ratings with specific duties related to cargo or cargo equipment on liquefied gas tankers must hold a certificate in basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations. |
Sea service
For the CoC: approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book, or approved seagoing service of not less than 36 months otherwise. Bridge watchkeeping under supervision for not less than six months.
Medical fitness
You may not work on a ship unless you are certified medically fit, and you must hold a valid medical certificate before you begin work. 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
- CoP certificates such as BST, PSCRB and AFF
- Training record book
- Visas when the voyage needs them
Career path
Comes from: Deck Cadet
Next step: Fourth Officer, Third Officer
Junior Officer (Trainee Officer): questions and answers
What is the difference between a Junior Officer and a Deck Cadet?
A Deck Cadet is in initial training. A Junior Officer works as part of the deck officer team while finishing the sea service and the training record book for the CoC. Both stand bridge watches under supervision, but the Junior Officer often handles more deck and cargo tasks.
Do I need a CoC to sail as a Junior Officer?
On a seagoing ship of 500 GT or more, every officer in charge of a navigational watch must hold a CoC. A trainee works under supervision while collecting the service and training for it. A candidate for the certificate must be not less than 18 years of age.
How much sea service do I need before I get the CoC?
You need not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book, or not less than 36 months of approved seagoing service. Within that service you must do bridge watchkeeping under the supervision of the Master or a qualified officer for not less than six months.
Do I need tanker training as a Junior Officer?
If your duties are linked to cargo or cargo equipment on oil or chemical tankers, you must hold basic tanker training. It needs BST plus at least three months of approved seagoing service on those tankers, or an approved basic tanker training course. Liquefied gas tankers have a separate basic certificate.
How long is my medical certificate valid?
You cannot work on a ship without a valid medical certificate. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18. A colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years. If it expires during a voyage, it stays in force until the next port where a new one can be obtained.
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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.