Ship Organization

ship's crew is divided into three

distinct sections:
those who navigate the ship
those who maintain the machinery
and controls, carrying out all repair
functions on-board.
the catering department that takes
care of the catering needs of the
complement.

Ship Organization
Seafarers

hold a variety of
professions and ranks, and
each of these roles carries
unique responsibilities which
are integral to the successful
operation of a seafaring
vessel.

Ship Organization
A

ship's bridge, filled with

sophisticated equipment, requires
skills differing from those used on
the deck, which houses berthing
and cargo gear, which requires
skills different from those used in
a ship's engine room, and so on.

Ship Organization
The

following is only a partial

listing of professions and ranks.
Ship operators have
understandably employed a wide
variety of positions, given the vast
array of technologies, missions,
and circumstances that ships
have been subjected to over the
years.

Ship Organization

A ship's crew can generally

be divided into three main
categories: the deck
department, the engineering
department, and the steward's
department,

Ship Departments
SHIP

DECK

ENGINE CATERING

Modern ship's complement

Captain/Master
Captain

is the traditional
customary title given to the
person in charge of a ship at
sea.

The Captain
On

most legal documents in the

merchant shipping industry, the
captain is correctly referred to as
the ship's Master. A nautical
"captain" may be a civilian with a
master's license or a naval
commissioned officer of any rank.

The Captain
On

shore, a harbormaster, as the

equivalent chief of a port, is
sometimes titled "captain" if he
had merchant marine or naval
rank and professional service in
command at sea. Many shipping
companies also hire experienced
captains to run their operations
department.

The Captain

A person holding an unrestricted

master's license (or certificate) is
called a Master Mariner, and may use
the acronym MM after their name. The
term unrestricted indicates that there
is no restriction of size, power or
geographic locale on the license. It is
the highest level of professional
qualification amongst mariners.

The Captain
Among

professional mariners, the

title "Captain" is generally
reserved for someone who has
served in command of a merchant
vessel, and not for someone who
may hold a command license but
has never been appointed to a
command position. Captains retain
the title while working in a
maritime related field ashore.

The Captain
The

term Master Mariner was in

use in England from at least the
13th century and was introduced
in America in the mid-19th
century.

The Captain
An

unrestricted master's license

is colloquially called a "Master's
Ticket", "Master's Unlimited" or
just a "Master's." In the UK the
official name a Master Mariners
qualification has varied over the
years.

The Captain

The conventions or acts governing the

license have evolved alongside the
shipping industry. The master's license
is sometimes still referred to as a
Class 1 or Master Foreign-Going
certificate as it was named during the
latter part of the 20th century. The UK
Maritime & Coastguard Agency, inline
with the amended STCW convention,
presently title the license as Master
Unlimited.

Rights and
responsibilities

The captain has enormous legal powers and

is responsible in all aspects for a ship
underway. Powers include the right to use
deadly force to suppress piracy and mutiny. It
was a myth that the captain can conduct a
marriage. However this can now be done on
Bermudan flag ships in international waters.
The Master must hold a Marriage Officers
Licence, valid on a designated ship, in order
to do this, which is issued by the Minister of
Labour, Home affairs and Public Safety in
Bermuda.

Rights and
responsibilities
At

sea, the captain enjoys absolute

command. This authority holds true
even if higher-ranking persons are
aboard. If a higher-ranking person
gives the captain an order, care is
taken to specify what is desired
rather than how to do it. Rank does
not give the right to interfere in the
captain's running of the ship.

THE DECK DEPARTMENT

The

Deck Department is an organizational

unit aboard naval and merchant ships. A
Deck Officer is an officer serving in the
deck department The main work of the
deck department is proper watchstanding
and the maintenance of the ship's hull,
cargo gear, and accommodations as well
as the ship's life saving and firefighting
appliances

THE DECK DEPARTMENT

The

navigators are deck

officers and report to the
Master
A typical deck department
for a merchant ship would
include

Deck Department
(1)

Chief Officer/Chief Mate

(1) Second Officer /Second Mate
(1) Third Officer / Third Mate
(0-1) Boatswain
(2-6) Able Seamen
(0-2) Ordinary Seamen
( 1 ) Deck Boy )Peggy)

Deck Department Duties

Maintenance of
ships hull
Navigational
duties

Maintenance of deck equipment

The Chief Officer

The

chief mate is the head of the

deck department.
This involves administrative tasks
such as scheduling work, quality
control, coordinating with other
departments, and conflict
resolution.

The Chief Officer

The

chief mate also compiles

supply, overtime, and cost
control records, and
requisitions or purchases
stores and equipment

The Chief Officer

The

Chief Officer as the head of

the deck department on a
merchant vessel, is second-incommand after the ship's Master.
His primary responsibilities are
the vessel's cargo operations, its
stability, and supervising the deck
crew.

The Chief Officer

The

mate is responsible for the safety

and security of the ship, as well as the
welfare of the crew on board. Additional
duties include maintenance of the ship's
hull, cargo gears, accommodations, the
life saving appliances and the
firefighting appliances. The Chief Mate
also trains the crew and cadets on
various aspects like safety, firefighting,
search and rescue, and various other
contingencies.

The Chief Officer

On

most vessels, the Chief Officer

and First Officer (or First Mate)
are synonymous, but passenger
vessels often carry a separate
First Officer who is junior to the
Chief Officer.

THE SECOND OFFICER

The Second Officer (or Second Mate) of a

merchant vessel is usually in charge of
navigation and is the next licensed position
above Third Officer and below Chief
Officer. The second mate typically stands
the 12-4 navigation watch. That is, the
Second Mate will stand watch from 1200 to
1600 at noon and again from 0000 to 0400
in the nights. The Second Mate is typically
the navigation officer aboard a ship.

THE SECOND OFFICER

The

navigation officer is responsible for

maintaining the charts and navigational
equipment on the bridge. The duties
also usually entail developing the
voyage plans under the direction of the
ship's Master. In the United States
system, it takes 360 days of sea service
as a licensed Third Officer before one
can become a Second Officer.

THE SECOND OFFICER

The

other duties of this position often

depend upon the type of ship worked
aboard. On oil tankers, the second
officer usually provides the Chief
Mate with assistance in tank cleaning

THE THIRD OFFICER

The

Third Officer or Third Mate is the

third officer of a merchant vessel.
The most junior officer of the ship,
the Third Mate is usually the safety
officer (responsible for firefighting
equipment, lifeboats, emergency
systems) and is in charge of a
(bridge or cargo) watch.

A Deck Cadet (or

Apprentice)
is

a nautical school graduate, entitled

to a seaman's book, but is not an
officer-proper. The cadet must first
carry out a one-year training on
board ships, executing tasks of an
officer-of-the-watch under the
supervision of senior officers

A Boatswain,
often

(at least since 1868)

phonetically spelled and pronounced
bosun, is in charge of the unlicensed
deck crew and is sometimes also
third or fourth mate.

Ship's carpenters,
.though

once ubiquitous, are now

rare. They are, however, frequently
found aboard passenger liners. Ship's
carpenters are sometimes referred to
by the nickname, "Chips."

Able Seaman
In

the modern merchant marine, an

able seaman (AB) is a member of the
deck department and must possess a
merchant mariner's document. An AB
will work in a ship's deck department
as either a watchstander, a day
worker, or a combination of these
roles.

Able Seaman

At sea an AB watchstander's duties

include standing watch as helmsman
and lookout. A helmsman is required to
maintain a steady course, properly
execute all rudder orders and
communicate utilizing navigational
terms relating to heading and steering.
While the ship is not underway, a
watchstander may be called upon to
stand security-related watches, such as
a gangway watch or anchor watch.

Ordinary Seaman

In the Merchant Marine, an Ordinary Seaman

or OS is an entry-level position in a ship's deck
department. An OS performs a variety of
duties concerned with the operation and
upkeep of deck department areas and
equipment. Upkeep duties include scaling,
buffing, and painting decks and
superstructure; as well as sweeping and
washing the deck. An OS may splice wire and
rope; break out, rig, overhaul, and stow cargohandling gear, stationary rigging, and running
gear. Additionally, the OS secures cargo, as
well as launches and recovers boats.

