A mate is a deck naval officer aboard a
merchant vessel
A merchant ship, merchant vessel, trading vessel, or merchantman is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. This is in contrast to pleasure craft, which are used for personal recreation, and naval ships, which a ...
, such as the
chief mate
A chief mate (C/M) or chief officer, usually also synonymous with the first mate or first officer, is a licensed mariner and head of the deck department of a merchant ship. The chief mate is customarily a watchstander and is in charge of the ship ...
(first mate),
second mate
A second mate (2nd mate) or second officer (2/O) is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship holding a Second Mates Certificate of Competence, by an authorised governing state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). ...
, or
third mate
A third mate (3/M) or third officer is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The third mate is a watchstander and customarily the ship's safety officer and fourth-in-command (fifth on some ocean liners). The position i ...
. Between 1800 and 1890 "mate" was also the naval rank now known as
sub-lieutenant—master.
One of the mates is always the
watch keeping officer, unless the
master
Master, master's or masters may refer to:
Ranks or titles
In education:
*Master (college), head of a college
*Master's degree, a postgraduate or sometimes undergraduate degree in the specified discipline
*Schoolmaster or master, presiding office ...
takes that responsibility. Each mate also has other duties, such as making the
passage planning, overseeing
loading and unloading and
personnel management
Human resource management (HRM) is the strategic and coherent approach to the effective and efficient management of people in a company or organization such that they help their business gain a competitive advantage. It is designed to maximize em ...
.
The
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
had the rank of mate from the mid-1800s until the early 20th century. Mates in the US Navy were junior
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a Military rank, rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ...
s, originally known as masters mates, who assisted a ship's sailing master.
From 1912 to 1931, mate was a commissioned rank within the Royal Navy, for ratings who were selected for a commission through the
Mate Scheme. Commissioned mates ranked with sub-lieutenants. In 1931, the scheme was renamed to the Upper Yardman Scheme, and those who selected under it were promoted to sub-lieutenant instead.
See also
*
Boatswain
A boatswain ( , ), bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun, also known as a deck boss, or a qualified member of the deck department, or the third hand on a fishing vessel, is the most senior Naval rating, rate of the deck department and is responsible for the ...
("Boatswain's mate")
*
Gunner's mate
The United States Navy and United States Coast Guard occupational rating of gunner's mate (GM) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted sailors who either satisfactorily complete initial Gunner's Mate "A" sch ...
*
Shipmate
References
* Eifler, Edgar G. (1960). The Sails and Sails - motor Navy (Naval Architecture Book) Annapolis Academy Navy United States North America Editor.{{Vague citation, date=June 2019
Marine occupations
Nautical terminology
Titles
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