Equivalent Royal Navy ranks in the Merchant Navy

These are the equivalent Merchant Navy and Royal Navy ranks officially recognised by the British Government in the Second World War.[1]

Naval Auxiliaries were members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and crews of Admiralty cable ships or merchant ships or commissioned rescue tugs requisitioned by the Royal Navy and coming under naval discipline.

RN rank Deck Department Engine Room Department Catering Department
CommanderMaster (over 10,000 tons)Chief Engineer (over 10,000 tons)
Lieutenant-CommanderMaster (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship)
First Mate (over 10,000 tons)
Surgeon (over 10,000 tons)
Chief Engineer (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more)
Certificated Second Engineer (over 10,000 tons)
Purser (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons or 2,501-10,000 tons if at least two assistant pursers carried)
LieutenantMaster (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
First Mate (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or Naval Auxiliary holding Master's Certificate)
Certificated Second Mate (over 10,000 tons or Naval Auxiliary over 30 holding Master's Certificate)
Certificated Third Mate (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons holding Master's Certificate)
Surgeon (up to 10,000 tons)
Chief Engineer (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Second Engineer (2,501-10,000 tons or up to 2,500 tons if home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship)
Certificated Third Engineer (over 10,000 tons)
Certificated Chief Refrigerating Engineer (holding 1st Class Certificate)
Chief (or only) Electrician (cable ship or if 4 or more electricians carried)
Purser (over 10,000 tons or Naval Auxiliary 2,501-10,000 tons if at least one assistant purser carried)
Senior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; over 10,000 tons or 2,501-10,000 tons if 3 or more pursers carried)
Sub-LieutenantCertificated Master (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
First Mate (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Second Mate (up to 10,000 tons unless home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Third Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Junior Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (3 or more years' service)
Certificated Chief Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Chief Engineer (Naval Auxiliary; commissioned rescue tug if not holding First Engineer's Certificate)
Certificated Second Engineer (up to 2,500 tons unless home trade passenger ship of speed 15 knots or more or cable ship or home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Third Engineer (up to 10,000 tons unless home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Fourth Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Junior Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Certificated Chief Refrigerating Engineer (holding 2nd Class Certificate)
Certificated Refrigerating Engineer
Chief Electrician (except cable ship)
Second Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; ship carrying 4 or more electricians)
Electrician (cable ship also carrying Chief Electrician)
Certificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary; 8,000 tons or over)

Purser (2,501-10,000 tons)
Purser (Naval Auxiliary; up to 2,500 tons)
Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; 2,501-10,000 tons if only two pursers carried)
Senior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary; up to 2,500 tons)
Junior Assistant Purser (Naval Auxiliary)
Chief Steward (passenger ship over 10,000 tons or passenger ship 2,501-10,000 tons if no Purser carried)

Acting Sub-LieutenantUncertificated Mate (Naval Auxiliary)Uncertificated Engineer (Naval Auxiliary)
Uncertificated Refrigerating Engineer (Naval Auxiliary)
Chief (or only) Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; if only 1 or 2 electricians carried)
Second Electrician (Naval Auxiliary; if up to 3 electricians carried)
Electrician (Naval Auxiliary)
Certificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary; below 8,000 tons)
Warrant OfficerUncertificated Master (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Uncertificated Mate (except home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Mate (home trade cargo ship 501–1,000 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (1–3 years' service or Naval Auxiliary less than 3 years' service)
Cable Foreman (cable ship)
Uncertificated Chief Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 1,000 tons)
Uncertificated Engineer (except home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Engineer (home trade cargo ship 501–1,000 tons)
Senior Boilermaker
Electrician (except cable ship)
Purser (up to 2,500 tons)
Assistant Purser
Chief Steward (passenger ship 2,501-10,000 tons if Purser also carried or passenger ship up to 2,500 tons or cable ship or Naval Auxiliary cargo ship over 10,000 tons)
MidshipmanDeck Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; 3 or more years' service)
Radio Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; over 1 year's service)
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; 3 or more years' service)
CadetDeck Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; less than 3 years' service)
Radio Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; up to 1 year's service)
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet (Naval Auxiliary; less than 3 years' service)
Chief Petty OfficerMate (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Radio Officer or Wireless Telegraphist (less than 1 year's service)
Deck Apprentice or Cadet
Radio Cadet
Boatswain
Carpenter
Plumber
Cable Jointer (cable ship)
Assistant Cable Foreman (cable ship)
Engineer (home trade cargo ship up to 500 tons)
Boilermaker
Uncertificated Boilermaker (Naval Auxiliary)
Sanitary Engineer
Engineering Apprentice or Cadet
Chief Fireman or Stoker
Chief Steward (cargo ship)
Chief Cook
Petty OfficerBoatswain's Mate
Carpenter's Mate
Chief Quartermaster
Hospital Attendant
Donkeyman
Pumpman
Engineroom Storekeeper
Engineroom Winchman
First Leading Fireman
Leading Hand Diesel
Electrical Assistant
Baker
Butcher
Second Steward
Senior Steward
Saloon Steward
Ship's Cook
Officers' Cook
First Writer
Head Waiter
Catering Storekeeper 1st Class
Leading SeamanCraneman
Lamp Trimmer
Launchman
Leading Seaman
Painter
Quartermaster
Deck Storekeeper
Deck Winchman
Seaman Cable Jointer (cable ship)
Cable Engine Driver (cable ship)
Greaser
Leading Fireman or Stoker
Assistant Engineroom Storekeeper
Second Cook (and Baker)
Cook
Catering Storekeeper
Pantryman
Leading Steward
Second Writer
Able SeamanAble Seaman
Ordinary Seaman
Seaman Cable Hand (cable ship)
Fireman or Stoker
Trimmer
Cleaner and Wiper
Assistant Catering Storekeeper
Second Baker
Assistant Baker
Assistant Butcher
Assistant Cook
Assistant Pantryman
Steward
Assistant Steward
Boy Steward

Footnotes

  1. Statutory Instrument 1949 No.1852 The War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Scheme 1949 and Statutory Rules and Orders 1946 No.1640 War Pensions (Naval Auxiliary Personnel) Scheme

See also

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