Shipboard Organization
Shipboard Organization
A shipboard organization is similar to the government structure we have in our countries.
Vessels
have worlds of their own. They are like mini kingdoms having a very small
population with each person holding specific duties. The duties vary depending
on the crew’s rank.
20
strong men run a normal seagoing merchant vessel on average. They are divided
into three departments namely Deck, Engine, and Catering. These departments
have various tasks during drills, emergencies, and security duties.
Knowing
the importance of a shipboard organizational plan gives you an overview of the
way a vessel functions.
To
better understand how the chain of command flows on board, one must look at the
vessel’s organizational chart. This chart shows various departments running the
ship including their department heads.
Each
of the crew functions based on the ranks outlined in their job description. The
shipboard organization makes it easy for everyone to identify the degree of
responsibility of every person on board.
Shipboard Organization Structure.
Variations
On
every ship, the overall command goes to the Master. Under him are the three
departments: Deck, Engineering, and Steward or Catering. The chart above best
describes this hierarchy.
However,
there are companies in which the Catering department is under the umbrella of
the Chief Officer.
Not
only that, there are shipboard organizational structures that consider the
Cadet as part of the officers. Others however put him in the lowest rank just
below the Ordinary Seaman or Wipers.
There
are no wrong answers here as each company has a different policy. As long as
the crew runs the ship safely and complies with various rules and regulations,
this should not be a problem.
The Master
On
top of every shipboard organization is the Master. He is the overall
commander having absolute authority on board.
This
absolute authority means he has the overriding decision against the desires of
the company and charterers. Of course, his judgment is always based on the
safety of the vessel her crew, and cargo.
Interchangeably,
he is also called the Captain of the
ship. Even when there are superintendents, shipowners, and inspectors on board,
he still has absolute command.
These
visitors can not interfere with the ship’s operation without permission from
the Captain.
When
there are accidents, incidents, or deficiencies, the Master will be deemed
responsible for it unless he can prove otherwise.
Deck Department
The
Deck department is the unit responsible for navigation, watchkeeping, maintenance
of the ship’s hull, cargo hold preparation, and loading and unloading of
cargoes.
Additionally,
they are also responsible for keeping the lifesaving and fire fighting
equipment in good order.
Mooring,
un-mooring, anchoring, and ballasting operations fall under the care of the
deck department.
Generally,
the deck crew conducts surface maintenance of the deck including its fittings
and equipment.
Chief
Officer
The Chief Officer is the Master’s
second in command. He is the person to take over the control of the ship
whenever the Master is incapacitated.
Sometimes
called the Chief Mate, First Officer, or First Mate, he is primarily
responsible for everything related to cargo operations.
He
is the training manager, garbage manager, rest hours supervisor,
disciplinarian, and job administrator.
Some
ships have three Junior Officers making the Chief Mate a day worker- 8 am to 12
noon, 1 pm to 5 pm. However, there are still ships with only 2 Junior Officers.
Jobs
of Chief Officer
This
makes the Chief Mate a 4 to 8 watchkeeper (AM/ PM) despite the huge jobs he
has.
Second
Officer
Typically
stands at 12 to 4 watch (AM and PM), the Second Officer is also called the
Navigational Officer. From what we see on the organizational chart, he is the
rank below the Chief Mate and just above the Third Officer.
Since
he is the navigational officer, his main duty revolves around the bridge. He is
in charge of fixing the voyage plans, chart corrections, and publication
updates.
More
importantly, he makes sure that all navigational instruments and light signals
are working and tested regularly.
The
duty of a second mate includes cargo operations, ballasting operations, and mooring/ unmooring of
the ship. On some ships, he is also designated as the Ship Security Officer
(SSO).
Third
Officer
A
Third Mate’s watch is from 8 to 12 (AM-PM). He is usually the safety officer on
board. This means that his duty involves the care and maintenance of all
lifesaving and firefighting equipment.
Whenever
there are on-signers, the third Mate is in charge of their familiarization. He
gives them a tour of all the safety and fire fighting equipment once
on board.
In
cooperation with the Chief Mate, his duty also includes updating the Muster
list and assigning the crew’s duties and responsibilities during emergencies.
Like
the second officer, his job also involves cargo operations, ballasting
operations, and mooring/ unmooring of the ship.
Bosun
(Boatswain)
The Bosun is the head of the unlicensed deck
department. With direct supervision from the Chief Officer, his main duty is to
keep good maintenance of the ship’s hull.
The
Bosun’s job revolves around the deck area. After getting the job order of the
day from the Chief Mate, he usually delegates the tasks to the deck crew.
He
then switches to supervision mode while performing some work that he can manage
himself.
The
Bosun works closely with the Chief Mate. We mentioned that the Chief Officer is
also the garbage manager and disciplinarian. Well, that job is designated to
the Boatswain too.
