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. 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. 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. Usually,
seafarers work on board a ship between three and six years. Afterwards they are
well prepared for working in the European maritime industry ashore. A
ship's crew can generally be divided into four main categories: the deck
department, the engineering department, the steward's department, and other.
Generally, there are some differences between naval and civilian seafarers.
One of them is that the seafarers on merchant vessels are usually not of the
same nationality, so that special cross-cultural training is required,
especially with regard to a lingua franca. Moreover, administrative work
has increased considerably on board, partly as an effect of increased focus
on safety and security. A study shows that due to this development certain
skills are missing and some are desired, so that a new degree of flexibility and
job sharing has arisen, as the workload of each crew member also increases.
Modern ship's complement = Captain/Master=
The captain or master is the ship's highest responsible officer, acting on
behalf of the ship's owner. Whether the captain is a member of the deck
department or not is a matter of some controversy, and generally depends on
the opinion of an individual captain. When a ship has a third mate, the
captain does not stand watch. The captain is legally responsible for
the day-to-day affairs of the ship as he/she is in command. It is his
responsibility to ensure that all the departments under him perform legally to
the requirements of the ship's owner. The captain represents the owner and
hence is called "master". = Deck department=
Officers/ Licensed = Chief Officer/Chief Mate=
The Chief Officer/First Mate is the head of the deck department on a merchant
vessel, second-in-command after the ship's Master. The Chief Mate's primary
responsibilities are the vessel's cargo operations, its stability, and
supervising the deck crew. The mate is responsible for the safety and security
of the ship, as well as the welfare of the crew on board. The chief mate
typically stands the 4-8 navigation watch as OICNW, directing the bridge
team. Some crews have additional Third Mates, which allow the Chief Mate to not
stand navigational watch, and focus more on cargo and deck operations. 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 assumes command of the whole ship in the absence or incapacitation of
the master. = Second Officer/Second Mate=
The Second Officer/Second Mate is a qualified OICNW watch stander, directing
the bridge team and navigating the ship. The Second Mate is the 3rd most
experienced deck department officer after the Captain/Master and Chief Mate.
The Second Mates primary duty is navigational, which includes updating
charts and publications, keeping them current, making passage plans, and all
aspects of ship navigation. The Second Mate's other duties may include
directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing anchor detail and training and
instructing crew members. = Third Officer/Third Mate=
The Third Officer is the least experienced qualified OICNW
watch-stander. When on navigational watch, the Third Mate directs the bridge
team, maneuvering the vessel, keeping it safe and on track. The Third Mates
primary duty is matters of safety, inspecting gear lockers, lifeboats, and
all equipment onboard insuring that it is safe and operational. Other duties
include directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing anchor details and
training and instructing crew members. Ratings / Unlicensed
Mariners without a certificate of competence are called ratings. They
assist in all other tasks that can arise during a voyage. This includes for
example, mooring, cleaning of the ship and its holds and repairing broken lines
and ropes. These are physically challenging jobs and have to be done
regardless of the weather. = Bosun=
Highly skilled in marlinspike seamanship, the Bosun is the highest
ranking unlicensed in the deck department. The Bosun generally carries
out the tasks instructed by the Chief Mate, directing the Able Seaman and
Ordinary Seaman. The Bosun generally does not stand a navigational watch.
= Able Seaman/AB= An Able Seaman works under the Bosun,
completing tasks such as working mooring lines, operating deck gear, standing
anchor details, and working cargo. The AB also stands a navigational watch,
generally as a lookout or helmsman. = Ordinary Seaman/OS=
The lowest ranking personnel in the deck department. An OS generally helps out
with work the Able Seaman are doing. Other tasks include standing lookout,
and generally cleaning duties. = Engineering department=
Officers / Licensed The engineers are also called technical
officers. They are responsible for keeping the ship and the machinery
running. Today, ships are complex units that combine a lot of technology within
a small space. This includes not only the engine and the propulsion system,
but also, for example, the electrical power supply, devices for loading and
discharging, garbage incineration and fresh water generators.
= 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 machinery and equipment throughout the
ship. He may be paid on par with the captain, although he is never
responsible for the action of ship. The chief engineer cannot assume command and
the command always rests with the Captain of the ship, unless it is
clearly mentioned within the safety management system.
= 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.
= 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. In the U.S. fleet, it is not
uncommon for the third engineer to carry the nickname "Turd Third" due to his/her
sewage treatment responsibilities. Ratings / Unlicensed
= Qualified Member-Engine Department/QMED=
The QMED is an unlicensed member of the engine department, with more experience
than an Oiler. = Oiler=
The Oiler is an unlicensed member of the engine department, with more experience
than a Wiper. = Wiper=
The wiper is an unlicensed member of the engine department, usually with the
least experience. = Electrical department=
Electrotechnical Officer The electrotechnical officer sometimes
referred to as the electrical engineer or simply electrician is in charge of
all the electrical systems on the ship. The electrical engineer is one of the
most vital positions in the technical hierarchy of a ship and engineer is
responsible for their assigned work under the chief engineer’s instructions.
