Alleinsteuermann/Alleinsteuerfrau

Deutsche Seeschifffahrt, HANSA, Notices to Mariners (NfS), Schiff & Hafen, Shipping and Technology, THB Daily Port Report.

Smart Shipping aims to make shipping more efficient and environmentally friendly through digital technologies. Intelligent onboard systems evaluate automatically recorded ship data, such as cargo status, and external information like weather or port data. In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) could steer autonomous ships or regulate entire ship traffic. Professionals and executives in maritime professions should follow these developments and familiarize themselves with the changing work processes and technologies.

Chief mates (Alleinsteuerleute) usually work on board ships, both indoors and outdoors.

Core competencies generally required in this profession include: Nautical Service, Navigation (Nautics), Maritime Law, Ship/Boat Handling, Ship Operating Technology. Additional competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession are: Occupational Safety, Accident Prevention, Loading Plan Creation, Dangerous Goods Loading/Shipping/Transport, Freight Transport, Cargo Securing, Loading and Unloading Technology, Machine Operation, Plant Operation/Control, Bulk Cargo, Passenger Transport, Rescue Measures, First Aid, Seaworthiness, Safety Technology, General Cargo, Maintenance, Repair, Upkeep. Other relevant skills and knowledge: Competency Group 'Radio Certificates', Competency Group 'Patents, Maritime Licenses - Sea Transport', Competency Group 'Ship Types'.

Chief mates (Alleinsteuerleute) require leadership qualities. As personnel managers, they hire staff for the deck, galley, and service areas. Organizational tasks, such as calculating the stowage sequence of cargo on a computer, demand care and precision. During watch duty, they observe the shipping lane and nautical instruments attentively and concentratedly for extended periods. Responsibly, they adhere to safety regulations, ensure that cargo is properly stowed, and that the loading capacity is not exceeded. In case of disruptions to ship operations, they make quick decisions to prevent personal injury or property damage. Mobility is essential, as they are sometimes at sea for extended periods. Chief mates work on board ships both in enclosed spaces (e.g., on the bridge) and outdoors. Work and protective clothing such as protective gloves, safety helmets, oilskins, and safety footwear are required here.

Example collective agreement gross monthly earnings: €6,198 to €6,728. The gross earnings include lump-sum amounts for Sunday, holiday, and night work, overtime, catering, and other non-cash benefits and services. Source: Collective Wage Agreement for German Seafaring (HTV-See). Note: This information is for orientation purposes. No claims can be derived from it.

Shipping, Passenger Transport in High Seas and Coastal Shipping, Freight Transport in High Seas and Coastal Shipping, Freight Forwarding, Logistics, Intermediary Activities for Freight Transport (e.g., shipbroker offices), Cargo Handling (e.g., loading and unloading in ports).

The exercise of this professional activity is regulated. Typically, further training (Weiterbildung) in the maritime sector is required.

Chief mates (Alleinsteuerleute) find employment in: Sea and coastal shipping, shipbroker offices and agencies, cargo handling companies in ports.

Alleinsteuermann/-frau. Professional title in English: Chief mate (m/f).

Seafaring training (Ausbildung) requirements must be met, as stipulated in the international STCW Convention. Relevant nautical competency certificates are also required. Working on tankers or Ro-Ro passenger ships demands additional proof of qualification. Seafaring fitness must be demonstrated.

Single Helmsmen/Helmswomen (Alleinsteuerleute) support captains as ship officers on vessels operating with a two-watch system.

Schiff & Hafen, VSM

ver.di - United Services Union, Verband Deutscher Kapitäne und Schiffsoffziere e.V. (VDKS), Verband Deutscher Reeder (VDR), Zentrale Heuerstelle Hamburg (ZHH).

