Inspired by the wreathed, fouled anchor that serves as the corps device for the United States Maritime Service, this gold fouled anchor is the departmental device for Merchant Marines in the Deck department. Along with the Engine/Engineering Department, it comprises the vast majority of personnel on most Merchant Marine vessels not transporting human passengers.
Wear of collar insignia by Merchant Marine officers is similar to Warrant Officers in the United States Navy, with the rank insignia worn on the wearer’s right collar and the departmental insignia worn on the left. Ranks do not follow U.S. Navy/Coast Guard designations—a Merchant Mariner with two half-inch stripes, for example, might be designated Second Officer of the Deck, while in the Navy the same stripe configuration would be worn by a Lieutenant.