THE ENGINE
DEPARTMENT

Engineers run and maintain all machinery,

reporting to the Chief Engineer. Also on board
are the crew or 'Ratings', who are 'other
ranks' or hands who, though not officers, play
a key role in running the ship by assisting the
officers in daily operations. In the Engine
department, this includes Wiremen (who
assist Electrical Officers), Fitters, Motormen
(or donkey greasers, depending on
nomanclature)and Wipers or utilitymen who
play a large role in the daily upkeep of the
engine room.

THE ENGINE
DEPARTMENT

The original term Engineers (on a ship)

meant the technical people who dealt with
the engines , as opposed to the Consulting
Engineer concept (their counterparts on
land). Marine Engineers are generally more
'hands on', and often get dirty, sweaty and
work in arduous conditions with temperatures
in the engine room spaces exceeding 45 - 50
degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
Patience and a logical approach needs to be
maintained at all times, especially when
dealing with heavy machinery in a seaway.
Managing the 'rough' engine-room crew is
not a job for the faint hearted !

THE ENGINE
DEPARTMENT

There are 4 classifications of Marine Engineering

licences throughout the merchant marine, those
being Chief Engineer, First Assistant/Second
Engineer, Second Assistant/Third Engineer, and
Third Assistant/Fourth Engineer. Those who join
without experience are Fifth Engineers / Trainee
Marine Engineers (TMEs) or Junior Engineers.
Those who join without an engineering licence are
given the rank of Engine Cadet. Engine Cadets
usually only work under the supervision of a
watchkeeping engineer. They are mostly only day
workers and are usually given one day off per
week to study for gaining their licences. Engine
Cadets are generally poorly paid and are often the
target for the worst jobs and practical jokes.

A common Engineering crew

for a ship is:

Chief Engineer
Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer
Third Engineer / Second Assistant Engineer
Fourth Engineer / Third Assistant Engineer
Fifth Engineer / Junior Engineer
Oiler (unlicenced qualified rating)
Greaser/s (unlicensed qualified rating)
Entry-level rating (such as Wiper
(occupation), Utilityman, etc)

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer on a merchant vessel

is the official title of someone qualified to
oversee the engine department. The
qualification for this position is colloquially
called a "Chief's Ticket".
The Chief Engineer commonly referred to
as "The Chief" or just "Chief" is responsible
for all operations and maintenance that
have to do with all engineering equipment
throughout the ship.

Second Engineer/First
Assistant Engineer
The

Second Engineer or First

Assistant Engineer is the officer
responsible for supervising the daily
maintenance and operation of the
engine department. He or she
reports directly to the Chief Engineer.

Second Engineer/First
Assistant Engineer
On

a merchant vessel, depending on

term usage, "The First" or "The
Second" is the marine engineer
second in command of the engine
department after the ship's Chief
Engineer. The person holding this
position is typically the busiest
engineer aboard the ship, due to the
supervisory role this engineer plays
and the operations duties
performed.

Second Engineer/First
Assistant Engineer

Operational duties include responsibility

for the refrigeration systems, main
engines (steam/gas turbine, diesel), and
any other equipment not assigned to the
Second Assistant Engineer/Third
Engineer or the Third Assistant
Engineer/Fourth Engineer(s). If the
engine room requires round the clock
attendance and other junior engineers
can cover the three watch rotations, this
officer is usually a "day worker" from
0630-1830.

Third Engineer/Second
Assistant Engineer

The Third Engineer or Second Assistant

Engineer is junior to the Second
Engineer/First Assistant Engineer in the
engine department and is usually in charge
of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines,
condensate, and feed systems. This engineer
is the third highest marine engineer in rank.
Depending on usage, "The Second" or "The
Third" is also typically in charge of fueling or
bunkering, if the officer holds a valid Person
In Charge (PIC) endorsement for fuel transfer
operations.

Third Engineer/Second
Assistant Engineer

The exact duties of this position will often

depend upon the type of ship and
arrangement of the engine department. On
ships with steam propulsion plants The
Second/Third is in charge of the boilers,
combustion control, soot blowers, condensate
and feed equipment, feed pumps, fuel, and
condensers. On diesel and gas turbine
propulsion plants, this engineer is in charge of
auxiliary boilers, auxiliary engines, incinerator,
air compressors, fuel, and fuel oil purifiers.