Unlike engineers the ETO does not carry out an assigned engine room "watch"
instead they are normally on call 24 hours a day and generally work a daily
shift carrying out electrical and electronic maintenance, repairs,
installations and testing. Some shipping companies do not carry
electrical officers on their ship to cut down the manning cost, and the
electrical duties are carried by an engineer. This is usually the third
engineer. However, many companies realized that electrical and electronic
system requires some extra attention and therefore require an expert to attend
them. This is especially true on diesel electric ships or vessels equipped with
systems such as dynamic positioning. On larger vessels such as cruise ships,
electrotechnical officers can have ranks within their profession, such position
names include, lead ETO, 1st Electrician, chief electrical officer or
chief electrical engineer. In this situation, the highest ranked
electrotechnical officer will report directly to the chief engineer. On
special class ships such as FPSOs the electrotechnical officer can sometimes
earn nearly the same wage as a chief engineer due to the complexity of the
electrical systems on the ship. As the technology advances, more
automation and electronic circuits are replacing conventional and electrical
systems. The International Maritime Organisation amended STCW 95 on June 25,
2010 to introduce the certified position of Electro-technical officer in place of
Electrical Officer. = Steward's department=
Chief steward 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.
Chief cook The chief cook is the senior unlicensed
crew member working in the steward's department of a ship. His position
corresponds to that of the Bosun in the deck department, the pump man in an oil
tanker, and the electrician in the engine department of a container ship or
general cargo ship. He can be regarded as equivalent to a chief petty officer
in the Navy. 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.
Royal Navy historical ship's complement The Captain was a commissioned officer
naval officer in command of a ship and was addressed by naval custom as
"captain" while aboard in command, regardless of the officer's actual rank.
= Wardroom officers= The Lieutenants were commissioned
officers immediately subordinate to the captain. Lieutenants were numbered by
their seniority within the ship, so that a frigate would have a first lieutenant,
a second lieutenant, and a third lieutenant. A first-rate was entitled to
six lieutenants, and they were numbered accordingly.
The "Sailing Master" was a naval officer trained in and responsible for the
navigation of a sailing vessel. The rank can be equated to a professional seaman
and specialist in navigation, rather than as a military commander and was
originally a warrant officer who ranked with, but after, the lieutenants and was
eventually renamed to "navigating lieutenant" in 1867.
The Captain of Marines was the commissioned office in command of the
Royal Marines on the ship. The Purser was the officer responsible
for all administration and of supplies such as food and drink, clothing,
bedding, candles, the purser was originally known as "the clerk of
burser.". Pursers received no pay but were entitled to profits made through
their business activities. In the 18th century a purser would buy his warrant
for £65 and was required to post sureties totalling £2,100 with the
Admiralty. They maintained and sailed the ships and were the standing officers
of the navy, staying with the ships in port between voyages as caretakers
supervising repairs and refitting. The Surgeon was the medical officer of
the ship. Surgeons were ranked by the Navy Board based on their training and
social status. Surgeons were wardroom warrant officers with a high status,
billeted along with the other officers in the wardroom. Surgeons were assisted
by surgeon's mates, who after 1805 were called "assistant surgeons". The surgeon
and his mates were assisted by boys, who were called "loblolly boys", named after
the gruel commonly served in the sick bay.[7] A small number of doctors with a
prestigious medical education were ranked as physicians; they would
supervise surgeons on ships or run hospitals on shore.
The Chaplain lead the ship's religious services. As an ordained minister his
social status meant he was made an officer.
= Standing officers= The Gunner was the warrant officer in
charge of the ships's naval artillery and other weapons. He supervised the
Armourer, the Gunners Mate and the Yeoman of the Power room.
The Boatswain, bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun, was the warrant officer of the deck
department. As deck crew foreman, the boatswain planned the day's work and
assigned tasks to the deck crew. As work was completed, the boatswain checked the
completed work was done correctly. He supervised the Ropemaker, the
Boatswain's Mate and the Sailmaker. The carpenter was the warrant officer
who was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the wooden components of
the ship. He supervised the Caulker, the Carpenter's Mate and the Master-At-Arms.
= Cockpit mates= Originally, a master's mate was an
experienced petty officer, who assisted the master, but was not in line for
promotion to lieutenant. By the mid-eighteenth century, he was far more
likely to be a superior midshipman, still waiting to pass his examination
for lieutenant or to receive his commission, but taking rather more
responsibility aboard ship. Six master's mates were allowed on a first rate,
three on a third rate, and two on most frigates.
= Senior Petty Officers= A Midshipman was an apprentice officer
who had previously served at least three years as a volunteer, officer's servant
or able seaman, and was roughly equivalent to a present day petty
officer in rank and responsibilities. After serving at least three years as a
midshipman or master's mate, he was eligible to take the examination for
lieutenant. Promotion to lieutenant was not automatic, and many midshipmen took
positions as master's mates for an increase in pay and responsibility
aboard ship. The Clerk was a literate worker who did
administrative work on the ship. The Armourer maintained and repaired the
smaller weapons on the ship. The Caulker maintained and repaired the
caulking of the ship's hull. The Ropemaker made, maintained and
repaired ropes on board. The "Master-at-arms" was a naval rating,
responsible discipline aboard ship, assisted by Corporals.
= Petty Officers= The Yeoman of the Sheets was in charge
of the rope store. Given that the ship was rarely dry inside and the ropes
rotted when wet, preserving the rope was a major problem.
See also Ship transport
References King, Dean. A Sea of Words: Lexicon and
Companion for Patrick O'Brian's Seafaring Tales. Henry Holt. ISBN
0-8050-6615-2. Retrieved 2009-05-19. External links
United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation web
site