Though
the Chief Mate is the head of deck maintenance, the hands and feet are the deck
crew. The Bosun heads the nitty-gritty stuff on deck together with the ratings.
Pumpman
You
can find the rank of a Pumpman in tanker ships. Sometimes, his salary is
equivalent to that of a Bosun.
A
Pumpman assists the Chief Officer during loading, discharging, and crude oil
washing. Additionally, his duty also involves assisting in ballasting,
de-ballasting, inerting, purging, gas-freeing, and tank washing.
His
responsibilities revolve around the deck area with the cooperation of Bosun and
other deck crew.
However,
he’s mainly focused on the maintenance of cargo equipment, PV valves, IG
valves, deck seal, tank gauging equipment, and connecting/ disconnecting of
cargo hoses.
Able-bodies
Seaman (AB)
The
ABs are usually the ones steering the vessel during pilotage. They
are either watchkeepers or day workers. As watchkeepers, they are partnered
with the deck officers respectively.
They
are the ones doing all the maintenance jobs on deck like chipping, buffing,
painting, washing, and greasing. Together with the Bosun, they do the
nitty-gritty jobs like climbing and entry into enclosed spaces.
During
cargo operations, they are the eyes and ears of the officers in the deck area.
Their duties include checking the cargo lines for leaks, tendering the mooring
lines, and watching the gangway.
Ordinary
Seaman (OS)
An
Ordinary Seaman is an entry-level rank in the deck department. His duty is very
much like the ABs. However, he requires much supervision, especially the new
ones. Hence, he normally works with an experienced AB.
An
ordinary seaman is not allowed to steer the ship even if they have the
necessary certificates. He is also not permitted to perform working aloft and
tank entries.
However,
he is permitted to do those things with the direct supervision of a responsible
crew or an officer.
His
main duty is assisting the ABs while learning about the job so they can be
ready to get a promotion.
Deck Cadet
On
some shipboard organizations, the Deck Cadet is positioned just
before the Third Officer. However, some organizational charts place him at the
bottom of every department either deck or engine.
A
Deck Cadet’s duties depend on the culture of the ship. On some vessels, he
spends his time mostly on deck doing maintenance together with the ratings.
Meanwhile,
some ships assign deck cadets only on the bridge. Still, a few follow the
program laid out in their Training Record Book.
The
main duty of a Cadet is training. He must learn the different jobs on board. He
can achieve this through immersion.
Therefore,
his training supervisor assigns him together with the officers. Additionally,
he also sends him to the Pumpman and Bosun to get an overview of the various
jobs on deck.
Engine Department
The
engineering department is the term used referring to the crew working
below deck or inside the engine room.
A
ship is equipped with various machines, electrical equipment, and a propulsion
system. It is the engine crew’s job to keep them running and in good working
order.
Their
work includes inspection, maintenance, and repair of all machinery. These
include the main engine which is the heart
of the ship.
Additionally,
they are also in charge of power generators, emergency generators, air-conditioning plants,
sewage systems, water distillation units, lighting, and electrical fixtures,
and cooling units.
We
can categorize the Engine Department into two: the licensed members called the
marine engineers and the unlicensed crew called engine ratings.
Chief
Engineer (C/E)
The
head of the shipboard engineering department is the Chief Engineer (C/E). He is
overall in charge of engine room safety, machinery operation, maintenance,
bunkering, and technical administration.
Specifically,
he pays very much attention to the paperwork, checklists, and managerial tasks
within his departments. He answers directly to the Captain.
Additionally,
he is responsible that the Engineers make proper entries into the Oil Record
Book and Engine Log Book.
The
Chief Engineer also monitors the fuel and lube oil consumption. This means that
the machinery in operation must achieve good and safe performance with
economical consumption.
Second
Engineer (2/E)
Sometimes
called First Assistant Engineer (1AE), the Second Engineer is the rank
below Chief Engineer. He is the Executive Officer of the ship’s Engine
Department.
Since
the Chief Engineer is buried with paperwork, the Second Engineer does the
planning, scheduling, delegating, and directing of the maintenance plan inside
the engine room.
Of
course, those jobs must be in consultation with the Chief Engineer.
The
3rd Engineer is responsible to the Second
Engineer for normal maintenance and watchkeeping duties. In other ships, he is
also called Second Assistant Engineer (2AE).
He
is responsible for the general maintenance of the machinery and equipment.
Under the supervision of the 2nd Engineer,
he ensures that there are sufficient bunkers in the day tanks.
Additionally,
his work includes the upkeep of the main proportion, engines, boilers, and
diesel generators as per the Planned Maintenance System (PMS).
