- "Hardly appropriate for a First Mate."
"Was I the first? I've often wondered." - ―Angelica and Jack Sparrow
The First Mate, also known as the Chief Mate, Chief Officer, First officer, First Lieutenant, or simply The Mate, was placed in charge of a ship's cargo and deck crew. They were head of the deck department on merchant vessels.
The First Mate was responsible to the captain for the safety and security of the ship. Responsibilities included the crew's welfare and training in areas such as safety, firefighting, search and rescue. Though there were some First Mates, like Hector Barbossa, who betray their captains and take over their ships.
Notable First Mates
- Malcom Hatcher (to Nathaniel Hawk) ― Victory
- Bartholomew Roberts (to Howell Davis) — Royal Rover
- Reece (to Laura Smith) ― La Fleur de la Mort
- Arabella Smith (to Jack Sparrow) ― (Grand) Barnacle
- Edward Teach (to Benjamin Hornigold) — Mary Anne
- Luis Montoya (to Esmeralda) - Venganza
- Jack Sparrow (to Nathaniel Bainbridge) ― Fair Wind
- Robert Greene (to Jack Sparrow) ― Wicked Wench
- Penny Jones (to James Sterling) ― Nemesis
- Marcus (to Jocard) - Ranger
- Roland McTavish (to Benedict Huntington) — HMS Peacock
- Hector Barbossa (to Jack Sparrow) ― Black Pearl
- Lieutenant James Norrington (to an unnamed captain) ― HMS Dauntless
- Bo'sun (to Hector Barbossa) ― Black Pearl
- Lieutenant Theodore Groves (to James Norrington) — HMS Dauntless
- Joshamee Gibbs (to Jack Sparrow) ― HMS Interceptor/Black Pearl
- Lieutenant Gillette (to James Norrington) — HMS Dauntless
- Maccus (to Davy Jones) ― Flying Dutchman
- Tai Huang (to Sao Feng) ― Empress
- Lieutenant Theodore Groves (to Lord Cutler Beckett) — HMS Endeavour
- Bootstrap Bill Turner (to William Turner) ― Flying Dutchman
- Lieutenant Theodore Groves (to Hector Barbossa) — HMS Providence
- LaSchafe (to Edward Teach "Blackbeard") ― Queen Anne's Revenge
- Angelica (to Edward Teach "Blackbeard") ― Queen Anne's Revenge
- scrum ( to hector barbossa)- queen annes revenge
Behind the scenes
In Pirates of the Caribbean Online, there is a weapon called First Mate's Cutlass.