Seafarer's professions and ranks

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. A ship's crew can generally be divided into four main categories: the deck department, the engineering department, the steward's department, and other.

Modern ship's complement

Captain/Master

Main article: Captain (nautical)

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.

Deck department

Chief officer/chief mate

Main article: Chief Mate

Epaulettes worn by the Chief Officer on merchant ships (similar to those worn by a commander in the commonwealth navies)

The chief officer (often called the chief mate in the United States) 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. 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.

Second officer/second mate

Main article: Second mate

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 as third-in-command. 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 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.^{[citation needed]}

Third officer/third mate

Main article: Third mate

The third officer (or third mate) of a merchant vessal is primarily charged the safety of the ship and crew. The third mate is the next license position onboard the vessal, being fourth-in-command after the captain, first/chief mate, and second mate. The third mate tends to take the 0800 to 1200 watch.

Boatswain

Main article: Boatswain

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.^{[citation needed]}

Able seaman

Main article: 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Ordinary seaman

Main article: Ordinary seaman

In the United States 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 cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Additionally, the OS secures cargo, as well as launches and recovers boats. The OS may rig and operate hydrographic and other specialty winches; handle and stow oceanographic explosives; and stage and stow beach support equipment.^[1]

Engineering department

Chief engineer

Main article: 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", "Cheng", or just "Chief" is responsible for all operations and maintenance that have to do with all engineering equipment throughout the ship.^{[citation needed]}

Second engineer/first assistant engineer

Main article: 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.

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. 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.^{[citation needed]}

Third engineer/second assistant engineer

Main article: 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.^{[citation needed]}

Fourth engineer/third assistant engineer

Main article: 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", "The Fourth" or "Pourth" - (if sailing with Filipino crew), 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.^{[citation needed]}

Engineering cadet

An unqualified, unticketed, trainee engineer officer. Normally reports to the second engineer. Their role as trainee is to observe and learn, while helping out where possible. As they have no 'ticket' a cadet can not hold a watch, but will likely assist one of the qualified engineers with their watch. Typical duties are limited to preparing the tea and coffee at breaks ('smokos') for the engineering team. The Engine Cadets epaulette is purple, as with the other engineers, however has only one gold horizontal strip (UK system).

Steward's department

Chief steward

Main article: Chief steward

The chief steward^[2] 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 crew members.^{[citation needed]}

Chief cook

Main article: Chief cook

The chief cook is a senior unlicensed crew member working in the Steward's department of a ship.^{[citation needed]}

The chief cook^{[2][Full citation needed]} 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.

See also

Nautical portal

• Ship transport

References

1. ^ "Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations: 47040 SEAMAN". dol.gov. http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/wage/p47040.htm. Retrieved March 3, 2007. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ ^{a b} "Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations: 47340 CHIEF COOK/STEWARD". dol.gov. http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/wage/p47340.htm. Retrieved March 3, 2007. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation web site