What is a Relief Master?

The responsibility of a ship worker depends on what industry you're in. From being on a fishing crew to helping cruise passengers feel welcome, there's a whole world out on the open seas.

Since there are so many industries you could go into as a ship worker, you should be pleased to know that you'll have so many job opportunities. You may even start getting annoyed at how many job offers you receive. But at least you'll have your pick of the lot.

Many ship workers work long hours. As a cruise ship worker, you'll be at work for weeks, even months at a time. And, depending on when the fish are biting, you may have to adjust your schedule, if you're a fisherman. But if you're one of those people who should have been born a fish, then you'll fit right in as a ship worker.

A master's degree is a postgraduate degree that is above an undergraduate or bachelor's degree but below a Ph.D. People study master's degrees to advance their education by specializing in a smaller area in their field of study. It involves both theory and research programs and takes on average 1-2 years of full-time study or 3-4 years of part-time study.

Usually, you are required to complete a dissertation in the second year of study, which involves doing a research program with guidance from a supervisor or mentor. This qualification will increase your knowledge and employability. Most people work alongside their master's degree, gaining knowledge and experience.

There are different types of master's degrees, which are: MA ( master of arts), MSc (master of science), MBA (master of business administration), and MRes ( master of research). MSc includes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, while MA usually includes social programs such as law and MRes is a purely research-based degree.

A mate on the ship is in charge of operating and maintaining merchant boats. Your duty as a mate might vary due to the ship or vessel you are working with; however, you will mostly be in charge of overseeing the ship for a specific period while underway. You are also in charge of monitoring the loading and unloading of cargo in the ship for storage. For this, you are responsible for handling the cargo and abiding by state and federal rules and regulations. Furthermore, you will also monitor when the ship needs to be stocked, fueled, and repaired for vessel maintenance and the safety of lives and properties. When repair is necessary, your responsibility is to give directions and monitor the crew member as well as clean bridges, decks, and other superstructures. Whenever the master of the ship is not available, you are next in line to give the command and take charge of the ship or vessel.

For efficiency, you need strong leadership skills, the ability to communicate well, attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, and organizational capacity in this role. An average of $63,969 is what a mate earns yearly. A college degree is not required, but most mates have a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or other related fields.