Ranks and Progression

[Andy_S]

On average how long is the time between progression from 3rd officer to 2nd, 2-1 and so on all the way up to captain if you make it that far?

I'm sure there are a lot of factors that effect the time betwen ranks but I'm just after a rough idea of how a full career all the way to captain would pan out over the years.

[Steve]

Re: Ranks and Progression

The minimum is based on sea time requirements for obtaining CoC. 18 months sea time between OOW and Chief Mate's and another 18 months between Mate's and Master's.

In some sectors/companies you might start as 2nd mate and be promoted on obtaining tickets. In others it's dead men's shoes. Totally variable.

[alistairuk]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Also, bare in mind that just because you have a masters licence doesn't necessarily mean anyone will employ you as a captain.

And re: progression some companies (most notably in the cruise industry) require you to hold the certificate for the rank above your position (so a second officer would need a chief mates licence, chief mate would need a masters licence).

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Ranks and Progression

The one thing I'm curious about is how it works on cruise ships with the likes of Fourth Officers. Do these guys keep watches? Who does what as it doesn't seem to fit neatly in the 3/O Safety, 2/O Navigation etc... system.

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Ranks and Progression

On cruise ships they tend to have more officers than you can shake a stick at! Cruise ship manning levels state you have to have 2 watchkeepers on the bridge.

On the QM the deck officer ranks went like this:

Commodore (Master of the fleet, and if on board, master of the ship)
Captain (Master when the Commodore's not on board, they're not on board at the same time)
Staff Captain (I/C pretty much everyone, but same rank as Hotel Manager and Chief Engineer)
Chief Officer (I/C Deck Officers, does the ship's stability, has the con on a watch)
1st Officer Safety (I/C a team of 4 deck PO's who do the grafting, no watchkeeping)
1st Officer Navs (Plans all the passages, has the con on a watch)
2nd Officer (I/C chart corrections, has the con on a watch)
3x 3rd Officers (Each gets an area of responsibility- weather, GMDSS, publication updates, each stands watch with one of the senior officers)

I wouldn't like to even guess how many more officers there were in the engine room, not to mention the hotel dept!!

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Ah, so is that why there's two lovely comfy looking chairs on these modern bridges?

So what do the 3rd officers do on watch then? Draw lovely little dots on the charts?

[dawg]

Re: Ranks and Progression

That looks similar to the RFA structure.

Some organisations seem to merge the CHOFF and 1/O; some seem to have a 4/O; and some not.

I've noted that on the updated http://www.oceanopportunities.com site, they've given Electro Officers the same rank structure as MEOs, when before the ETO was a sort of cul-de-sac role, a bit like R/O used to be.

(what do I know! )

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Ranks and Progression

I've noted that on the updated http://www.oceanopportunities.com site, they've given Electro Officers the same rank structure as MEOs, when before the ETO was a sort of cul-de-sac role, a bit like R/O used to be.

Well when one of them's putting in a lightbulb, the other ones watch.
(Sorry ETOs, I'm sure you're all terribly important busy people really!)

[dawg]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Aah, the romance of the sea... "wiper", "greaser", "donkeyman"...

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalent ... chant_Navy

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Ah, so is that why there's two lovely comfy looking chairs on these modern bridges?

So what do the 3rd officers do on watch then? Draw lovely little dots on the charts?

Yep!! But they don't let cadets sit in them, ooooh no!

Generally the 3rd will be driving while the senior officer goes and does their paperwork etc in the chartroom or safety center, but they're there on hand if anything comes up. 3rds do do the dots on charts, but only if they don't have a gadget to do it for them.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Damn, I can fell the sore legs already. Three years of standing!!

[Steve]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Cruise ship manning levels state you have to have 2 watchkeepers on the bridge.

Is that actually on the Safe Manning Document (i.e. MCA policy) or is it just company policy?

That looks similar to the RFA structure.

Except that with hundreds of tonnes of explosives in the hold, or hundreds of marines below deck, the OOW can be trusted on his own.

Surely it would be more useful to give the junior OOW the con and let the senior OOW keep charge of the ship if he likes, like you would do with a cadet? I find the idea of routinely having two officers on a watch difficult to get my head around.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Well I think that's the situation described - 3rd on the con and senior OOW off doing bits elsewhere but readily available.

[Steve]

Re: Ranks and Progression

Generally the 3rd will be driving while the senior officer goes and does their paperwork etc in the chartroom or safety center, but they're there on hand if anything comes up. 3rds do do the dots on charts, but only if they don't have a gadget to do it for them.

That makes a bit more sense, you can ignore my last unless you fancy a debate on "charge" vs "con".

Aah, the romance of the sea... "wiper", "greaser", "donkeyman"...

RFA use some of those terms, don't know about other outfits. Not necessarily on any documents, but in general everyday useage. CPO(E) is "donkeyman", there are pumpmen, chippies, 2nd steward (who is the 1st steward? ), etc.

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Ranks and Progression

That makes a bit more sense, you can ignore my last unless you fancy a debate on "charge" vs "con".

Pedant!!

I spent way to much of my life trying to find out who had the charge and who had the con for the log book for arrivals and departures when EVERYONE was up there being far too busy and important to speak loudly and clearly enough for the cadet who was supposed to be logging it all to hear!!

What someone could very kindly tell me is how to put the name of the person I'm quoting in to the quote box.... someone technical PM me?!