First Mate - Job description

A first officer or mate is second in command to the captain and answer to him. They have to be qualified in order to legally do the job and need to log a certain number of hours at sea, must have a variety of skills and qualifications including STCW 95 Basic Training, Yacht Rating, Master 200gt, Yachtmaster Theory, Yachtmaster Practical, Sea Survival, GMDSS GOC, Navigation Radar, General Ships Knowledge, Oral Preparation, Oceanmaster Theory, Advanced Firefighting, Medical First Aid, Oceanmaster Cert Comp.

On more basic terms apart from an extensive knowledge of sailing and practical knowledge the First Mate is in charge of the exterior crew, namely second and third officers and the deckhands and ensures that the exterior yacht is maintained in tip top condition.

A first officer is expected to lead by example as well.