Deck Insignia Guide

 

The Captain is a licensed ship officer, first in command, and responsible for ensuring that all shipboard operations are conducted in a safe and lawful manner, while ensuring the well-being of the crew, passengers and cargo. The Captain is in charge of all shipboard departments and all crew.

 

A Merchant Marine Captain uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold anchor symbol and four gold bars. The Captain of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all deck department officers and crew. Some ships, particularly foreign flag vessels, elect to use a gold diamond symbol instead of a gold anchor symbol.

 

 

 

The Chief Mate is a licensed ship officer, second in command, also responsible for ensuring that all shipboard operations are conducted in a safe and lawful manner, while ensuring the well-being of the crew, passengers and cargo. The Chief Mate is tasked with ensuring that all crew and shipboard operations comply with the orders and directives issued by the Captain. The Chief Mate stands regular navigational bridge watches, supervises crew, and is often responsible for assigning deck crew duties and maintaining order. He plans the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo, and often assists the Captain in taking the ship in and out of port.

 

A Merchant Marine Chief Mate uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold anchor symbol and three gold bars. The Captain of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all deck department officers and crew. Some ships, particularly foreign flag vessels, elect to use a gold diamond symbol instead of a gold anchor symbol.

 

 

 

The Second Mate is a licensed ship officer, standing regular navigational bridge watches, supervising crew, and is often assigned navigational course and plotting responsibilities. He usually is assigned to maintain all navigation equipment.

 

A Merchant Marine Second Mate uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold anchor symbol and two gold bars. The Captain of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all deck department officers and crew. Some ships, particularly foreign flag vessels, elect to use a gold diamond symbol instead of a gold anchor symbol.

 

 

 

The Third Mate is a licensed ship officer, standing regular navigational bridge watches, supervising crew, and is often assigned chart and publications responsibilities. He usually is assigned to maintain all signaling and lifesaving equipment.

 

A Merchant Marine Third Mate uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold anchor symbol and two or one gold bars. The Captain of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all deck department officers and crew. Some ships, particularly foreign flag vessels, elect to use a gold diamond symbol instead of a gold anchor symbol.

 

 

 

Unlicensed deck department crew, highly skilled and ranked as ordinary seaman, able bodied seaman, quartermaster and bosun, work on the ship under direction of ship officers. The deck crew seamen ensure that equipment is properly maintained, and that vessel deck spaces are kept clean and orderly. They assist with loading and unloading cargo and help with docking and steering the ship when necessary. Deck crew seamen are tasked with performing all the vital duties that enable a ship to safely and efficiently transport passengers and cargo. Merchant Marine seamen, if required by the Captain, may wear uniforms to assist passengers in identifying crew members.

 

A seaman uniform may feature shoulder board epaulets with a plain gold anchor symbol, and possibly with an added gold bar. The Captain of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all deck department officers and crew.

 

 

 

Vessel support personnel such as ticket sellers, ticket takers and concession employees may wear uniforms to assist passengers in identifying them and their vessel supporting roles and duties.

 

Vessel support personnel uniforms may feature shoulder board epaulets with a plain gold anchor symbol, and possibly with an added gold bar. The vessel owner of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver anchor symbol and silver bars for all vessel support personnel.