Duties and Responsibilities of a Deck Cadet onboard Ship

The captain of the ship must begin somewhere in his or her career. Future officers are trained in their future responsibilities as part of the cadetship program.

On board, the deck cadet has many duties and responsibilities. The main responsibilities include bridge duties, whether the ship is in port or at sea. The other part consists of responsibilities on the ship's main deck.

Proper training and exposure to onboard tasks will allow future officers to be confident and competent. It is critical that they are directed and trained in what is expected of them.

In this post, we'll look at who a Deck Cadet is, what duties a Deck Cadet is expected to perform, and what skills and personality traits you'll need to start your career in maritime jobs.

What exactly is a Deck Cadet?

A deck cadet is a trainee nautical officer who is learning the duties of a ship's deck officers. His job as a sailor is to train to be the next "mate," which he does by completing various tasks as part of a structured training program.

Simply put, whatever the officers do, a deck cadet also does. His training, however, is not limited to uniformed seamen. He also performs deck maintenance under the supervision of the Bosun. He also spends time in the engine room to become acquainted with the engineers' responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Deck Cadet onboard Ship

The following are ten important duties that deck cadets must perform on almost every type of ship.

1. Tank Soundings 

Almost all deck cadets are required to check tank soundings on a regular basis. Soundings are very important for ensuring the vessel's stability and are typically taken after the 0400-0800 watch (before or right after breakfast). The fact that the stability of the ship is dependent on the total ballast carried makes a deck cadet realize the high level of responsibility handed down to him.

Taking soundings must be learned precisely so that the job becomes easier and more quickly completed. Knowing the depths of all the tanks also saves a significant amount of time. Soundings are critical to the loading and/or discharging of cargo at ports and should not be tampered with in any way. Fabricating the readings can severely compromise the ship's and crew's safety.  

You must read this article also: Duties of Ordinary Seaman on ship

2. Cargo operations and port work

A cadet is required to be vigilant while in port as a trainee officer slated to sail as a third Mate upon completion of the training period. Working in port entails assisting the 3rd Mate with paperwork, such as keeping it stamped, signed, and ready with a sufficient number of photocopies.

Watches must also be kept in port, which includes monitoring the cargo being loaded/unloaded (this includes noting down the precise start and end times of loading/unloading every time it occurs). Normally, the Cadet is tasked with monitoring tank soundings and providing continuous feedback to the duty officer via the portable VHF handheld/ walkie-talkie.

3. Deck Work

Every Cadet's daily schedule includes assisting the ship's Bosun with day-to-day deck work. This is essential groundwork, which may appear insignificant at first but serves as the foundation for the coming years as an officer.

Work on the deck, such as chipping, painting, and grinding, is done to maintain the structural integrity of the deck, as well as some rope work (e.g., splicing), which teaches cadets the proper aspects of good seamanship.

Furthermore, as any cadet will tell you, the job of stenciling various parts on deck is a cadet's universally designated duty!

4. Navigation 

Possibly the most important part of being a cadet, navigation is the reason the ship exists, and officers/ratings are employed!

A cadet is only permitted to keep a bridge watch on his or her own with a valid Certificate of Competency (COC).

However, a cadet is expected to learn the science and art of navigation under the guidance and supervision of any certified officer (almost always the Chief Mate), which will eventually help him become a successful deck officer. Theoretical knowledge of the (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) COLREGS, Celestial Navigation, Bridge Equipments, Seamanship, Chartwork, and so on all culminate in this grand attempt at safe vessel navigation.

5. Maintenance of LSA/FFA

It is crucial to maintain both firefighting and life-saving equipment to the highest standard possible. This work is generally assigned to cadets as part of the Third Mate's duties and responsibilities so that they can learn the procedures of noting down expiry dates, carrying out major repairs, checking for any defects, sending emails to the company to order new products, and so on. A cadet learns a lot about how each piece of equipment works, as well as a lot about lifeboats, life rafts, pyrotechnics, SOLAS regulations, and so on. All of this information is extremely useful when taking the 2nd Mates examination.

6. Maintenance of Ships

All cadets who have served onboard will be familiar with the deck cadet's designated area within the ship for maintenance and upkeep. The Cadet is typically assigned one deck (or a portion of one deck) of the superstructure. The upkeep of that includes general cleanliness and reporting of any anomalies in the area.

7. Berthing and Unberthing Procedures

When a ship comes alongside (or casts away), "all hands on deck" is usually the order of the day. The entire deck populace is generally present at their respective stations to ensure that the vessel berths/cast off as perfectly as possible. A cadet begins at the stations as a sort of rating, doing mostly physical labor. As time passes and experience is gained, his job becomes more supervisory in nature, with the Cadet expected to relay the Master's orders to the ratings, ensuring that the operation runs orderly and smoothly.

