"You will not only excel in your current role but also position yourself as a strong candidate for promotion in the future."
From Ordinary Seaman to Third Mate: A Career Advancement Guide
Are you a deck rating or an ordinary seaman who asks yourself, "How do I move up the ladder and become a third mate?" or "When will I get promoted to be an officer?"
These types of questions come to mind when you have taken the theoretical exam and acquired your OIC-NW license. And sometimes, when you're really fed up and exhausted with the physically demanding jobs you do every day.
As an ordinary seaman, you assist the bosun, the able seamen, and the ship officers. You also need to mop all around the vessel, clean toilet rooms, segregate garbage, chip and paint corroded areas, participate in cleaning cargo holds, assist in preparing the ship's documents, and serve as a lookout in bridge watchkeeping.
When you work as a third mate, you form part of the navigating officers of the ship. You stand for bridge watch, perform daily equipment checks in the bridge, maintain the crew list, update the crew effects declaration, assist the captain on port documents, and serve as the chief mate's assistant in maintaining the lifeboat, rescue boat, and other fire and safety appliances. You will do the majority of knowledge-based tasks in the bridge, so to speak.
In this article, we will explore the typical timeline and requirements for an ordinary seaman coming from the Philippines to become a third mate.
How to become a third mate?
There are many trainings, examinations, and sea service required to become a third mate. This can vary from country to country, flag state, and various maritime regulations. Let's have a look at how it goes if you have started from different deck positions.
Deck Cadet
If you started as a deck cadet and then you embarked as an ordinary seaman, your three-year academic requirement and 12-month sea service period, including completed training record books, journals, and sea projects, are enough to complete your bachelor's degree and be qualified to take the theoretical examination.
Your time as an ordinary seaman will only serve as an additional training experience.
Ordinary Seaman, Deck Boy, Able Seaman, Bosun, and other Deck Ratings
If you started as an ordinary seaman or any other deck rating position like deck boy, able seaman, or bosun, you are required to complete your 36-month sea service in addition to the requirements similar to a deck cadet.
When you have your required sea service period, which was discussed earlier, and have completed your bachelor's degree at the university.
How to get a third mate license?
You can get eligible for the OIC-NW theoretical exam by passing the Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) and completing the required training, including
- Basic Training (BT)
- Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (SCRB),
- Advance Fire Fighting (AFF)
- Medical First Aid (MEFA).
In addition to passing the theoretical exam, you must fulfill these requirements in order to be eligible for the OIC-NW license.
- Practical examination: Allows MARINA-accredited assessment centers to assess your competency in real life situations and ship operations when you work as a third mate.
- GMDSS theoretical examination: The examination consists of 100 questions, but to be eligible for this, complete the GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) first. Usually, it takes 15 days.
- GMDSS practical examination: Allows MARINA-accredited assessment centers to assess your competency in GMDSS related operations and distress situations.
Once you've finished them, you may apply in your MISMO account for the Certificate of Comptency for Officer-In-Charge for Navigational Watch (COC-OIC-NW). The prerequisites are as follows:
- Upload a valid medical certificate in PEME format from a DOH-accredited medical clinic with the seafarer's signature. NOTE: MUST BE ENCODED by the concerned Medical Facility for Overseas Workers and Seafarers (MFOWS) in your MISMO Account.
- Colored 2x2 inch picture in white polo with collar, white background, and taken within the last six (6) months, with PROPER SHOULDER BOARD APPROPRIATE TO RANK and no name tag; Frontal straight pose, showing your full face; Expression should be neutral with both eyes open and mouth closed, no hair covering the eyes; Heavy make-up and lip color must be avoided. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other accessories are not allowed.
- The applicant should be a passer of the theoretical examination and practical assessment for Operational Level and has valid GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate (GOC), COPs in BT, SCRB, AFF and MeFA. *
(“MARINA - MISMO”)
When you have obtained your Certificate of Competency or license, some companies require you to complete the company provided training record book and take the third mate familiarization training and ECDIS familiarization training.
This usually takes a couple of months to years to complete, depending on the individual's dedication and commitment to gaining the necessary experience at sea.
Upon completion of the required sea service period, complete your bachelor's degree in school, and you will be eligible to take the necessary examinations and trainings to advance in your career as a deck officer.
How long does it take for an ordinary seaman to become a third mate?
This is a subject with many gray areas because it is dependent on your ability to perform the job and whether you currently hold an OIC-NW position. However, real life accounts of seafarers suggest that sometimes it is up to the employer to decide whether or not to promote you.
You can be promoted after 1–5 years or more than a decade after being a deck rating, an ordinary seaman, or a deck cadet, depending on the company, but you should also consider the gray areas listed below.
Gray areas in company promotions to third mates may include:
- Company-specific requirements or preferences
- Discretionary promotion decisions
- Unclear performance evaluation criteria
Company-specific requirements or preferences
Companies have varied promotion plans and processes in place, so a particular company may require you to start as a deck cadet, then a deck boy, an ordinary seaman, an able seaman, and finally a bosun.
