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Deck Watch Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Licensed Deckhand

Seattle, WA · On-site

$215 - $223/day

You'll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where ... Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed. * Assists with lowering ...

You'll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where ... Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed. * Assists with lowering ...

You'll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where ... Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed. * Assists with lowering ...

Second Mate

Seattle, WA · On-site

$28.50 - $31.75/hr

Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship ... Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion ...

Second Mate

Seattle, WA · On-site

$374 - $402/day

Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship ... Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion ...

Second Mate

Seattle, WA · On-site

$28.50 - $31.75/hr

Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship ... Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion ...

You'll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where ... Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed. * Assists with lowering ...

You'll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where ... Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed. * Assists with lowering ...

Showing results 41-60

Deck Watch Officer information

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$32.5K

$62.1K

$103.5K

How much do deck watch officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for deck watch officer in the United States is $62,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a deck watch officer?

Deck Watch Officers are licensed officers on a ship who are responsible for overseeing the safe navigation and operation of the vessel during their assigned watch periods. They ensure that the ship follows its planned course, maintain a lookout for hazards, and implement safety procedures. Deck Watch Officers also supervise crew members on watch, manage communications with other vessels and ports, and respond to emergencies. Their role is critical in maintaining the safety, security, and efficiency of ship operations while at sea and in port.

What are the main challenges a deck watch officer faces during a typical watch, and how can these be managed effectively?

A Deck Watch Officer is often responsible for navigating the vessel safely, maintaining situational awareness, and managing the bridge team, all while adhering to strict regulations and company procedures. Common challenges include dealing with adverse weather, heavy traffic in busy shipping lanes, and ensuring clear communication among multinational crew members. Effective management involves staying vigilant, using navigational aids proficiently, delegating tasks appropriately, and fostering open communication to prevent misunderstandings. Regular training and thorough pre-watch briefings can also help mitigate risks and ensure smooth operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a deck watch officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Deck Watch Officer, you need a solid understanding of navigation, seamanship, maritime regulations, and typically hold a relevant maritime officer’s license. Familiarity with electronic navigation systems, radar, GPS, and communication equipment is essential, along with certifications like STCW. Strong leadership, situational awareness, and decision-making skills are crucial for maintaining safety and efficient operations on watch. These competencies ensure the safe navigation of vessels, compliance with regulations, and effective management of crew and emergencies at sea.

What is the difference between Deck Watch Officer vs Deck Cadet?

AspectDeck Watch OfficerDeck Cadet
CertificationsSTCW Basic Safety, Bridge WatchkeepingSTCW Basic Safety, Training Courses
Work EnvironmentBridge of commercial ships, responsible for navigation and safetyTraining onboard, assisting officers, learning navigation
Employer & IndustryShipping companies, maritime industryMaritime academies, shipping companies during training

The Deck Watch Officer is a licensed professional responsible for navigation and safety on the bridge, while a Deck Cadet is a trainee gaining practical experience. The Deck Watch Officer holds specific certifications and has full responsibility during watchkeeping, whereas the Deck Cadet is in training to become a licensed officer. Both roles are essential in maritime operations, with the cadet pathway leading to the deck watch officer position.

How much does a deck watch officer make?

A deck watch officer's salary typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the size of the vessel. They are responsible for navigation, safety, and watchkeeping duties on ships, often working in shifts that require maritime certifications such as STCW. Salaries can increase with seniority and additional responsibilities.

How to get a job as a deck watch officer?

