We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Chief Mate?

By Vanessa Harvey
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,465
Share

To become a chief mate, also called a first mate or first officer, you will need to earn a degree from a sea service academy or obtain the equivalent work experience. A resident of the United States who aspires to become a chief mate also will need to obtain a license from the U.S. Coast Guard. Requirements for work experience will vary depending on the country in which you live, but approximately five years of experience as a seaman at sea must be gained. Some employers also require a chief mate to receive training in emergency medicine because he or she is a medical officer on a ship.

An example of how the average sailor gains enough work experience to become a chief mate involves accepting a job on a vessel with the opportunity to move up in rank. You would start in an entry level position as an ordinary seaman in which a full year of service must be given. Graduation or promotion to a position often known as Mariner 2 could then be achieved. If three years of service are given as a Mariner 2, you would then become eligible for a promotion to the position of third mate, and finally second mate. At least one year of service, a full 365 days, as third mate and the same amount of time as second mate must be completed before consideration can be given for granting you the title of chief mate.

If you think you might want to become a chief mate, you are advised to begin working on gaining the credentials or experience that you will need. A chief mate has a lot of responsibility, so you must possess excellent organizational and leadership skills. Extensive knowledge of the construction of ships is essential, as is computer literacy. Learning word processing, electronic spreadsheets and how to work with a database management system will prove valuable in your quest to become a chief mate. Sailors who live in the United States are strongly advised to complete training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

In addition to the various skills and experience that you must obtain to become a chief mate, you also will need to make sure that you have organizational and leadership skills. A strong personality and being able to deal effectively with a variety of personalities is essential because of the supervisory duties that chief mates perform on a daily basis. These are skills that can be self-taught, practiced and verified. Look for opportunities to work or volunteer in a position of leadership, and be sure to include that experience in your portfolio.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-chief-mate.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.