The positions and responsibilities of a person working on deck vary greatly. In general, these positions are labor positions that require an appreciation for working outside and with one’s hands. They are typically given to citizens of developing countries and are considered good employment opportunities because of the pay the job offers and because no previous training is required. Deck hands on ships that travel mostly in US waters and rivers must be U.S. citizens and these employment opportunities are considered excellent jobs for college students on break, or for someone taking time off school. The work is rough, but can be very rewarding. Some of the jobs on deck include: cleaning, painting, general maintenance to high traffic areas, helping the ship dock and depart, operating equipment and helping passengers.
Below is a detailed list with job descriptions, for positions in the Deck and Engineering department on a cruise ship. A general salary is listed but is only meant to be a point of reference. The contracts vary, as does pay, depending on your experience and the position you hold. Most positions are accompanied with excellent benefits and room and board is almost always included making the earning potential very good for these positions.
Able Seaman
The Able Seaman is an excellent job for someone from a foreign country or with English-speaking limitations. His/her responsibilities typically include: washing, cleaning, painting and other general maintenance onboard. Able Seaman are often not allowed to use guest amenities but are allowed access to employee-only areas and bars. Usually, U.S ships, private yachts and smaller cruise lines allow the Able Seaman more freedom when it comes to use of amenities and passenger interaction onboard.
Requirements:
-Willingness to train
Compensation for an Able Seaman is $900 – $1,200 a month.
Assistant Chief Engineer
The Assistant Chief Engineer works alongside the Chief Engineer in the ship’s engine room and is responsible for assisting the Chief Engineer in their duties and in working to ensure the ship is running properly from a mechanical standpoint.
Requirements:
-Licensed as an Engineer
-Work on a ship prior to application and proper licensing from a maritime training school
Compensation for an Assistant Chief Engineer is $4,000 – $5,000 a month DOE
Bosun
The Bosun attends to safety issues onboard and assists the Safety Officer.
Requirements:
-Good speaking skills
-Possesses a Tender Captain’s License
-Previous work experience on a ship
Compensation for a Bosun is $1,500 – $1,800 a month
Captain
The captain on a ship needs no introduction. He/She is the highest-ranking officer onboard and is in charge of all executive decisions. The Captain generally enjoys the highest pay and the best perks, however the Captain also has the most responsibility of anyone onboard. The Captain must be knowledgeable in all maritime laws and regulations of the foreign waters cruise ships travel within. He/She is the executive officer during an emergency and is in charge of all navigations and operations. He/She must be aware of all policies, including environmental laws and how the ship exists and interacts within these policies.
Requirements:
-Captain’s License
-A minimum of five years working onboard a sea vessel
-Previous work experience in a subordinate role onboard a ship
-A degree from a maritime training school
-Extensive knowledge of all aspects of the ship, procedures and regulations
-Fluent English
Compensation for the Captain onboard is $5,800 – $10,000 a month DOE
Carpenter
The Carpenter takes care to ensure all wood and wood appearances onboard are up to the standard of the cruise line. General repairs and new projects are often demanded of the Carpenter.
Requirements:
-Previous work experience as a carpenter
-Applicants with experience on a ship are encouraged to apply
Compensation for a Carpenter is $1,000 – $1,200 a month
Chief Electrician
This person is called upon for any and all electrical problems and issues onboard. Extensive electrical experience and knowledge is required. The ability to troubleshoot is a must.
Requirements:
-Graduation from a maritime training school
-Degree in electrical engineering or related field
-At least two years working onboard a ship in a previous position
Compensation for a Chief Electrician is $3,000 – $4,000 a month
Chief Engineer
Responsible for the technical operations onboard a cruise ship, the Chief Engineer must maintain and ensure the main and auxiliary engines are operating correctly. Generators, Electrical systems, heating and cooling, ventilation and plumbing are all areas the Chief Engineer must maintenance and attend to consistently on the ship.
Requirements:
-Degree in Engineering with valid Engineer’s license
-Degree from a maritime training school
-Engineering experience in a maritime venue
-Previous work onboard a ship in a lesser position
-Fluent English-speaking skills
Compensation for a Chief Engineer is $2,500 – $5,000 a month DOE
Chief Officer
A person in this role works hard to maintain a quality standard onboard the cruise ship. Responsible for delegating responsibility to other seaman and guiding them in maritime standards and regulations the Chief Officer is primarily responsible for the outward appearance of the vessel and its deckhands. The Chief Officer must be knowledgeable in safety laws and practices and is responsible for making sure his subordinates know them as well.
