A first mate, also known as a chief officer, is an officer on a merchant ship who is second in command directly under the ships captain. The first mate is responsible for ship navigation and safety if the captain is unable to perform their duties. The actual title used for the first mate will vary by ships employment, by type of ship, by nationality, and by trade. The first mate is in charge of the ships deck department, manages the ships cargo, and is responsible for the well-being of the ship and crew. Some of the duties of a first mate include:
- Steering the ship
- Directing the deck crew
- Operating various ship systems
- Maintaining the deck log
- Planning the loading and unloading of cargo
- Providing boat maintenance
- Working with electronic navigation aids
- Inspecting the cargo hold during loading to ensure that the cargo is stowed according to specifications
On larger ships, there may be three officers called first, second, and third mates. The first mate has the highest authority and takes command of the ship if the captain is incapacitated. Usually, the first mate is in charge of the cargo and/or passengers, the second mate is in charge of navigation, and the third mate is in charge of safety. On smaller vessels, there may be only one mate who handles all of the responsibilities.
