Table of Contents
Introduction
A career at sea starts with the foundation of learning, discipline, and curiosity and that foundation begins with the Deck Cadet. A Deck Cadet is the trainee who learns how a merchant ship operates, assists senior officers, and gradually builds the experience needed to become a licensed deck officer.
If you’ve ever wondered what life is like for a deck cadet on board a merchant ship, this detailed guide explains it all, from their day-to-day duties to their long-term career growth.
Who is a Deck Cadet on a Ship?
A Deck Cadet is an entry-level trainee in the deck department of a merchant vessel. Their primary role is to learn the practical and theoretical aspects of navigation, cargo handling, maintenance, and safety.
They are often called Trainee Officers because they’re still under training to become professional navigating officers. A cadet’s life revolves around observation, learning, and applying what they’ve studied at a maritime academy in real-world situations.
During their training period, they work under the supervision of senior deck officers such as the Second Officer and Chief Officer. The cadetship is an essential step toward obtaining the necessary Certificate of Competency (CoC) to advance in ranks from Deck Cadet to Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer, and eventually, Captain.
Deck Cadet vs. Engine Cadet: Understanding the Difference
Before diving into the duties of a deck cadet, it’s important to distinguish between the two main training roles onboard merchant ships:
Deck Cadet
- Works in the deck department.
- Focuses on navigation, cargo operations, ship safety, and communication.
- Aims to become a navigating officer or Master (Captain).
- Spends most of their time on the bridge, deck, and cargo areas.
Engine Cadet
- Works in the engine department.
- Focuses on machinery maintenance, repairs, fuel systems, and engine operations.
- Trains to become an engineer officer such as Third or Fourth Engineer.
- Spends most of their time in the engine room.
In short: a deck cadet keeps the ship safely moving and properly navigated, while an engine cadet keeps it running.
Main Duties of Deck Cadet on Merchant Ships
The duties of a deck cadet are diverse. They combine learning, assisting, and practical work across navigation, safety, and maintenance. Each duty teaches responsibility, precision, and teamwork, the traits every good officer must have.
Let’s go step by step.
1. Navigation Duties
A deck cadet’s primary training revolves around navigation, the science of safely guiding the ship from one port to another.
Chart Work and Course Plotting
Cadets learn how to handle nautical charts, plotting routes, measuring distances, and updating corrections. They study tides, ocean currents, and how to calculate estimated times of arrival. This hands-on chart work builds the foundation of seamanship.
Position Fixing
While at sea, the cadet assists in determining the ship’s position using tools like GPS, radar, ECDIS, and sextants. They also record the ship’s latitude and longitude in the navigational log under officer supervision.
Bridge Watchkeeping
During assigned watch hours (typically 4–8 am, 12–4 pm, or 8–12 pm), deck cadets assist the officer of the watch. Their role is to observe, report, and record, maintaining lookout, noting nearby vessels, and checking course deviations.
Goal: Build confidence in navigation systems and understand real-time ship control.
2. Cargo Operations
Cargo handling is the lifeline of merchant ships. Cadets learn how to load, discharge, and secure cargo safely.
Loading and Unloading
Depending on the vessel type (container, tanker, bulk carrier, or general cargo), the cadet helps with cargo planning, monitoring stability, and observing how senior officers manage cranes or pumps during operations.
Cargo Documentation
Cadets help prepare and maintain essential paperwork, cargo manifests, stowage plans, loading schedules, and discharge lists. Accuracy is crucial, as cargo errors can affect safety and port clearances.
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Goal: Understand how cargo weight, type, and placement affect the ship’s balance and voyage safety.
3. Safety and Emergency Procedures
Safety is at the heart of maritime life. Every deck cadet must know how to respond in emergencies.
Safety Drills
Cadets take part in mandatory safety drills like fire drills, abandon-ship exercises, and man-overboard drills. These simulations help them master life-saving techniques.
Emergency Response
They’re trained to use Fire Fighting Appliances (FFA) and Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) such as extinguishers, lifeboats, and breathing apparatus. Familiarity with these tools can be lifesaving in real situations.
Goal: Become confident and quick to act during onboard emergencies.
4. Watchkeeping and Lookout Duties
Every ship needs vigilant eyes, that’s often the cadet’s responsibility.