Adherence to various regulations and legal requirements (e.g., safety regulations, maritime law, and STCW Code rules) is essential. Responsibility for people and assets is held (proper storage of goods to prevent damage). Frequent absence from home is common. Group and teamwork (cooperation with the crew) is involved. Work is performed outdoors, in/on water (onboard ships), and in office spaces (e.g., administrative tasks). Work takes place in cold, heat, wetness, humidity, and drafts (even in extreme weather conditions). Exposure to strong tremors, impacts, vibrations (in heavy seas) and risk of accidents (e.g., in heavy seas and on wet, slippery decks) are part of the job.

Work equipment includes watercraft such as freighters and passenger ships; technical systems and devices like steering and navigation systems, radar, GPS (Global Positioning System), radio direction finders, echo sounders, logs, and radio devices. Documents such as personnel deployment plans, ship and cargo papers, loading schedules, sea charts, safety regulations, and maritime law provisions are also used.

Single Helmsmen/Helmswomen (Alleinsteuerleute) take on the responsibilities of personnel managers for the deck, galley, and service areas. They are also responsible for ship maintenance, safety, and the loading/unloading of special goods. For instance, they plan the allocation of cargo space, stowage sequence, and loading times. They ensure safety equipment like lifeboats and fire protection devices are functional. Furthermore, they plan and supervise the training of lifeboat crews. Depending on the ship's size and crew composition, Alleinsteuerleute can represent the captain and take on navigation duties.

Nautical Ship Officer (Nautischer Schiffsoffizier) in deep-sea fishing / Bachelor Professional in Technology; Nautical Ship Officer (Nautischer Schiffsoffizier) in small-scale deep-sea fishing.

Professional adaptation training (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in ship traffic, logistics, cargo securing, or maintenance). Furthermore, the trend towards digitalization in shipping ("Smart Shipping") can become an important further training topic for Single Helmsmen/Helmswomen (Alleinsteuerleute).

Further professional and career opportunities arise through an undergraduate degree (Studium) (e.g., in Nautical Science). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general university entrance qualification. For more information: university access in the individual federal states (Bundesland).

Takes over personnel management for the deck, galley, and service areas. Monitors safety precautions on board and checks the completeness and operational readiness of fire protection, rescue, and other safety equipment. Supervises the training (Ausbildung) of lifeboat crews and ensures medical first aid on board. Plans cargo hold layout, stowage sequence, and loading times, and supervises loading activities. Organizes and takes over bridge and watch duties. Plans, carries out, and supervises nautical tasks. If necessary, represents the captain and takes over navigation tasks. Assesses errors and damages in cargo holds, hatches, and ballast tanks and takes measures.

The legal regulations for this profession include: The Maritime Labour Act (SeeArbG) of 20.04.2013 (BGBl. I S. 868), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 14.03.2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 73). The Ship Manning Ordinance (SchBesV), last amended by Article 1 of the Act of 23.06.2021 (BGBl. I S. 1849). The Ordinance on Maritime Medical Requirements on Merchant Ships (Maritime-Medizin-Verordnung - MariMedV) of 14.08.2014 (BGBl. I S. 1383), last amended by Article 9 of the Act of 03.02.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 28). The Act on the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW-Gesetz) of 25.03.1982 (BGBl. II S. 297, 298), last amended by Article 1 of the Ordinance of 23.10.2024 (BGBl. II Nr. 443). The Ordinance on the Qualifications of Seafarers in Maritime Shipping (Seeleute-Befähigungsverordnung - See-BV) of 08.05.2014 (BGBl. I S. 460), last amended by Article 4 of the Ordinance of 25.03.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr.). (BGBl. stands for Bundesgesetzblatt, the Federal Law Gazette.)

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only cover partial activities of the original profession, while others may require an onboarding period (Einarbeitungszeit) that can vary in length depending on the individual case. The following direct employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Alleinsteuermann/-frau: Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually with a short onboarding period): Nautical Officer - Small Offshore Fishing. A list of all possible relatedness levels (Verwandtschaftsstufen) can be found here: Explanations of the individual relatedness levels.