Roles & Responsibilities

The Chief Officer is the second-in-command onboard and is responsible for the safe and efficient management of cargo operations, deck maintenance, safety management, environmental protection, and supervision of the deck department. The Chief Officer shall support the Master in ensuring compliance with all international maritime regulations, Flag State requirements, Company policies, and industry best practices.

Cargo Operations

• Plan, supervise, and execute all cargo loading, discharge, tank cleaning, ballasting, deballasting, cargo heating, and tank preparation operations in accordance with Company procedures, terminal requirements, and charter party instructions.
• Prepare cargo loading and discharge plans, stability calculations, stress and trim calculations, and ensure compliance with approved loading conditions.
• Monitor cargo quality, segregation, contamination prevention, and cargo compatibility throughout cargo operations.
• Ensure safe operation of cargo pumps, piping systems, inert gas systems (IGS), vapour emission control systems (VECS), and associated cargo equipment.
• Conduct Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer operations where applicable, ensuring compliance with Company and OCIMF guidelines.

Safety Management

• Assist the Master in implementing the Company's Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) Management System.
• Conduct risk assessments, toolbox meetings, Permit to Work (PTW) reviews, and safety inspections.
• Organise and lead onboard emergency drills including fire, enclosed space rescue, oil spill response, abandon ship, and security drills.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with Company safety procedures.

Deck Department Management

• Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of deck officers, cadets, and ratings.
• Plan and coordinate deck maintenance, structural inspections, corrosion control, coating maintenance, and planned maintenance activities.
• Ensure lifesaving appliances (LSA), firefighting equipment (FFA), mooring equipment, and deck machinery are maintained in operational condition.
• Monitor inventory and requisition deck stores, spare parts, safety equipment, and consumables.

Navigation

• Assist the Master in voyage planning and bridge management.
• Maintain and update nautical publications, charts, ECDIS corrections, and navigational documentation.
• Stand navigational watch in accordance with Company procedures and STCW requirements when required.
• Promote effective Bridge Resource Management (BRM).

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:SOLASMARPOL Annex I & IISTCW ConventionISM CodeISPS CodeMLC 2006OCIMF GuidelinesCompany Safety Management System (SMS)Flag State and Port State requirements
• Maintain statutory certificates, safety records, cargo documentation, and operational records.

Environmental Protection

• Ensure compliance with international pollution prevention regulations.
• Supervise proper handling and disposal of oily waste, sludge, garbage, sewage, ballast water, and chemical residues.
• Maintain Oil Record Book, Cargo Record Book, Ballast Water Record Book, and other statutory records as required.

Inspection & Audit

• Prepare the vessel for:SIRE inspections / CDI inspections (Chemical Tankers) / Port State Control (PSC) inspections / Flag State inspections / Class surveys / Internal and external ISM/ISPS audits
• Assist in implementing corrective and preventive actions arising from inspections and audits.

Leadership

• Act as deputy to the Master and assume command of the vessel in the Master's absence.
• Provide onboard coaching, mentoring, and familiarisation training for officers and crew.
• Foster teamwork, discipline, and continuous professional development within the deck department.

Requirements

• Valid Certificate of Competency (CoC) Class 2 (Chief Mate).
• Valid STCW Basic and Advanced Safety Training certificates.
• Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Cargo Operations and Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations.
• Minimum 24 months' sailing experience as Chief Officer on Oil and/or Chemical Tankers or equivalent senior tanker experience.
• Strong knowledge of: Oil and chemical cargo handling operations / Tank cleaning and gas-freeing procedures / Cargo compatibility and contamination prevention / Inert Gas Systems (IGS)Crude Oil Washing (COW) (where applicable) / Vapour Emission Control Systems (VECS)Ship Stability, Stress and Trim calculations / Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer operations
• Experience preparing vessels for SIRE, CDI, PSC, vetting inspections, and Class surveys.
• Good understanding of SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM Code, ISPS Code, MLC 2006, and OCIMF guidelines.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficient in ECDIS, cargo management software, and electronic reporting systems.
• Good command of written and spoken English.