8. Pilotage Operations

The role of a cadet during pilotage changes depending on how much time he has spent onboard. Initially, a deck cadet assists the ratings in rigging the pilot ladder & lowering the gangway for the pilot to board, as well as other pilotage-related tasks. The procedure also includes learning firsthand how to construct the pilot ladder in accordance with the regulations. Gradually, once the Master believes the Cadet is reasonably familiar with the vessel's operations, he is summoned to the Bridge to assist the duty officer with various pilotage paperwork, such as printing out and filling out the pilot card, plotting the position, filling out the radio log (under supervision), observing the steering, and so on.

9. Paperwork on ship

All seafarers will agree that paperwork has multiplied many times over, as has the stress and irritation it causes! A cadet is expected to assist the Chief Mate with various checklists, familiarisation lists, key logs, and so on.

When there are new signers, the Cadet is usually given the task of updating the Muster lists and the cabin key log. A cadet's sole responsibility is almost always to make photocopies of various lists! (And the number can be quite large at times).

Not to mention the watch and rest hours, which must be distributed to all crew members on time, is another universally assigned job of the deck cadet.

Although they are not directly part of the mainstream paperwork, the numerous discontinued charts used for stenciling must also be cut out to perfection by the deck cadet!

10. ISPS Watch

An ISP's watch is a critical component of the port watch and is critical to the ship's security. With ship security standards becoming more stringent by the day, the ISPS (The International Ship and Port Facility) watch has become one that must be taken seriously.

A cadet is typically assigned to monitor the vessel's entry and exit points. A cadet is typically stationed at the gangway and is expected to keep a log of all persons entering and exiting the vessel; this includes all shore personnel and also the ship's crew (going on shore leave). IDs must be checked and recorded in the 'Visitor's Log' of the ship. If such a system exists onboard (which varies by company), a ship's numbered ID must be provided in order to keep track of the person even more precisely. Bags and suspicious objects must be thoroughly inspected. A cadet, as a future officer, is also expected to welcome various officials (PSC Surveyors, Coast Guard, Medical/Health Inspectors, and so on) to the ship's office. Informing the duty officer of the person being brought in is critical and comes naturally after spending enough time onboard.

What skills and traits should a Deck Cadet have?

Although a Deck Cadet is an entry-level duty at sea, and a Cadet will not yet hold the seaman's STCW certificates / Certificate of Competency (COC), certain skills and aptitude for a life at sea are important.      

• All seafarer jobs need crew members to work as part of a team; therefore, if you are considering a career at sea, you should consider whether you are a true team player. If you are, congratulations!
• Good communication skills are also essential, especially given that a ship's crew may be from various backgrounds and who speak different native languages.
• Excellent organizational skills, the ability to prioritize duties and tasks, and an eye for detail are also required for success and advancement to the rank of Officer.
• Because of the physical nature of maritime jobs, particularly in the Deck Department, you will also require a certain level of fitness to carry out your Deck Cadet duties efficiently and safely.
• Aside from the previously mentioned maintenance and repair work, there is also the docking of the ship to consider, as well as the fact that you will be climbing many stairs!
• Heavy lifting and standing on your feet for quite long periods of time are also factors to consider.
• Physical fitness is required for many seafaring jobs, but mental fitness and strength are also required.

What is the average salary of a deck cadet?

Deck cadets are among the lowest-paid members of the crew. They earn between $500 and $1,000, depending on the company. As with any seaman's salary, the type of ship is an important consideration.

However, if you are a cadet or want to be one, salary should not be your primary concern. You must concentrate on the training and absorb as many lessons as possible.

You will be ready to become a competent ship officer by the end of your 12-month apprenticeship. Your salary will also skyrocket.

Which companies hire deck cadets?

Aside from cadetship programs, many shipping companies accept cadets. You can find them on their Facebook pages or websites.

Companies with this structure include NYK, BW Shipping, Eastern Mediterranean, MSC, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, V Ships, Anglo Eastern, Fleet Management, and many others. This position is advertised by cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

Today, there is a surprising increase in the number of female cadets, known as cadettes, entering this field. A few have reached the pinnacle of their profession and are happily commanding their ship.

Must Read: 13 Advantages of Joining Merchant Navy in India

Wrapping it up

As a Deck Cadet, you will learn everything there is to know about operating a vessel and will need to become acquainted with all of the various correct procedures, protocols, and processes that come with working at sea.

This can be a small step in the right direction for the right person to become a seafarer with a long & successful career ahead of them. Ascend through the Deck Department from Deck Cadet to 3rd Officer to 2nd Officer to First/Chief Officer - and who knows, you might even become a vessel's Master.