Chief Officer / First Mate
The chief officer runs the deck department and stands in for the captain. On yachts over about 40m, this is the person who plans the deck work, signs off the safety drills, keeps a senior bridge watch and makes sure the tenders and toys are ready when guests want them. For most people it is the last step before command.
The jobWhat fills the day
A chief officer does three jobs at once. On the bridge you are a senior watchkeeper, often on the 4-8 watch, and you draw up passage plans for the captain to approve. On deck you manage the bosun and deckhands, set the daily job list and own the condition of the exterior: paint, varnish, teak, stainless and tenders. In the office you handle safety and compliance. That means running drills, keeping the ISM paperwork up to date, maintaining life-saving and firefighting equipment and preparing for flag and class surveys. You are usually the Ship Security Officer as well.
With guests aboard, the job is mostly operations. You plan the water sports programme with the bosun, brief tender drivers, choose anchorages with the captain and run the stern during Med-moors. On a 40m yacht the first mate works hands-on, often driving the tender and sanding caprails alongside the crew. On an 80m yacht with three deck officers and ten deck crew, you spend more time on rotas, planned maintenance software and meetings with the other departments. The bosun runs the deck day to day.
Captains hire chief officers they trust to run the boat when they step off it. For most yachts over 500gt that means a Chief Mate 3000gt (Yacht) CoC, several seasons as second officer or bosun, and references showing you can lead a team without friction. Clean drill records, a tidy deck and steady charter feedback all count. Many strong candidates started as deckhands. Plenty of others are ex-merchant navy officers who moved across with Unlimited tickets.
Most chief officers aim for command. The usual route is to finish your sea time, pass the Master 3000gt (Yacht) CoC, then take a first captaincy on a smaller yacht of 35-45m or act as relief captain on your own boat. Some stay as chief officer on 90m+ yachts, where the pay can match a small-yacht captain's. The role suits people who would rather run a department than answer to an owner, and rotation is common at that size.
Skills captains look for
- Passage planning and watchkeeping
- Deck team leadership
- ISM and safety management
- Tender and toy operations
- Exterior maintenance planning
- Med-mooring and anchoring
- Crew training and drills
A day aboardCharter day, 62m motor yacht, Hvar, Croatia
Take over the anchor watch. Check the yacht's position, the weather and the swell forecast against the day's plan.
Morning meeting with the bosun. Assign the deck crew to washdown, tender prep and toy deployment for 10:00.
Breakfast in the crew mess and a quick word with the chief stew about guest timings.
Run through the water sports plan with the captain and guests, then supervise the jet ski and Seabob launch from the beach club.
Reposition to the Pakleni Islands. Bridge for the short passage, then foredeck to run the anchoring.
Lunch and two hours' rest while the second officer holds the bridge.
Office time. Update the planned maintenance system, log the weekly LSA checks and prepare Thursday's fire and abandon ship drill.
Run the tender shuttle for the guests' dinner ashore in Hvar town. Brief the drivers on radio channels and pick-up times.
Last tender back aboard. Set the night anchor watch rota and hand over.
Pay by yacht sizeMonthly, before tips. Estimates. Bars share one scale.
Charter tips, usually 10-15% of the charter fee and shared among the crew, can add several thousand dollars a month in season. Larger yachts often offer rotation such as 2:2 or 3:1, with leave paid. See the Chief Officer, Mate & OOW salary guide for figures from live adverts.
Tickets and visas
Must have
- MCA Chief Mate 3000gt (Yacht) CoC
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- GMDSS GOC
- STCW Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical Care
Gets you hired
- Master 3000gt (Yacht) CoC
- HELM (Management)
- Ship Security Officer
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- PWC Instructor
Visas
- US B1/B2
- Schengen right to work
- Seaman's discharge book
Where it leadsA typical career path
Chief Officer / First Mate jobsOpen now on SuperyachtRoles.com
Questions crew ask
Is a first mate the same as a chief officer?
Yes, it is the same job. First mate is the usual term on smaller yachts and in the US market. Chief officer is used on larger yachts, where a first officer may sit below the chief officer.
Which certificate do I need?
For most yachts between 500gt and 3000gt you need the MCA Chief Mate 3000gt (Yacht) CoC. Under 500gt, a Master 200gt or OOW 3000gt is often enough. Above 3000gt, some flags and owners expect Unlimited tickets.
How long does it take to become a chief officer?
From deckhand, usually seven to nine years. Most of that time goes on building sea time and passing the OOW and Chief Mate exams. Ex-merchant navy officers can make the move much faster.
Do chief officers get rotation?
On yachts over about 70m, 2:2 or 3:1 rotation is common, and the role is shared with a rotational counterpart. Below that size, permanent contracts with set annual leave are still the norm.