Fourth
Engineer (4/E)
A 4th Engineer’s job includes studying and practicing
the 3rd Engr.’s duties. His day starts with a toolbox
meeting with the other engineers and crew. The Second Engineer normally gives
him the job for the day.
As
the lowest engineer ranking on board, some of his duties include the
maintenance of purifiers, air compressors, sewage treatment, and general
maintenance.
His
responsibilities may overlap or interchange with the other engineers due to
different company regulations.
In
some ships without an electrician, he is also in charge of electrical fixtures,
water systems, and the sounding of bilges and tanks.
Electrician
or Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)
The
Electrician is one of the most vital technical ranks on board. Since automation
mostly runs a ship, an ETO plays a major role in keeping them running at all
times.
In
the vessel’s organizational hierarchy, the electrician reports directly to the
Chief Engineer. He normally does not have a watch but is a day worker and can
be called at any time.
He
also works in the deck department, especially with the Chief Officer.
An
ETO’s job includes UMS test schedules, alarm tests (fire, smoke, heat), battery
checks, and refrigeration and air-conditioning units.
But
that’s not all. Nearly all sorts of electronics and electrical problems even
those found inside the bridge a jobs for an electrician.
Fitter
A
Fitter’s job on board is well, fitting a ship. But that’s too broad and too
narrow at the same time. Fitters are highly skilled workers and are usually
found inside the engine workshop.
They
are strong and adept at using various measuring tools and cutting tools.
Their
expertise includes riveting, grinding, welding, drilling, and the use of lathe
machines. They are very good at assembling, disassembling, reassembling, and
building new parts of a machine.
Fitters
are under the direct supervision of the Second Engineer which means that’s
where he gets his jobs. Some of their jobs include repairs of piping systems,
plumbing, fitting, and hot works. They also help the engineers maintain their
machinery.
Motorman/
Oiler
A
Motorman or Oiler’s job includes inspection and maintenance of pumps, motors,
turbines, and condensers on board. His care for this equipment involves
greasing, lubricating, de-rusting, and painting if necessary.
He
keeps a record of his tasks and is directly responsible for the Second
Engineer. Like the rest of the deck ratings, he also helps make the engine room
clean and in good order. On some ships, his responsibility includes sounding
bilges and bunker tanks.
Both
the Oiler and Motorman take part in bunkering operations.
Wiper
The
Wiper is the Ordinary Seaman’s counterpart in the engine room. His job mainly
supports those ranks above him.
On
most occasions, he is in charge of the general cleanliness of the engine room,
engine workshop, and engine control room.
He
can be seen assisting the engineers in cleaning the purifiers, dismantling
motors, and doing routine maintenance.
Wipers
must study and learn the jobs of Oilers, Motormen, and Fitters. With enough
knowledge and experience, he can be promoted to those levels.
Engine
Cadet
Like
the Deck Cadet, an Engine Cadet’s duty is mainly to learn the different jobs in
the Engine department. The Second Engineer normally supervises his training
scheme.
Because
of the various jobs in the engine room, he is normally paired with the
Engineers, electricians, and even the ratings.
A
cadet must absorb the learning he encounters in his work. He is a trainee to
become an engineer even though his rank is below the engine department’s
organizational diagram.
Steward Department
In
most merchant vessels, the Steward department
comprises the smallest number of crew in the shipboard organization.
But
that doesn’t mean they’re less important. In fact, the Steward Department is
the “backbone” of the organizational structure. Let’s
take a look at what they do.
Sometimes,
they are also called the Galley Catering Department. Their main job is to
prepare meals for the crew. Not just ordinary meals but delicious and healthy
ones.
The
Messroom is the only place where all the crew is usually gathered. A tasty meal
after a hard day’s job often gets the crew inspired for the next day.
Dining in the Mess hall
Chief
Steward
A
chief steward is the highest-ranking member of the galley department. He
directs and supervises the planning and preparation of meals. Moreover, he is
responsible for cost control and requisition of provisions.
Chief Cook
Some
ships employ only a chief steward or chief cook but the same person performs
both the job of the cook and steward. This scheme is usually part of a
cost-cutting strategy, especially on merchant ships where the crew is only
small.
A
Chief Cook’s job is to prepare and cook the meals for the crew. He maintains
the cleanliness and orderliness inside the galley and the provision room.
His
duty also overlaps with the Chief Steward. He also bakes bread and cakes for
the crew.
Messman
While
the Officers and Engineers are busy with their work, the Messman is the guy in
charge of cleaning their cabins.
His
area of expertise is inside the Mess hall where he keeps it clean and orderly.
Before meals, he sets the table prepares the plates, utensils, and chairs, and
ensures that the ketchup is not empty.
He
is also in charge of washing the dishes and filling the fridge with milk,
juice, yogurt, bread, and other beverages that the crew needs.
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