Hieu Nguyen — My Journey to Captain

Free for seafarers

55 interview questions — with model answers

The questions I was actually asked on the way up, and how I answer them today

Most seafarers fail the interview not because they lack knowledge, but because nobody ever told them what the questions sound like. This is the list I wish I had as a cadet.

40 questions for Third Officer and Second Officer positions
15 questions asked at Chief Mate level
Model answers in plain English — usable if English is not your first language
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About me

From cadet to captain — one rank at a time

A journey built one contract at a time

I'm Hieu — an ocean-going deck officer from Vietnam. I started at the very bottom as a deck cadet, sailing international routes and transiting the Suez Canal, then worked my way up to Third Officer and Second Officer.

In 2026, I entered the most important stage of my career so far: the Management Level course (STCW II/2) — the foundation for taking on the Chief Mate position properly and transparently. No shortcuts, no faked sea time.

Chief Mate is the next rank. Captain is where this road is heading — and I plan to earn it the same way: through real sea time, real competence, and the discipline to keep learning after every contract.

Alongside my life at sea, I run a channel for seafarers — where I share what I've lived, learned and paid for on board, so the next generation has an easier road than I did.

THE EARLY YEARS

Deck Cadet

First voyages on ocean-going cargo ships — international routes, including Suez Canal transits.

Third Officer (3/O)

Navigation watchkeeper, in charge of life-saving and fire-fighting equipment.

NOW

Second Officer (2/O)

Navigation officer — passage planning and chart correction.

2026

Management Level → Chief Mate

STCW II/2 management-level training — the next rank, earned the honest way.

THE GOAL

Captain (Master Mariner)

The long road. Every contract, every lesson, every rank in between is a step toward this.

Birthday on board as Third Officer — Birthday on board — as Third Officer (3/O).

My channel

My Journey to Captain

Real seafaring knowledge, from someone still sailing

Helping seafarers pass interviews, master their profession, climb the ranks all the way to Captain, grow their income, keep their money — and one day, come home for good.

For employers & crewing partners

Professional Profile

Who you get when I step on board

I am a Vietnamese ocean-going deck officer, currently sailing as Second Officer on dry cargo vessels. I am completing my Management Level (STCW II/2) training in 2026, preparing for the Chief Mate position — and, in time, Master Mariner. Step by step, with real sea time and real competence.

Experience

Deck cadet → Third Officer → Second Officer on ocean-going dry cargo vessels
International trading routes, incl. Suez Canal transits
Navigation watchkeeping, passage planning & chart correction

Current focus

Management Level course (STCW II/2) — expected completion Sep 2026
Cargo operations, stability & ballast management for bulk / general cargo
Shipboard documentation: NOR, B/L, Mate's Receipt, LOP

Working principles

No shortcuts — every rank earned through real competence and real sea time
Safety-first watchkeeping and teamwork across multinational crews
Continuous learner: daily study routine, structured self-review

Beyond the bridge

Marathon runner in training — discipline built on and off the ship
Content creator: maritime knowledge channel for seafarers
Family man — the reason behind every voyage

Nguyen Chi Hieu
My Journey to Captain