Ship Deck Officer Overview
Required Education and Training To Become a Ship Deck Officer
Best Schools to become a Ship Deck Officer in U.S. 2024
SUNY Maritime College
In-State Tuition:$7,070
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,980
Admission Rate:80%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:1,427
United States Merchant Marine Academy
In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:27%
Graduation Rate:77%
Total Enrollment:943
California State University Maritime Academy
In-State Tuition:$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition:$17,622
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:63%
Total Enrollment:849
Texas A & M University-College Station
In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014
Maine Maritime Academy
In-State Tuition:$11,474
Out-of-State Tuition:$26,955
Admission Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:66%
Total Enrollment:897
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
In-State Tuition:$1,994
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,882
Admission Rate:89%
Graduation Rate:79%
Total Enrollment:1,425
Ship Deck Officer Job Description:
- Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot.
- Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear.
- Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment.
- Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels.
- Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.
Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Ship Deck Officer
Job Duties for Ship Deck Officers
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Technologies and Skills Used by Ship Deck Officers
Data base user interface and query software
- KNMI TurboWin
- Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Basic Skills
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it