Deck officers or mates perform the watch duties on board of vessels like determining the course and speed, manoeuvring to avoid hazards, and continuously monitoring the vessels position using charts and navigational aids. They maintain logs and other records tracking the ship's movements. They ensure that the proper procedures and safety practices are followed, check that equipment is in good working order, and oversee the loading and discharging of cargo or passengers. They supervise crew members engaged in maintenance and the primary upkeep of the vessel.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Commanding and navigating ship or similar vessel at sea or on inland waterways;
(b) Controlling and participating in deck and bridge-watch activities;
(c) Navigating vessels into and out of ports and through channels, straits and other waters where special knowledge is required;
(d) Ensuring safe loading and unloading of cargo and observance of safety regulations and procedures by crew and passengers;
(e) Performing technical supervision of maintenance and repair of ship to ensure compliance with specifications and regulations;
(f) Applying knowledge of principles and practices relating to ship’s operation and navigation in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work;
(g) Ordering ship’s stores and recruiting crew as required and maintaining record of operations;
(h) Transmitting and receiving routine and emergency information with shore stations and other ships.