second mate

American  

noun

1. the officer of a merchant vessel next in command beneath the first mate.

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second mate British  

noun

1. Also called: second officer.  the next in command of a merchant vessel after the first mate

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second mate

I was really very, very elated and delighted and excited when I did see that second mate.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2023

Settling into Key West, he worked as second mate on a fishing charter while playing barrooms at night.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2023

Soon, the second mate of the ship behind the Ever Given, Ernest J. Caponegro, lost sight of its distinctive forest-green hull.

From New York Times ● Jul. 17, 2021

Erika Butters, a singer on the Nieuw Statendam, remains stuck at sea off the coast of the Bahamas with her husband, who is the ship’s second mate, and their 2-year-old son.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 14, 2020

“You? Why didn’t you say so? If you’re going, I go, too! I’ll sign on as anything from second mate to cook!”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham