Second Officer (2/O) Vacancies — Maritime Jobs
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Second Officer salary on the international fleet in 2026 ranges from $4,500 to $9,000/month, depending on vessel type, flag, and the officer's experience. LNG carriers and DP-class offshore vessels pay at the upper end — up to $9,500/month for officers with the right endorsements. The position is known as Second Mate in American merchant marine terminology.
Second Officer Duties on Modern Vessels
Second Officer is the navigation officer responsible for passage planning, chart and publication corrections, navigation equipment maintenance, and standing the 12:00–16:00 / 00:00–04:00 bridge watch. On most vessels, 2/O is the third in the deck hierarchy after the Master and Chief Officer.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Passage planning in accordance with SOLAS Ch. V and BMP5
- ECDIS, paper chart, and publication corrections (ADP, T&P, NTM)
- GMDSS equipment maintenance and Radio Log keeping
- BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System) and VDR / S-VDR monitoring
- Magnetic compass and deviation work (Compass Adjustment)
- Bridge watch as Officer of the Watch (OOW) applying COLREGs
- Medical Officer duties under Medical Care on Board (STCW VI/4-2) — ship's hospital, medical examinations, Medical Log keeping, CIRM / Radio Medical communication
- Preparation for Port State Control (PSC) inspections and Flag State surveys
- On some companies — supporting cargo operations under Chief Officer's supervision
For officer-track seafarers, 2/O is the mandatory step on the way to Chief Officer and Master Mariner.
Second Officer Salary by Fleet Type
Real salary ranges for officers with valid STCW certificates in 2026:
- LNG Carriers — $6,500–9,000/month. Requires SIGTTO endorsement and LNG cargo familiarization.
- Offshore / DP Vessels — $5,500–8,500/month. Requires DP Certificate (Limited / Unlimited).
- Oil & Chemical Tankers — $5,000–7,500/month. SIRE 2.0 and CDI inspection experience required.
- Container Vessels — $4,500–6,500/month. ECDIS, BTM/BRM, optional CTM.
- Bulk Carriers — $4,500–6,000/month. Grain loading and hold cleaning experience valued.
- General Cargo / Multipurpose — $3,800–5,500/month. Heavy lift experience increases salary.
The highest-paying contracts in 2026 are on LNG carriers and large DP3 offshore vessels. With relevant experience, a Second Officer applying for LNG can expect a job offer within 1–2 weeks.
Second Officer Requirements from International Shipowners
Standard document and qualification package required by shipowners hiring a Second Officer / Second Mate:
Mandatory STCW certificates:
- Deck Officer Certificate of Competency, Operational Level (STCW Reg. II/1, Manila Amendments)
- ECDIS Generic + Type Specific for the vessel's equipment (Transas / Wärtsilä, JRC, Furuno, Sperry Marine, MARIS)
- GMDSS GOC (General Operator's Certificate)
- Medical Care on Board (STCW VI/4-2) — ship's medical officer certificate
- Basic STCW: BST, AFF, MFA, PSCRB, Security Awareness (PSSR / SSO)
- Medical Certificate (ENG1 or equivalent seafarer medical)
Experience:
- Minimum 12 months as Third Officer, or 6 months as 2/O for re-hire
- English language — Marlins English Language Test for Seafarers / CES (Crewing English System) score of 70% and above
- Verified sea service in Seaman's Book / Discharge Book
Fleet-specific additional certificates:
- Tanker Familiarization + Advanced (Oil / Chem / Gas) — for tanker fleet
- SIGTTO endorsement — for LNG carriers
- DP Certificate — for offshore vessels
- IGF Code Basic / Advanced — for LNG-fueled vessels
Career Path: From Third Officer to Master Mariner
Second Officer is the central step in a deck officer's career. The standard career progression:Cadet → 3/O → 2/O → C/O → MasterAverage timing on a stable shipowner:
- 3/O → 2/O: 12–24 months of sea service
- 2/O → Chief Officer: 18–36 months + Management Level CoC examination
- Chief Officer → Master: 24–48 months + Master CoC + command experience
Factors that accelerate progression: working with a stable shipowner, specialized fleet (LNG, DP), no gaps in sea service, early CoC examinations for the next rank, and additional endorsements (GMDSS, ECDIS Type Specific, DP, SIGTTO).
How to Find Second Officer Jobs Directly from Shipowners
The main problem with finding Second Officer work is the number of manning agencies that take commission from the salary, charge placement fees, or misrepresent contract terms. JobMarineMan eliminates this through the Direct Hiring model.
How it works:
- Register at JobMarineMan.com
— takes 5 minutes - Upload your CV and certificates in your personal account
- Apply to Second Officer vacancies directly
- Your CV goes straight to the shipowner's Crewing Department
- Interview via Zoom / Skype / Teams without intermediaries
- Job offer and contract signing directly with the company — no placement fees
Before applying, you can check any vessel by IMO number in the Vessel Database
: PSC history, technical specifications, and Crew Reviews from real crew members. This reduces the risk of signing onto a problem vessel.
Urgent Second Officer Vacancies — Immediate Joining
JobMarineMan publishes urgent Second Officer vacancies daily, with joining within 24–72 hours. This is especially relevant for officers whose current contract is ending or those returning from leave and ready to sign on immediately.To never miss a hot offer — enable push notifications, subscribe to the JobMarineMan Telegram channel and WhatsApp updates.👉 Browse urgent Second Officer vacancies
FAQ — Second Officer Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Second Officer earn in 2026?
Second Officer salary on the international fleet ranges from $4,500 to $9,000/month. The highest rates are on LNG carriers and offshore DP vessels. On General Cargo and near-coastal fleet — $3,800–5,500/month.
What certificates are required for a Second Officer?
Deck Officer CoC at Operational Level (STCW Reg. II/1, Manila Amendments), ECDIS Generic + Type Specific, GMDSS GOC, Medical Care on Board (STCW VI/4-2), basic STCW certificates, and a seafarer medical certificate. For tankers — Tanker Familiarization; for LNG — SIGTTO endorsement.
Does a Second Officer need a Medical Care on Board certificate?
Yes. On most international fleet vessels, the Second Officer is designated as Medical Officer and must hold Medical Care on Board (STCW VI/4-2). Without this certificate, shipowners reject CVs at the screening stage. The course takes 4–5 days at any accredited STCW training center.
How do I become a Second Officer?
You need to graduate from a maritime academy or university (Nautical Science / Deck Officer program), obtain a Deck Officer Certificate of Competency at Operational Level, and accumulate a minimum of 12 months of sea service as Third Officer. After that, you can apply for 2/O positions.
Can I work as Second Officer without Third Officer experience?
In most cases — no. Shipowners require at least 12 months of officer-level sea service. Exceptions are some small coaster companies willing to hire academy graduates directly as 2/O, provided they have strong English and all required STCW certificates.
Which vessels offer the highest Second Officer salary?
LNG carriers ($6,500–9,000), offshore DP vessels ($5,500–8,500), and oil/chemical tankers ($5,000–7,500). These segments require additional certificates, but compensation is 1.5–2 times higher than on dry bulk vessels.
Can I find Second Officer work without an agency?
Yes. JobMarineMan.com
operates on a Direct Hiring model — your CV goes directly to the shipowner's Crewing Department. No intermediaries, no hidden commissions, no placement fees.
How long is a Second Officer's contract?
Standard contract length is 4 months ± 1 month for officer positions. European fleet often offers 3 months ± 15 days, while Asian and near-coastal fleets — 4–6 months. Contracts can be extended by mutual agreement.
Find Your Next Second Officer Contract Today
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is your direct contact with international shipowners — no agencies, no commissions, no placement fees. Fresh Second Officer (2/O) vacancies daily on Tanker, LNG, Container, Bulk Carrier, Offshore, and Ro-Ro fleet worldwide.Registration is free, CV is verified within 24 hours, applying to a vacancy takes 2 minutes.👉 View all Second Officer vacancies