Maritime Career Guide
Ship Crew Career Paths, Certification Info & Estimated Salary Ranges
Important Disclaimer
The information presented on this page is for general guidance only. Certification requirements, career progression, and salary estimates can vary significantly based on the ship's flag state regulations, shipping company policies, vessel type and size, individual experience, contract type, and global maritime market conditions. Always refer to official sources (e.g., national maritime administrations like Indonesia's Directorate General of Sea Transportation), the latest STCW Convention and Code, and specific shipping companies for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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 Knowledge
Maritime Basics
Types of Ships
Bulk Carrier, Tanker, Container, Ro-Ro, Passenger, Offshore, LNG/LPG
Ship Nomenclature
Bow, Stern, Port, Starboard, Draft, Freeboard, Keel, Bulkhead
Ship Construction
Hull structure, Double bottom, Frames, Plating, Welding
Ship Dimensions & Tonnage
LOA, LBP, Beam, Depth, GT, NT, DWT, Displacement
Classification Societies
DNV, Lloyd's, ABS, BV, NK, Class surveys
Basic Safety Training (BST)
Personal Survival Techniques
Lifejackets, Immersion suits, Survival craft, Hypothermia
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Fire triangle, Extinguishers, SCBA, Fire drills
Elementary First Aid
CPR, Bleeding control, Fractures, Burns, Shock
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
Shipboard hazards, PPE, Pollution prevention, Human relations
Basic Seamanship
Knots, Bends & Hitches
Bowline, Clove hitch, Sheet bend, Splicing
Rigging & Deck Equipment
Blocks, Tackles, Shackles, Hooks, SWL
Painting & Preservation
Surface preparation, Paint types, Corrosion prevention
2. Navigation
Terrestrial Navigation
Chart Work & Plotting
Chart symbols, Plotting positions, Course lines, Distances
Chart Corrections
NTM, T&P notices, NAVAREA warnings, Chart updating
Magnetic Compass
Variation, Deviation, Compass error, Swinging ship
Gyro Compass
Gyro principles, Errors, Repeaters, Comparison
Tides & Currents
Tide tables, Tidal streams, Current calculations, ATT
Pilotage & Coastal Navigation
Buoyage systems (IALA A/B), Leading lines, Transits
Position Fixing Methods
Cross bearings, Running fix, Radar fix, GPS fix
Passage Planning
Appraisal, Planning, Execution, Monitoring (APEM)
Electronic Navigation
Radar Fundamentals
Radar principles, Controls, Display modes, Limitations
Radar Plotting
True/Relative motion, CPA, TCPA, Aspect, Manual plotting
ARPA Operations
Target acquisition, Tracking, Trial maneuver, Alarms
ECDIS
ENC, Display settings, Route planning, Alarms, Backup
GPS / GNSS
GPS principles, DGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Accuracy
AIS
Class A/B, Message types, Display, Limitations
Echo Sounder
Principles, Settings, Under-keel clearance, Errors
Speed Log
Doppler, EM log, Speed through water vs over ground
VDR / S-VDR
Data recording, Playback, Annual testing
Celestial Navigation
Celestial Sphere
Coordinates, Hour angle, Declination, GHA, LHA
Sextant Use & Errors
Index error, Side error, Perpendicularity, Altitude corrections
Sight Reduction
Intercept method, Calculated altitude, Azimuth
Sun Observations
Meridian passage, Morning/Afternoon sights, Amplitude
Star Observations
Star identification, Twilight observations, Star finder
Nautical Almanac
GHA, Declination, Corrections, Increments
Sight Planning
Best stars, Timing, Position line running
3. Bridge Watchkeeping
COLREGS (Rules of the Road)
Steering & Sailing Rules
Head-on, Crossing, Overtaking, Give-way/Stand-on
Lights & Shapes
Power-driven, Sailing, Fishing, Towing, NUC, RAM, CBD
Sound & Light Signals
Maneuvering signals, Warning signals, Fog signals
Conduct in Restricted Visibility
Safe speed, Radar plotting, Sound signals, Actions
Narrow Channels & TSS
Traffic separation, Crossing traffic, Inshore zones
Bridge Resource Management
Bridge Team Work
Roles, Responsibilities, Handover procedures
Effective Communication
Closed-loop, Standard phrases, Assertiveness
Situational Awareness
Information gathering, Mental model, Anticipation
Decision Making
Risk assessment, Time pressure, Contingency planning
Error Management
Error chains, Detection, Recovery, Reporting
Fatigue Management
Work/rest hours, Signs of fatigue, Countermeasures
GMDSS Communications
GMDSS Overview
Sea areas A1-A4, Functional requirements, Equipment
VHF & DSC
Channels, DSC calls, Distress/Urgency/Safety
MF/HF Radio
Frequencies, Propagation, DSC, NBDP
INMARSAT
Fleet Broadband, Inmarsat-C, SafetyNET, EGC
