What certifications do I need to become a ship officer?

To become a ship officer, you need: 1) Basic Safety Training (BST/STCW), 2) Maritime education diploma or degree (Nautical Science for Deck, Marine Engineering for Engine), 3) Required sea service time, 4) Certificate of Competency (CoC) from your flag state (e.g., ANT III for Deck Officer, ATT III for Engineer Officer), 5) Additional certificates like GMDSS, Radar/ARPA, ECDIS for deck officers.

How long does it take to become a ship captain?

Typically 8-12 years: 3-4 years maritime academy education, 12-18 months as cadet, 12-18 months as Third Officer, 12-18 months as Second Officer, 12-24 months as Chief Officer, then eligible for Master certificate. Actual timeline varies by flag state, vessel type, and individual progression.

What is the salary range for ship officers?

International trading vessels: Third Officer $2,800-4,500/month, Chief Officer $5,500-10,000/month, Master $7,000-15,000+/month. Engine officers earn similar ranges. Offshore sector (with DP) typically pays 20-40% more. Salaries vary by vessel type, company, experience, and endorsements.

What is STCW certification?

STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is an international convention that sets minimum qualification standards for ship officers and crew. It ensures seafarers worldwide meet consistent safety and competency standards. All commercial seafarers must hold STCW certificates.

What is the difference between Deck and Engine officers?

Deck Officers (Nautical) handle navigation, cargo operations, safety, and ship handling. Career path: Cadet → Third Officer → Second Officer → Chief Officer → Master. Engine Officers (Technical) manage machinery, propulsion, electrical systems, and maintenance. Career path: Cadet → Fourth Engineer → Third Engineer → Second Engineer → Chief Engineer.

Can I work on ships with an Indonesian maritime certificate?

Yes! Indonesian Certificates of Competency (ANT/ATT) issued by DGLST are recognized internationally under STCW. You can work on Indonesian-flagged vessels worldwide and on foreign-flagged vessels if the flag state recognizes Indonesian certificates (most do through STCW white list status).

Maritime Career Guide: Ship Officer & Engineer Career Paths | Hifshan Riesvicky

Maritime Career Roadmap

Interactive skill roadmap for Deck and Engine officers. Track your learning progress by clicking on skill nodes. Expand topics to see detailed skills you need to master.

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1. Foundation & Regulations

SOLAS 1974

Ch II: Construction & Fire

Subdivision, Stability, Fire Protection (II-2)

Ch III: LSA Code

Lifeboats, Davits, Lifejackets, Immersion Suits

Ch IV: Radiocomms

GMDSS Areas A1-A4, Equipment requirements

Ch V: Nav. Safety

Passage Planning, VDR, AIS, Manning

Ch IX: ISM Code

Safety Management System (SMS), DOC, SMC

Ch XI-2: ISPS Code

Ship Security Plan, SSO/CSO Duties

MARPOL 73/78

Annex I: Oil

ODME, OWS (15ppm), ORB Part I & II

Annex II: NLS

Chemical Tankers, P&A Manual, SMPEP

Annex IV: Sewage

ISPP Cert, Discharge Rules (>12nm)

Annex V: Garbage

Garbage Management Plan, Record Book

Annex VI: Air

Sox/NOx, ECA Zones, EEXI, CII, SEEMP

International Conventions

STCW & MLC

Code Part A (Mandatory)

Code Part B (Guidance)

MLC 2006

Seafarers' Rights, Work/Rest Hours

Stability Theory

GZ Curves & KN Curves

Free Surface Effect

Inclining Experiment

Grain Stability

Construction & Stability

Ship Structures

Longitudinal/Transverse

Collision Bulkheads

Shear Force / Bending Moment

2. Navigation & Watchkeeping

Advanced Chartwork

Plane, Mercator, GC Sailing

Tidal Calcs (ATT)

Fixing Position (LOPs)

Practical Navigation

Celestial Nav

Intercept Method (Marcq St. Hillaire)

Star Identification

Meridian Passage

Azymuth / Amplitude

ECDIS Ops

S-52 / S-57 / S-63

Digital Passage Planning

Safety Cone & Contours

Radar / ARPA

Relative vs True Motion

Collision Avoidance (Trial)