- Lookout Duty: Cadets keep a continuous watch for other vessels, buoys, floating debris, or potential hazards, especially at night or in bad weather.
- Monitoring Instruments: They regularly check the radar, compass, and autopilot systems, recording readings in the logbook.
- Reporting: Any unusual sight or alarm is reported immediately to the officer on watch.
Goal: Develop alertness, discipline, and situational awareness on the bridge.
5. Deck Maintenance and Housekeeping
Ships require constant maintenance to stay seaworthy. Deck cadets participate in the ship’s upkeep and learn how to handle tools and maintenance chemicals safely.
Deck Maintenance
Tasks include chipping rust, painting, cleaning, greasing, and maintaining deck fittings like winches and mooring lines. It’s physical work but helps cadets understand the practical side of vessel care.
Mooring and Anchoring
During arrival or departure, cadets assist senior officers and crew in mooring (tying the ship to the dock) or anchoring operations. They handle ropes, chains, and windlasses under supervision.
Goal: Learn teamwork and precision, vital during docking operations.
6. Communication Skills
Clear communication prevents confusion at sea. Cadets learn professional maritime English and practice radio communication.
- Bridge Communication: Using the VHF radio, they observe how officers communicate with port control, pilots, and nearby ships.
- Internal Communication: They learn bridge-to-engine and bridge-to-deck communication procedures.
Goal: Build confidence in concise and accurate communication, a must for officers.
7. Understanding Maritime Regulations
Deck cadets must study international maritime laws and conventions governing ship operations.
- SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) — safety requirements for ships.
- MARPOL — environmental protection and pollution prevention rules.
- COLREGS — collision regulations for navigation at sea.
- ISM Code — management system for safe operation of ships.
Cadets learn how these laws apply in day-to-day operations and inspections.
Goal: Build awareness of global maritime compliance.
8. Documentation and Logkeeping
A well-kept logbook is a legal record and a navigation history. Cadets assist in:
- Recording navigational data such as position, weather, and engine performance.
- Filling in deck logbooks, radar plotting sheets, and safety checklists.
- Updating the ship’s notice boards and voyage records.
Goal: Develop habits of accuracy and accountability that are essential traits of an officer.
9. Assisting Senior Officers
Learning directly from experienced officers is one of the most valuable aspects of cadet life.
- Bridge Assistance: Helping in passage planning, radar monitoring, and chart correction.
- Cargo Operations: Observing Chief Officer’s cargo loading decisions.
- Inspections: Assisting during safety rounds, lifeboat checks, and equipment inspections.
Goal: Gain exposure to real leadership practices and operational decisions.
10. Learning and Continuous Training
Training doesn’t stop at sea. Deck cadets continue to learn through:
- Onboard Training Record Book: A mandatory document where they record all completed tasks and skills learned.
- Workshops and E-learning: Depending on the company, cadets may attend extra training sessions online or during port calls.
- STCW Courses: Short courses for firefighting, first aid, and survival craft proficiency.
Goal: Strengthen theoretical understanding through hands-on experience and structured certification.
Life of a Deck Cadet: A Blend of Discipline and Discovery
A day in the life of a deck cadet starts early. Mornings often involve maintenance tasks or assisting on watch, afternoons with training assignments, and evenings with study or rest. The workload can be tough,long hours, strict routines, and minimal rest,but it shapes resilience.
Cadets also experience moments of wonder: sunsets over the open sea, navigating through fog, or arriving at a new port every few days. These experiences make the profession unique.
Career Progression After Deck Cadetship
After completing required sea time (usually 12–18 months) and clearing competency exams, a deck cadet can qualify for a Certificate of Competency from the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) or equivalent maritime authority.
This certification marks their promotion to Third Officer, and the journey continues upward, to Second Officer, Chief Officer, and finally, Master (Captain).
Conclusion
The duties of a deck cadet may seem endless,from navigation and safety drills to maintenance and paperwork,but each task builds the foundation for a maritime career. The cadetship teaches discipline, teamwork, patience, and technical precision, qualities that shape every good seafarer.
Being a deck cadet on a ship isn’t just a job; it’s the first chapter of a life spent mastering the oceans.
