Careers · Deck officer
First Officer
The First Officer is a senior bridge watchkeeper who keeps a navigational watch, plans voyages with the Master, and looks after deck-department stores and inventory. At Disney Cruise Line the First Officer is the Senior Watch Keeper and the Master's representative on the bridge during the watch.
STCW competence
A watch or a day
Watchkeeping
The certificate that gates the job
STCW II/1 (minimum OOW; cruise 1st Officer may hold a II/2 CoC — confirm per brand)
The certification behind this rank
What the rules require for this role — STCW, Indian and UK implementation.
Plus the certificates every seafarer holds: medical, basic safety, security awareness, and passenger-ship training on a cruise ship.
STCW II/1
minimum OOW; cruise 1st Officer may hold a II/2 CoC — confirm per brand
STCW V/2
serving on passenger ships (applies to all personnel)
MSN 1856 Amd 1
UK implementation of STCW II/1
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.20
India implementation of STCW II/1
MSN 1866 Amd 2
UK implementation of STCW V/2
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.55
India implementation of STCW V/2
MSN 1858 Amd 2
UK yacht CoC, valid on yachts only; owner: a commercial STCW CoC supersedes it (no yacht ticket needed if held)
What employers ask for
Seen across employer job postings — a guide to what recruiters look for, not a legal requirement.
STCW basic safety training
e.g. STCW Basic
Seafarer medical (ENG1 / ML5 / PEME / flag medical)
e.g. ENG1
English / Marlins / CES test
e.g. English language
Where can this role take you?
Map your next certificate: your rank, sea time and certificates in; the next step and its requirements out.