Blind Sectors & Errors

Electronic Systems

Nav Aids

AIS (Class A/B)

Echo Sounder (UKC)

VDR / S-VDR

COLREGS 1972

Rule 19 (Restricted Vis)

Rule 10 (TSS)

Lights & Shapes Identification

Safety of Navigation

Meteorology

Pressure Systems

Tropical Revolving Storms

Weather Routing

3. Cargo & Ship Handling

Dry Cargo

IMSBC Code (Group A,B,C)

IMDG Code (Classes 1-9)

Cargo Securing Manual

Cargo Operations

Liquid Cargo

ISGOTT / Tanker Safety

IGS & Venting

Crude Oil Washing

Maneuvering

Pivot Point Theory

Interaction & Squat

Turning Circles

Ship Handling

Anchoring

Running/Standing moor

Dredging Anchor

Master Mariner

Deck Department Career Path

Engine Department Career Path

Other Crew Positions

Maritime Certification Pathway

Maritime certification is governed internationally by the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers). National maritime administrations issue Certificates of Competency (CoC) upon successful completion of approved training, seagoing service, and examinations. This guide outlines common certificates and general pathways. Specific requirements can vary.

Estimated Salary Ranges

International Trading Vessels (USD/Month)

The following salary ranges are general estimates and are highly variable. Factors include company, experience, vessel type/size, route, contract duration, and specific endorsements (e.g., DP, gas/chem). These figures are typically for net salaries (after standard deductions by employer, but before individual income tax in home country, which varies).

Vessel Type / Description	Rank	Est. Salary (USD/Month)	Notes
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Master	$7,000 - $15,000+	Varies by vessel size/type
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Chief Officer	$5,500 - $10,000	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	2nd Officer	$3,500 - $5,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	3rd Officer	$2,800 - $4,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Chief Engineer	$7,000 - $14,500+	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	2nd Engineer	$5,500 - $9,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	3rd Engineer	$3,500 - $5,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	4th Engineer	$2,800 - $4,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	ETO	$4,000 - $7,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Bosun	$2,000 - $3,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Able Seaman (AB)	$1,500 - $2,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Ordinary Seaman (OS)	$1,000 - $1,800	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Oiler / Motorman	$1,500 - $2,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Wiper	$1,000 - $1,800	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Cook	$1,800 - $3,500	---
Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Container	Deck/Engine Cadet	$400 - $1,000	Allowance
Tanker (Oil, Chemical, Gas)	Master	$9,000 - $20,000+	Gas/Chem higher, specific endorsements
Tanker (Oil, Chemical, Gas)	Chief Officer	$7,500 - $16,000	Gas/Chem higher
Tanker (Oil, Chemical, Gas)	Chief Engineer	$9,000 - $19,500+	Gas/Chem higher
Tanker (Oil, Chemical, Gas)	2nd Engineer	$7,500 - $15,500	---
Tanker (Oil, Chemical, Gas)	Pumpman	$2,500 - $4,500	---

Offshore Sector (USD/Month)

The following salary ranges are general estimates and are highly variable. Factors include company, experience, vessel type/size, route, contract duration, and specific endorsements (e.g., DP, gas/chem). These figures are typically for net salaries (after standard deductions by employer, but before individual income tax in home country, which varies).

Vessel Type / Description	Rank	Est. Salary (USD/Month)	Notes
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	Master (DP)	$9,000 - $22,000+	DP cert highly valued
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	Chief Officer (DP)	$7,000 - $15,000	DP cert valued
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	2nd Officer (DP)	$4,500 - $8,000	DP cert valued
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	Chief Engineer (DP)	$9,000 - $20,000+	DP cert valued
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	2nd Engineer (DP)	$6,500 - $13,000	---
OSV, PSV, AHTS (DP)	ETO (DP)	$5,500 - $11,000+	---
OSV, PSV, AHTS	Bosun / Crane Op.	$3,000 - $7,000	---
OSV, PSV, AHTS	AB / Rigger	$2,500 - $5,000	---

Indonesian Domestic Market

Note on Indonesian Domestic & Local Salaries

Salaries for seafarers on Indonesian-flagged vessels operating domestically, or for local contracts within Indonesia, can differ significantly from the international market rates. These local salaries are influenced by Indonesian labor laws, regional economic factors (UMR/UMP), company-specific pay scales, and the type of employment contract (e.g., Perjanjian Kerja Laut - PKL, or permanent employee status with benefits like BPJS Ketenagakerjaan & Kesehatan).

It is common for domestic salaries to be lower than those on internationally trading vessels, especially for ratings and junior officers. However, some specialized roles or positions with state-owned enterprises or reputable national companies might offer competitive packages.

Always verify salary expectations directly with the hiring company or manning agency for specific Indonesian opportunities. The figures presented here are very general estimates and may not reflect actual current local conditions.

The following salary ranges are general estimates and are highly variable. Factors include company, experience, vessel type/size, route, contract duration, and specific endorsements (e.g., DP, gas/chem). These figures are typically for net salaries (after standard deductions by employer, but before individual income tax in home country, which varies).

Vessel Type / Description	Rank	Est. Salary (USD/Month)	Notes
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	Master	$1,000 - $4,000	Highly variable, based on local scales (IDR equiv.)
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	Chief Officer	$700 - $2,500	IDR equiv.
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	Chief Engineer	$1,000 - $3,500	IDR equiv.
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	2nd Engineer	$700 - $2,200	IDR equiv.
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	AB / Oiler	$300 - $800	IDR equiv. based on UMR/company
Tug Boat, LCT, Small Cargo (Domestic)	Cadet	$150 - $500	Allowance, IDR equiv.

Maritime Career Guide

Important Disclaimer

Maritime Career Roadmap

Deck Department Career Path

Deck Cadet / Trainee Navigational Officer - Cadet, Trainee Officer

Rating as Ordinary Seaman (OS) - Ordinary Seaman

Rating as Able Seafarer Deck (STCW II/5) - Able Seaman (AB)

Bosun / Boatswain - Bosun, Chief Petty Officer (Deck)

Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) - Restricted (e.g., STCW II/3, CoC Class 5/4) - Third Officer (on smaller vessels), Junior Officer, Mate (on very small vessels)

Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) - Unrestricted (e.g., STCW II/1, CoC Class 3/2nd Mate) - Third Officer, Second Officer, Junior Officer

Chief Mate / First Officer (e.g., STCW II/2, CoC Class 2/Chief Mate) - Chief Officer, First Mate, Chief Mate

Master / Captain (e.g., STCW II/2, CoC Class 1/Master Mariner) - Master, Captain

Engine Department Career Path

Engine Cadet / Trainee Marine Engineer - Cadet, Trainee Engineer

Rating as Wiper - Wiper

Rating as Oiler / Motorman (STCW III/5 an advantage) - Oiler, Motorman

Engineer Officer in Charge of a Watch (EOOW) - Restricted (e.g., STCW III/1 for <750kW, CoC Class 5/4 Eng) - Fourth Engineer (on smaller vessels), Junior Engineer

Engineer Officer in Charge of a Watch (EOOW) - Unrestricted (e.g., STCW III/1, CoC Class 3/3rd Eng) - Fourth Engineer, Third Engineer, Junior Engineer

Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer (e.g., STCW III/2, CoC Class 2/2nd Eng) - Second Engineer, First Assistant Engineer

Chief Engineer (e.g., STCW III/2, CoC Class 1/Chief Eng) - Chief Engineer

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) (STCW III/6) - ETO, Electrician

Other Crew Positions

Ship's Cook (STCW Reg. III/2, MLC Reg. 3.2) - Chief Cook, Cook

Maritime Certification Pathway

Foundational & Safety Certificates

Deck Officer Certification Pathway (Nautical)

Engine Officer Certification Pathway (Technical)

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Certification

Estimated Salary Ranges

International Trading Vessels (USD/Month)

Offshore Sector (USD/Month)

Indonesian Domestic Market

Note on Indonesian Domestic & Local Salaries