Second Officer Bulker Jobs: Navigation, GMDSS and the Middle Watch

The second officer is the navigation officer on a bulk carrier. The role carries specific technical responsibilities that distinguish it from the other deck officer positions.

**Chart Management**

The second officer maintains the vessel’s charts and publications. On vessels using paper charts this means weekly correction updates, new chart orders and withdrawal of obsolete charts. On ECDIS-primary vessels it means managing the digital chart system, updating the database and ensuring the system is operating within the parameters required for primary navigation use.

The standard of the chart management is visible to any port authority pilot, PSC inspector or class surveyor who looks at the navigation record. It reflects the second officer’s competency directly.

**GMDSS**

The GMDSS GOC certificate is a hard requirement. The second officer manages the GMDSS equipment on most bulk carriers. Testing, maintenance logs, EPIRB and SART registration checks. PSC inspectors check this documentation specifically.

Renewal every five years. Officers who let the GOC lapse create a deficiency on the vessel at the next PSC inspection.

**Medical Responsibility**

On bulk carriers without a ship’s doctor, the second officer typically holds the Medical Care certificate and is the first medical responder after the master. The certificate requires renewal and the practical responsibility requires maintaining readiness between incidents that may be months apart.

**The Watch**

Noon to four and midnight to four is the traditional second officer pattern. Long ocean passages occupy most of the contract. Port approaches and arrivals break the routine but also require more concentrated attention from the navigation officer.

**Pay**

$4,000 to $6,500 per month. Higher than the third officer rate. Below chief officer. The progression is clear and the examination requirements between each step are specific.