Fourth Engineer/Third
Assistant Engineer

The Fourth Engineer or Third Assistant

Engineer is junior to the Second Assistant
Engineer/ Third Engineer in the engine
department. The most junior marine engineer
of the ship, he or she is usually responsible
for electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil,
bilge, and oily water separation systems.
Depending on usage, this person is called
"The Third" or "The Fourth" and usually
stands a watch. Moreover, the Fourth
Engineer may assist the third mate in
maintaining proper operation of the lifeboats.

Engineering Cadet
An

Engineering Cadet (or

Apprentice) is a nautical school
graduate, entitled to a seaman's
book, but is not an officer-proper.
The cadet must first carry out a
one-year training on board ships,
executing tasks of an officer-ofthe-watch under the supervision
of senior officers.

A Motorman
A

Motorman is a senior unlicensed

crewmember in the engine room of a
ship.

Pumpman
A

position frequently found aboard

fuel tankers.

Oiler

An Oiler
is one of the most junior crewmember in
the engine room of a ship (senior only to a
Wiper). An Oiler's role consists mainly of
keeping machinery lubricated.
Wiper
A Wiper is the most junior crewmember in
the engine room of a ship. Their role
consists of wiping down machinery and
generally keeping it clean.

Steward's department
This department is responsible for the
vessels catering
It is usually headed by a chief steward

Chief Steward

The Chief Steward is the senior unlicensed

crewmember working in the Steward's
department of a ship. Most merchant
marine vessels do not carry a purser.
The chief steward directs, instructs, and
assigns personnel performing such
functions as preparing and serving meals;
cleaning and maintaining officers' quarters
and steward department areas; and
receiving, issuing, and inventorying stores.

Chief Steward

The chief steward also plans menus;

compiles supply, overtime, and cost control
records. The Steward may requisition or
purchase stores and equipment. Additional
duties may include baking bread, rolls,
cakes, pies, and pastries.
A Chief Steward's duties may overlap with
those of the Steward's Assistant, the Chief
Cook, and other Steward's Department
crewmembers.

Chief Cook.

The Chief Cook is a senior unlicensed crewmember

working in the Steward's department of a ship.
The Chief Cook directs and participates in the
preparation and serving of meals; determines
timing and sequence of operations required to meet
serving times; inspects galley and equipment for
cleanliness and proper storage and preparation of
food. The cook may plan or assist in planning meals
and taking inventory of stores and equipment.
A chief cook's duties may overlap with those of the
Steward's Assistant, the Chief Steward, and other
Steward's Department crewmembers.

Steward's Assistant
A

Steward's Assistant or SA is an
entry-level crewmember in the
Steward's department of a ship. This
position can also be referred to as
Galley Utilityman or Messman. The
role of the SA consists mainly of
cleaning and assisting with the
preparation and serving of meals.

Chief Steward
The Chief Steward is the senior unlicensed crewmember working in the Steward's department of a
ship. Most merchant marine vessels do not carry a purser.
The chief steward directs, instructs, and assigns personnel performing such functions as preparing
and serving meals; cleaning and maintaining officers' quarters and steward department areas; and
receiving, issuing, and inventorying stores.
The chief steward also plans menus; compiles supply, overtime, and cost control records. The
Steward may requisition or purchase stores and equipment. Additional duties may include baking
bread, rolls, cakes, pies, and pastries.
A Chief Steward's duties may overlap with those of the Steward's Assistant, the Chief Cook, and
other Steward's Department crewmembers.
Chief Cook
.
The Chief Cook is a senior unlicensed crewmember working in the Steward's department of a ship.
The Chief Cook directs and participates in the preparation and serving of meals; determines timing
and sequence of operations required to meet serving times; inspects galley and equipment for
cleanliness and proper storage and preparation of food. The cook may plan or assist in planning
meals and taking inventory of stores and equipment.
A chief cook's duties may overlap with those of the Steward's Assistant, the Chief Steward, and
other Steward's Department crewmembers.
Steward's Assistant
A Steward's Assistant or SA is an entry-level crewmember in the Steward's department of a ship.
This position can also be referred to as Galley Utilityman or Messman. The role of the SA consists
mainly of cleaning and assisting with the preparation and serving of meals.