Based on their argumentation, they wanted you to experience what it feels like in lower positions and know the deck ratings' job for several years.
Another company may have solid standards in place, as well as a promotion program for deck cadets and other ratings. They might ask you to join as a deck cadet, take an exam, progress to junior third mate, and finally third mate.
They may also ask you to embark as a deck rating or ordinary seaman, but this should not take long because they will motivate and guide you through that process.
Discretionary promotion decisions
In other cases, promotion may be a distant dream because, no matter how knowledgeable and perseverant you are, with all of your documents, trainings, certificates, and licenses, some companies will not encourage you to take an exam because they will tell you that they do not care about your license and will not promote you.
They just care about how their business runs and how they appear to their networks; they have no concern for your well-being or advancement.
Unclear performance evaluation criteria
There are also confusing performance evaluation criteria in place, which might make it difficult to understand what is expected of you in order to grow in your profession.
For example, a ship's captain may make onboard promotional recommendations because he sees you as having potential, but the crewing managers and officers ashore would not allow you to advance because they believe you still lack experience, despite the fact that they haven't seen you work on the ship.
They contend that they are ultimately responsible for crew management. They will also inform you that they do not have any open positions in the company, but they frequently take external applications. This lack of openness can be frustrating and demotivating for seafarers seeking to advance within the company.
How do you navigate gray areas in your promotion?
- Review company policies and promotion guidelines.
- Develop soft skills and hard skills.
- Clarification on promotion processes.
- Professional development opportunities in other shipping companies
- Networking with other seafarers
Review company policies and promotion guidelines.
Ask your colleagues, ship officers, and company HR for feedback on areas of improvement and how to better position yourself for advancement opportunities.
Consider seeking mentorship from senior crew members who have successfully navigated the promotion process within the company.
Remember to continuously demonstrate your skills and dedication in your prospective role to showcase your readiness for advancement when the opportunity arises.
Develop soft skills and hard skills.
To accomplish your duties as a third mate or ship officer, you must be more than just knowledgeable and situationally aware. You must also develop leadership skills and emotional intelligence in order to deal with a variety of scenarios and emergencies on board.
By honing these skills, you will not only excel in your current role but also position yourself as a strong candidate for promotion in the future.
Additionally, consider taking on additional responsibilities or projects to showcase your capabilities and commitment to growth within the company.
Clarification on promotion processes
Clarify with your crewing manager or crewing officer whether they are willing to assist and support you in your career growth and advancement within the organization.
This proactive approach can indicate your commitment and drive, potentially leading to greater prospects for advancement and success in your work.
If not, think about the following two pieces of advice.
Professional development opportunities in other shipping companies
If you believe you are not advancing in your current company, no matter how hard you work to become competent and excel in your role, it may be time to look into professional growth options with other shipping companies.
Other companies, particularly small ones, are constantly looking for people who are committed to furthering their careers.
They are more willing to embrace you since, as a smaller organization and crew, they can concentrate on everyone's well-being.
You can find their address on the internet and apply in person at their office, but it is also beneficial to submit an application using the email address listed on their website.
Networking with other seafarers
This is underrated advice, but it is by far the most effective way to become a third mate since your fellow seafarers may know something that can benefit you that you don't. Always connect with others because you never know when a relationship will lead to a new opportunity, company referrals, or helpful advice.
Building relationships in the maritime world can lead to opportunities and assistance during your career at sea.
Conclusion
There is no set timeline for getting promoted from ordinary seaman to third mate. It may take you years to accomplish all the requirements and prerequisites.
You may also face highly discouraging and unpleasant situations, especially after putting in so much effort and attention to your career.
However, it is crucial to realize that not all businesses run in the same way, and there are some that cherish and emphasize people's development.
If you find yourself in a scenario where your hard work is not recognized or rewarded, it may be time to look for other possibilities where your skills and accomplishments will be valued.
Search for other companies and form networks with other seamen who can offer recommendations or insights into prospective employers who value their employees.
Networking inside the business might lead to new prospects and help you find a company that shares your values and work ethic.
Remember that your efforts deserve to be recognized and appreciated; therefore, don't be afraid to consider alternative solutions if necessary.
Understand that a lack of support or recognition from ship officers, crewing management, or the company should not impede your career advancement.
Lazarte, John Henry. “How Much Time Does It Take for an Ordinary Seaman to Become a 3rd Mate?” Quora, 2022, www.quora.com/How-much-time-does-it-take-for-an-ordinary-seaman-to-become-a-3rd-mate/answer/John-Henry-2184?ch=10&oid=374199914&share=2b1e75de&srid=hGfSzu&target_type=answer.
Lazarte, John Henry. “What Are the Duties of an Ordinary Seaman?” Quora, 2022, www.quora.com/What-are-the-duties-of-an-ordinary-seaman/answer/John-Henry-2184.
“MARINA - MISMO.” MARINA MISMO, 2024, online-appointment.marina.gov.ph/main/requirements/TXULXYUIQTVGYOSTV5QN/63428157
From Ordinary Seaman to Third Mate: A Career Advancement Guide