The Third Officer (3/O) is the entry-level deck officer rank, the first position held after a cadet clears the 2nd Mate FG (Officer of the Watch) competency exam.
Typical Responsibilities
- Bridge watchkeeping (commonly the 12-4 watch)
- LSA (Life Saving Appliance) maintenance — lifeboats, liferafts, EPIRBs, immersion suits
- FFA (Fire Fighting Appliance) maintenance — extinguishers, fixed systems, detection panels
- GMDSS communication log maintenance
- Chart correction, where a dedicated Second Officer role doesn’t yet exist on smaller vessels
Where It Sits in Career Progression
Third Officer is the first rank after cadetship, reached upon clearing 2nd Mate FG. It precedes Second Officer, then Chief Officer, then Master in standard deck department progression.
The Reality of the First Contract
Joining as Third Officer for the first time is widely considered one of the most demanding transitions in a maritime career — full watchkeeping and equipment responsibility, often with limited hands-on command experience beyond cadetship training.
Exam Relevance
Third Officer’s qualifying exam, 2nd Mate FG, covers Navigation, Cargo Work, Ship Stability, Meteorology, Ship Construction, and Signals/GMDSS.