Who does what?

Master:

(Addressed as "Captain" and also frequently called "the Captain").

• In overall command of the vessel
• Owner's representative and effectively the vessel's general manager
• Ensures that the vessel is navigated and operated in compliance with:
  • Commercial and operational procedures of the owner
  • Safety requirements contained in national and international regulations
  • Technical and operational limitations of the vessel
• Manoeuvres the vessel when entering and leaving port and in confined waters.
• On call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, Sundays and holidays included.

In practice many tasks and duties are delegated to other officers onboard and the role is mainly managerial and supervisory but with a good measure of administration thrown in. Some Masters choose to serve at sea for their entire career whilst others, after a period of time as Master, aspire to positions ashore in maritime industries such as:

• Ship mangement
• Marine insurance
• Maritime law
• Maritime training and education
• Marine surveying

Chief Mate

(Also called "Chief Officer")

• Responsible for loading, carriage and unloading of the vessel's cargo.
• Ensures the vessel remains positively stable, within stress limits with a navigable draught and trim at all stages of the voyage:
  • Relatively simple to achieve with a single homogeneous cargo and single loading and unloading ports.
  • More complicated when the number of loading and unloading ports and the types of cargoes to be carried simultaneously increase
  • Turns into a version of 3-dimensional chess on container vessels and chemical tankers with their multitude of types of cargoes, loading and unloading ports.
• Manages the upkeep of all parts of the vessel outside of the machinery spaces:
  • Plans and supervises the maintenance work carried out by the crew.
  • Ensures required equipment and materials are purchased and available for use
• Safety:
  • Ensures vessel's personnel comply with safety procedures and safe working practices
  • With assistance of Third Officer ensures all safety equipment kept in good working order
• Stands a navigational watch (4 - 8 morning and evening) at sea plus a cargo watch in port
• Understudies the Master

Second Mate

(Also called "Second Officer")

• Navigating officer:
  • Plans the vessel's route for each stage of the voyage
  • Monitors and records vessel's progress along the route
  • Upkeep of navigational charts and publications
• Medical Officer:
  • Diagnosis and dispensing and administering medication for minor ailments, obtaining medical advice from ashore for more serious complaints.
• Communications Officer:
  • Ensures that all the vessel's radio equipment is functioning properly
  • Arranges for any repairs by onboard or shore based technicians
  • Operates equipment to send telex and fax messages
• Stands a navigational watch (12 - 4 morning and afternoon) at sea plus a cargo watch in port
• Understudies the Chief Officer

Third Mate

• First step on the ladder of promotion after obtaining a certificate of competency as "Officer of the Watch"
• Manages upkeep of all life saving appliances (lifeboats, life rafts, lifejackets, lifebuoys, etc.) and fire fighting equipment (extinguishers, hoses, nozzles, breathing apparatus, etc.)
• Meteorological officer responsible for:
  • Upkeep of meteorological instruments
  • Recording and sending meteorological observations to meteorological organisations to assist them in producing weather forecasts
• Stands a navigational watch (8 - 12 morning and night) at sea plus a cargo watch in port
• Understudies the Second and Chief Officer

Chief Engineer

• In overall charge of the engine room and machinery spaces
• The technical manager of the vessel
• Manages the operation and maintenance of all machinery and engineering systems together with the structural integrity of the vessel to achieve:
  • High standard of safety, efficiency and reliability in compliance with:
  • Owners operating and maintenance procedures
  • National and international regulations.
• Advises the Master and reports to shore management on technical matters.
• Monitors and records the vessels fuel and lubricating oil consumption
• Plans and supervises maintenance and inspections ensuring:
  • Parts, tools and materials are purchased and available for use.
  • Minimum out of service time

The chief engineer is the most highly qualified and experienced technical person on the vessel. He/she has a thorough knowledge of the vessel's construction, machinery and engineering systems together with all relevant legislation pertaining to them. As with the Master, Some Chief Engineers choose to serve at sea for their entire career whilst others, after a period of time as Chief Engineer, aspire to positions ashore in maritime industries such as:

• Ship Management
• Shipbuilding and Ship Repair
• Marine surveying
• Marine insurance
• Maritime training and education

Second Engineer

(Sometimes known as "Second")

• Responsible for the safe, efficient, operation and maintenance of all machinery and equipment in the engine room and other machinery spaces.
• Prime responsibility for the main propulsion plant.
  • Carries out all repairs and maintenance in areas of prime responsibility
• Co-ordinates and supervises the work of other engineers and crew members.
• Supervises any contractors working on the vessel for the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment.
• Maintains an inventory of and advises the Chief Engineer on ordering:
  • Spare part, chemicals and materials to ensure timely delivery for maintenance programmes.
• Consults with the Chief Engineer to ensure maintenance requirements are being achieved.
• Understudies Chief Engineer

Seaman

Ordinary Seaman:

An ordinary seaman comes on board to learn ship's maintenance, painting, cleaning, knot-making, watch-standing duties, tying down the ship, rigging, lookout responsibilities and other types of seamanship. He is also responsible for ferrying materials and the liberty launches.

Able Bodied Seaman:

Able-bodied seaman stands bridge watch, lookout, helmsman, and steers the ship. He can also run the ship's main launch.