Vacancies for Cook

Cook is a core catering position on board and usually works under the Chief Cook when the galley team is larger. On smaller vessels, the Cook may handle much more of the daily galley routine alone, including meal preparation, food storage and galley cleanliness. In practice, a good Cook helps keep the crew fed properly and the galley running without daily problems.

Cook Salary Expectations

Cook salary today often falls in the USD 1,800 - 3,200 per month range on the merchant fleet, depending on vessel type, crew size and the exact scope of the role, while stronger tanker, bunkering, RO-RO and niche offshore contracts can go higher. The average Cook salary on Maritime Zone is USD 2,315/month. Current data on the site shows around USD 1,800 - 2,300 on General Cargo, up to USD 4,300 on Chemical Tanker, up to USD 3,900 on Bunkering Vessel and up to USD 6,500 on RO-RO, typically on vessels with larger galley operations. Offshore jobs can also pay better, and recent Maritime Zone data highlights AHTS and Platform Supply Vessel contracts among the stronger-paying options for this rank. For a broader overview, see the Cook salary statistics page.

Duties

The Cook prepares meals for the crew, helps build menus, orders provisions and makes sure food is stored and used properly. On many vessels, this means working with limited space, fixed stores, changing voyage conditions and the food preferences of a multinational crew, while still keeping meals regular, practical and decent in quality.

The job also includes keeping the galley, canteen and food storage areas clean and ready for checks, controlling stock rotation and helping avoid waste. Depending on crew size, the Cook may work together with a 2nd Cook, Messboy or Steward, or handle more of the galley routine alone if support staff is limited.

Some fleets expect extra background. Tanker and offshore employers may look for cooks who can work under a tighter routine, feed a larger or rotating crew and keep stores under control during longer contracts. Cruise ships, yachts and similar hospitality-heavy sectors may expect stronger menu planning, wider cuisine experience and a higher service standard.

Requirements

A Cook vacancy usually requires a valid Ship's Cook Certificate in line with MLC 2006 for vessels with 10 or more crew, previous sea service or practical galley experience, solid cooking skills, basic menu planning ability, and a good understanding of hygiene and food storage on board. Depending on vessel type, employers may also prefer candidates with previous merchant fleet, offshore or cruise experience, bakery skills, or experience working with multinational crews.

If you are looking for the best Cook vacancies, compare not only salary, but also vessel type, crew size, galley support, contract length and the reputation of the company. The best contract is not always the one with the highest number. A workable galley setup, clear expectations and a realistic food budget often matter just as much.