Which Mercantile Marine Cap Badge?

[Shiny]

Hi All,

I'm trying to find out what cap badge would have been worn by a first engineer and a third engineer in the mercantile marine during WW1.

Would they have been classed as officers and worn the officers badge like this one:

http://www.qmsmilitaria.com/viewphot...h=56337&phqu=2

or the ratings badge like this one:

http://www.qmsmilitaria.com/viewphot...h=55891&phqu=2

Thanks for the help,

Michael