EPIRB
406 MHz, Registration, Testing, Float-free
SART & AIS-SART
Radar transponder, AIS beacon, Testing
NAVTEX
Message types, Stations, Programming
Distress Procedures
Mayday, Pan-Pan, Securite, SAR coordination
Watchkeeping Procedures
Taking Over the Watch
Checklist, Night vision, Briefing, Confirmation
Lookout Duties
Visual, Radar, AIS, Reporting
Steering
Helm orders, Autopilot, Manual steering, Emergency
Log Keeping
Deck log, Bell book, Movement book, Records
Calling the Master
Standing orders, Night orders, When to call
4. Cargo Operations
General Cargo Handling
Cargo Gear & Equipment
Derricks, Cranes, SWL, Rigging, Maintenance
Stowage & Securing
Stowage factor, Broken stowage, Lashing, CSS Code
Cargo Documentation
B/L, Manifest, Stowage plan, Mate's receipt
Hatch Covers
Types, Operation, Maintenance, Weathertightness
Cargo Ventilation
Dew point, Sweat, Natural/Mechanical ventilation
Dangerous Goods
IMDG Code
Classes 1-9, UN numbers, Packing groups, Labels
DG Stowage & Segregation
Segregation table, On deck/Under deck, Documentation
DG Emergencies
EmS, MFAG, Spillage, Fire fighting
Ship Stability
Stability Principles
Centre of gravity, Buoyancy, Metacentre, GM, GZ curve
Free Surface Effect
Virtual rise of G, Slack tanks, Corrections
Trim Calculations
LCG, LCB, MCT, Trimming moments
Loading Computer
Data input, Stability criteria, Stress limits
Stability Criteria
IMO criteria, Grain stability, Damage stability
Inclining Experiment
Procedure, Calculations, Lightship data
Specialized Cargo
Bulk Cargo Operations
Loading/Discharging, Trimming, Draft survey
Container Operations
Bay plan, Lashing, Reefer monitoring, Weight verification
Tanker Operations Basics
Cargo systems, Inert gas, COW, Venting
Refrigerated Cargo
Temperature control, Ventilation, Pre-cooling
5. Seamanship & Ship Handling
Deck Work
Mooring Operations
Mooring lines, Winches, Bollards, Snap-back zones
Anchoring
Anchor types, Scope, Anchor watch, Dragging
Rope & Wire Work
Types, Inspection, Maintenance, Safe handling
Deck Maintenance
Painting, Greasing, Sounding, Tank inspection
Pilot Ladder
Rigging, SOLAS requirements, Combination ladder
Ship Handling
Propeller Effects
Transverse thrust, Prop walk, Interaction
Rudder Effects
Turning circle, Pivot point, Advance, Transfer
Ship Maneuvering
Stopping distances, Turning, Backing
Berthing & Unberthing
Approach, Line handling, Wind/Current effects
Heavy Weather Operations
Heaving to, Running, Synchronous rolling
Tug Assistance
Tug types, Communication, Towing arrangements
Squat & Interaction
Shallow water, Bank effect, Ship-to-ship
Emergency Procedures
Search & Rescue
SAR patterns, IAMSAR, Coordination, Reporting
Man Overboard
Williamson turn, Scharnow turn, Recovery
Abandon Ship
Muster, Lifeboats, Life rafts, Survival
Advanced Fire Fighting
Fire parties, Boundary cooling, Fixed systems
Damage Control
Flooding, Shoring, Pumping, Stability
Grounding Response
Immediate actions, Damage assessment, Refloating
Collision Response
Immediate actions, Damage assessment, Reporting
6. Maritime Regulations
International Conventions
SOLAS
Safety of Life at Sea - LSA, Fire safety, Navigation
MARPOL
Annexes I-VI, ORB, Garbage management, SOPEP
STCW
Training standards, Certification, Watchkeeping
MLC 2006
Seafarer rights, Working conditions, Accommodation
Load Line Convention
Freeboard, Load line marks, Zones, Surveys
COLREG Convention
Rules of the road, Annexes, Amendments
Tonnage Convention
GT, NT calculations, Tonnage certificate
Ship Management
ISM Code
SMS, DPA, Audits, Non-conformities, DOC/SMC
ISPS Code
Security levels, SSP, SSO, PFSO, ISSC
Port State Control
PSC regimes, Inspections, Detentions, Deficiencies
Flag State Requirements
Registration, Surveys, Certificates, Inspections
Vetting Inspections
SIRE, CDI, Rightship, Preparation
Environmental Protection
Ballast Water Management
BWM Convention, Treatment systems, Record keeping
Anti-Fouling Systems
AFS Convention, TBT ban, Compliant coatings
Air Emissions
SOx, NOx, ECA, EEDI, SEEMP, CII
Garbage Management
MARPOL Annex V, Garbage record book, Special areas
📚 Learning Resources
- • STCW Convention - Official IMO training standards
- • Reeds Nautical Almanac - Navigation reference
- • Pounder's Marine Diesel Engines - Engine reference
- • Ship Knowledge by KVH - Comprehensive ship operations
- • Lamb's Questions & Answers - Exam preparation
This guide aims to provide a general overview. For precise career planning, consult maritime academies, regulatory bodies, and experienced maritime professionals.
Information compiled for general guidance