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Second Mate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

United States Coast Guard

Boatswain's Mate

Yorktown, VA · On-site

$22 - $24.75/hr

Captain, Mate, or Pilot of Water Vessels * General and Operations Manager * Emergency Management Director * First-line Supervisor of Material-moving Machine and Vehicle Operators * Schedule ...

United States Coast Guard

Gunner's Mate

Yorktown, VA · On-site

$22 - $24.75/hr

Are You... * Comfortable with firearms? * Attentive to detail? * Inclined toward mechanics and math? * Interested in law enforcement or security? Skills You'll Learn Firearms maintenance Firearms ...

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Second Mate information

See Virginia salary details

$22

$25

$29

How much do second mate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for second mate in Virginia is $25.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.85 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a second mate?

The second mate, or second officer, is the third-highest position on a ship. As a second mate, your job duties include keeping watch, overseeing navigational procedures, preparing voyage plans, and serving as an understudy for the first and second ranking officers on the ship. In general, you need considerable experience working on a ship before being considered for a second mate job, having already honed your skills working through the ranks. You’re in charge of other crew members in your role as the second mate, making leadership skills crucial. You also need to get your second mate license and, depending on the company, additional certifications to prove your qualifications for this career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a second mate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Second Mate, you need strong navigational expertise, knowledge of maritime regulations, and a valid STCW certification, typically supported by a maritime academy diploma. Proficiency with electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), radar, GPS, and safety management systems is essential. Leadership, decision-making, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating crew and ensuring vessel safety. These skills and qualifications are crucial for safe navigation, efficient operations, and compliance with international maritime standards.

What are some common challenges faced by a second mate during long voyages, and how can they be managed?

As a Second Mate, one of the main challenges during extended voyages is maintaining navigational accuracy and ensuring the safe passage of the vessel, especially in adverse weather or congested waters. Managing fatigue due to long watch hours and coordinating effectively with the rest of the bridge team are also significant aspects. To address these challenges, Second Mates rely on strong organizational skills, proactive communication, and adherence to rest schedules. Building good rapport with crewmates and staying current with navigational technologies further helps in managing the demands of the role.

What is the difference between Second Mate vs Third Mate?

AspectSecond MateThird Mate
CertificationsSTCW Officer Certification, Second Mate LicenseSTCW Officer Certification, Third Mate License
Work EnvironmentBridge watch, navigation, safety duties on larger vesselsBridge watch, safety, and auxiliary duties, often on smaller ships
ResponsibilitiesNavigation, safety management, overseeing deck crewAssist navigation, safety checks, support senior officers

The main difference between a Second Mate and a Third Mate lies in their level of responsibility and licensing. Second Mates typically hold higher certifications and are responsible for navigation and safety on larger ships, while Third Mates assist with these duties and often serve on smaller vessels. Both roles are essential in maritime operations, with Second Mates generally having more experience and authority.

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The most popular types of Second Mate jobs in Virginia are:

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For Second Mate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Second Mate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Second Mate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,168 per year, or $25.6 per hour.

Second Mate - Seaward Services - TSVRON

Hornblower City Cruises

Norfolk, VA

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.


Position Summary:

The Second Mate shall serve as navigation officer for the assigned Training Support Vessel (TSV-1 PREVAIL, TSV-3 HUNTER, TSV-4 NARRAGANSETT, or TSV-5 VINDICATOR). This role involves maintaining charts and publications, preparing voyage plans, and making daily reports to the Master on voyage progress. The Second Mate also performs cleaning, painting, and maintenance duties as directed by the Chief Mate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serve as navigation officer.
  • Maintain charts and publications.
  • Prepare all voyage plans; make daily report to the Master on voyage progress.
  • Perform cleaning, painting, maintenance duties as directed by the Chief Mate.
  • Stand navigation watches as assigned per operational requirements.
  • Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
  • U.S. Coast Guard license/certificate requirements: Second Mate with VSO, VSPSD, STCW.
    • STCW Requirements: OICNW; Able Seafarer-Deck; RFPNW; PSC; Medical care Provider; ADV FF; Basic Training; GMDSS Operator; ECDIS (Unlimited); Lifeboatman; Wiper; Stewards Department (FH); Person in Charge of Medical Care (PIC).
  • Security Clearance: SECRET.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must possess a valid United States Passport.
  • Must be able to acquire and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Must be able to acquire and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC).
  • Must be computer literate in Microsoft Office and shipboard monitoring and maintenance software.
  • Possess a thorough understanding of all pertinent regulations and laws.
  • Possess excellent analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
  • Successfully submit and complete pre-employment background check.
  • Submit to and pass alcohol and drug tests as mandated by the USCG, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.

#SeawardServices

#HB1


The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.