To become a deck watch officer, candidates typically need a maritime license such as a Third Mate or higher, which requires completing maritime training, gaining sea time experience, and passing certification exams. Relevant skills include navigation, safety procedures, and communication, and employment often involves working on ships or maritime vessels with a focus on safety and watchkeeping duties.
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Infographic showing various Deck Watch Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,148 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 7 hours ago


Job description

Second in command and responsible to the OIM for the safety and security of the ship and all personnel on board. Serves as the Ship's Security and Stability Officer. Provides marine command responsibility and support in ship's marine operations supervising operations, equipment and auxiliaries, ensuring compliance with operating procedures and maintenance requirements and international maritime regulations. Supervises bridge and deck operations. Organizes and conducts required drills under SOLAS and ISM / ISPS. Tracks training and licensing of marine personnel. Oversees local maintenance and repairs of ship's equipment. Implements and upholds safety and environmental compliance requirements. Liaises with shorebased staff and maritime authorities as conditions dictate, and other duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Maritime Deck Transportation degree from four year Maritime College.
  • USCG Unlimited Tonnage Chief Mate upon Oceans or equivalent and Flag State endorsement. Command experience as a vessel chief mate.
  • SSO Certificate from a recognized school.
  • Experience as Navigational Watch Officer on vessels over 3000 GRT.
  • 10+ years of experience as a DPO.
  • 5+ years of experience using IFS.
  • Strong leadership, communication, motivational, and management skills
  • Moderate to strong computer skills with Stability Programs, Word, Excel, information systems and computer control consoles.
  • Good working knowledge of all regulatory protocols.
  • Prefer deck experience in offshore drilling.
  • Experience in marine environmental and hazardous material regulations and procedures.
  • 5+ years of experience in offshore marine operations, industrial environment, and drilling operations. (Experience in Drilling Operations preferred not mandatory as most mariners are from shipping background).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Ensure that the Rig is in compliance with all State, Federal, and International Laws and Regulations.
  • Timely resolve (through repairs and/or applicable EMS procedure) engine room, machinery space, drill floor, or pump room related environmental concerns, such as inoperative or ineffective pollution prevention equipment, waste handling or monitoring equipment, leakages (except those necessary for packing cooling) stemming from pump seals, packing glands or line breaks, or due to any other causes contributing to the accumulations of bilge fluids, oily mixtures and sludge type wastes.
  • Measure, monitor and manage shipboard machinery space generated wastes and the conditions of any equipment having oil to sea interfaces on a daily basis. Ensure that all Engine Room, Machinery Space and Drill Floor wastes that are subject to special handling requirements are property managed.
  • Ensure that the Chief Engineer's and Chief Mate's handover notes shall include an environmental component and description of the current status of operation, maintenance, and repair, for the Incinerator, Oily Water Separator, Oil Content Meter, Oil Discharge Monitor, and other pollution prevention procedures or equipment for which they are responsible, the status of spare parts for the aforementioned equipment, and an estimation of the day-to- day bilge loads and accumulations. If a company-specified format for handover notes is used, this shall require descriptive entries as stated above, not solely answers marked as "Yes" or "No".
  • Ensure that all Ballast Logs, Deck Logs and Engine Room records, soundings and tank measurements are accurate and recorded truthfully.
  • Maintain proper Vessel stability and position at all times.
  • Supervise and monitor Rig Stability and Ballasting Systems during Rig Move and Placement Operations.
  • Calculate and document all Stability and Load Calculations, before, during, and after Rig Move Operations.
  • Provide technical support and assist the Drilling Operations, as necessary, during casing jobs, cementing, transferring of bulk materials, etc., to ensure these operations are carried out in a continuous uninterrupted manner.
  • Monitor daily weather information at the Rig site for wind direction, wind speed, visibility, seastate, and prepare the Rig for each mode of operation.
  • Maintain the entire Rig's Damage Control equipment, at proper inventory levels and in working order.
  • Create action directives to follow to limit damage and salvage the ship following a fire, explosion, collision, or grounding.
  • Acting Deck Officer, while operating on location, in charge of supervising all cargo transfers, and Rig ballast adjustments and loading compensation.
  • SuperviseBallast Control Operators, Barge Engineers, Dynamic Positioning Operators and3rd Mates.
  • Ensure Deck Crew is maintaining the rig in a proper state of repair and preservation, keeping the deck clean, orderly, and having equipment prepared for drilling.
  • Coordinate with the Driller to organize and plan all Deck Operations to ensure drilling operations are not delayed by material and equipment requirements.
  • Coordinate stowage of drilling equipment in proper locations, consistent with ongoing Drilling Operations, to ensure personnel safety and prevent equipment damage.
  • Supervise the Deck Crew during Cargo Operations to ensure personnel and equipment safety.
  • Supervise all connections when transferring bulk fluids from or to the Supply Boats.
  • Supervise safe Tank Entry Procedures, ensuring 100% compliance.
  • As Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO), supervise Crew change by boat or helicopter. Must coordinate all activity on the Heli-deck.
  • Act as Ship Security Officer.
  • Perform all duties as assigned by the Station Bill.
  • Ensure all water tight doors, mooring equipment, hatch covers, and cargo handling equipment are maintained and fully operational at all times.
  • Ensure conformance to local/international laws relating to the vessel's operation, and strictly comply with current pollution regulations.
  • Ensure materials and equipment loaded onboard are safely stowed, secured, and labeled according to regulatory requirements.
  • Assist the Master during rig moves and anchor handling operations between drilling locations and in port.
  • Recommend promotion or disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
  • Mentor, develop and train crew members to ensure that they are competent to work at their next job level.
  • Supervise Bridge operations (VMS, Ballast Control, and DP). Ensure that Captain's Standing and Night orders are followed, and that the bridge watch is kept with a high level of professionalism.
  • Oversee daily stability tasks, to ensure accuracy in reporting.
  • Ensure that all reports and logs are accurate and timely.
  • Maintain constant communication with drilling, maintenance, and 3rd party to maintain high situational awareness with regards to current and future operations.
  • Facilitate ISM/ISPS and SOLAS required on board training.
  • Carry out the Noble Leadership Model by Developing Yourself, Leading Your Team, Driving the Business, and Delivering Results.

HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL

  • Implement and uphold Noble's safety policies and procedures. Ensure that all personnel are familiar with all company safety policies and procedures as established in Noble's Management System.
  • Ensure that every crew member has received appropriate training pursuant to Noble's Management System necessary to ensure compliance with environmental prevention requirements and that proper records of all training on environmental matters are maintained.
  • Be familiar with and refer to the Emergency Response Framework.
  • Ensure that all operations proceed in a safe manner. Correct and notify responsible parties of any unsafe acts and/or conditions which exist.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for environmental protection.
  • Encourage and motivate personnel to observe safety and environmental policies and all intended and implied requirements of Noble's Management System.
  • Assist in training of crewmembers in the firefighting, safety and deck operations.
  • Ensure that every crew member has received appropriate environmental training pursuant to company policy to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, Environmental Management System and other maritime pollution prevention requirements and that the proper records of all training on environmental matters are maintained.
  • Ensure that all personnel on board the vessel have been informed and are familiar with safety precautions, procedures, and drills established by Noble and/or the client and that the vessel has the required quantity and quality of safety equipment on board at all times.
  • Maintain safety and security of the ship's crew and passengers and the operational condition of the life saving, fire-fighting, and other safety systems. Lead the ship's firefighting and damage control response from the deck level. Train and instruct members of the ships firefighting party.
  • Plan and execute drills in compliance with Noble's Management System.
  • Responsible for familiarizing and adhering to Noble's Live Safe Code for the purpose of promoting a zero-incident and no-harm workplace.
  • Reportto HSE all instances of excessive waste stream development.
  • Responsible for familiarizing and utilizing Noble's Hazard Identification Tool to manage risk created by various energy sources found in the workplace.
  • Attend and actively participate in daily pre-tour and weekly safety meetings.
  • Ensure compliance with the requirements established in Noble's Management System.
  • Initiate a safety stand down whenever an unplanned hazard or change in the expected results is observed.
  • Perform all Safety Critical Tasks as detailed in the HSE Case.
  • Incorporate the STOP the job planning process into all tasks, whether working alone or as part of a team.
  • Take the initiative to perform emergency duties without specific orders or instruction.
  • Develop and implement Job Safety Analysis and prepare hazard assessments as required.
  • Assist in the audit process to ensure complete compliance with the various requirements, policies and procedures addressed in Noble's Management System, and in Section VIII of the ECP if applicable.
  • Responsible for compliance with all government regulations.