Deck Cadet
Officer-in-training in the deck department, completing 12-18 months of supervised sea time toward CoC OOW Deck.
In practice
Officer-track trainee on a 12-18 month sea-time programme. Rotates through bridge watch-keeping, cargo operations, and deck maintenance. Progresses to Third Officer on completion of cadetship + STCW exams.
Regulatory detail & full definition
A deck cadet (or nautical/navigation cadet) is a trainee deck officer working towards a first Officer of the Watch certificate of competency. Under STCW the cadet completes a structured period of approved seagoing service — typically around twelve months — recorded in a Training Record Book (TRB) whose tasks are signed off by the Master and Chief Officer as evidence of onboard competence. During the cadetship the trainee rotates through bridge watchkeeping under supervision, cargo and mooring operations, maintenance and safety duties, alongside the college phases of an approved training programme.
Authoritative source: STCW Convention ↗
Related
Source: STCW II/1; IMO Model Course 7.03
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.