Requirements:
-Previous work experience onboard a ship
-Degree from a maritime training school
-Extensive knowledge of navigation law, maritime regulations and environmental issues
-Applicants with a Captain’s License are encouraged to apply
Compensation for a Chief Officer is $3,500 – $4,500 a month DOE
Chief Radio Officer
The Chief Radio Officer is responsible for the ship’s communication with the outside world. Maintaining a log of the ships activities, a radio log of the ship’s communication and keeping in contact with the ship’s company via radio, fax, email and phone. The Chief Radio Officer must also maintain the emergency communication equipment and is in charge of life vests, and emergency boats.
Requirements:
-Previous work experience onboard a ship
-Degree from a maritime training school
-Extensive and proven knowledge of a ship’s communication and navigational equipment
-GMDSS Certified
Compensation for a Chief Radio Officer is $2,500 – $3,500 a month DOE
First Assistant Engineer
A person in this role hires and trains workers in the engine room. He/She also assists the duties of the Chief Engineer, however other primary duties normally include the ship’s sludge and sewage ejectors.
Requirements:
-Degree from a maritime training program
-Previous work experience onboard a ship in a lesser position
-Licensed for the work involved as a First Assistant Engineer
Compensation for the First Assistant Engineer is $2,500 – $3,00 a month DOE
First Officer
First Officers must maintain all emergency communication and navigational equipment including lights, lifeboats and life vests. They must work hard to ensure that bridge operational and navigational systems are functioning properly and must be able to handle immediate repairs as needed.
Requirements:
-Previous work experience on a ship in a lesser position
-Degree from a maritime training program
-Extensive knowledge of navigational, computer and electrical equipment as it applies to a cruise ship
Compensation for a First Officer is $2,500 – $5,000 a month DOE
Quarter Master
The Quarter Master must oversee the maintenance of the equipment on deck. This includes delegating responsibility and caring for ropes, tenders and other maintenance issues onboard.
Requirements:
-Licensed as a Tender Captain
-Work onboard a ship in a lesser position
-Degree from a maritime training program
Compensation for a Quarter Master is $2,000-$3,000 a month DOE
Motor Man
The Motor Man has the very important responsibility of cleaning the main and auxiliary engines onboard a cruise ship.
Requirements:
-Previous experience onboard a ship or in mechanics
-Willingness to train
Compensation for a Motor Man is $1,500 – $2,000 a month
Oiler
The job of an Oiler onboard is to assist engineers, perform general maintenance and to ensure temperature and oil gauges are all working properly and within a safe zone for the operation of a cruise ship.
Requirements:
-Previous work experience in a related field
-Willingness to train
Compensation for an Oiler is $1,500 – $2,000 a month DOE
Plumber
A plumber onboard a cruise ship must work hard to ensure all plumbing is working properly and to perform repairs as needed.
Requirements:
-Degree from a training school
-Professional work experience
Compensation for a Plumber is $2,000 – $2,500 a month DOE
Safety Officer
The Safety Officer is responsible for training and ensuring that all staff understands the proper procedures during an emergency. He/She reviews fire drills and other emergency operations and consistently checks that the ship complies with safety standards.
Requirements:
-Degree from a maritime training school
-Previous work onboard a ship in a lesser position
Compensation for a Safety Officer is $3,000 – $4,000 a month DOE
Security Officer
The Security Officers are responsible for the security of the passengers and staff onboard. They are present during arrival and departure and oversee the handling of luggage for any suspicious pieces. They delegate responsibility to lesser staff and ensure that the crew and passengers are behaving in a manner that is safe for all those onboard.
Requirements:
-Applicants with a background in a military or police field are encouraged to apply
-Professional experience in the security industry
-Experience handling a firearm
Compensation for a Security Officer is $2,000 – $2,500 a month DOE
Staff Captain
Other than the Captain, the Staff Captain is the chief officer onboard. He/She aids the Captain in decision-making and shares the responsibilities of the Captain. The Staff Captain is in charge of safety and order onboard as well as the well being of the passengers.
Requirements:
-Degree from a maritime training school
-Captain’s License
-Previous work experience onboard a ship
-Extensive knowledge of maritime law, navigation and environmental issues while at sea
-Fluent English speaker
Compensation for a Staff Captain is $4,500 – $7,500 a month DOE