AS 1 (Aptitude for Service 1)

Ethics for Seafarers

Activity No. 3
Deck and Engine Department: Area of Responsibility

Name: Daniel P. Oreña BSMT

Direction: Research and familiarize

1. Deck Department
The deck department shall take charge of the following portion of the ship’s duties
:

i. The deck department is responsible for the navigational safety and integrity of the
vessel.
ii. Our deck department must also ensure that all lifesaving and fire fighting equipment
is ready and properly working at all times in accordance with international laws and
regulations that our ships have to abide by.
iii. The deck department is also responsible for the security of the vessel as well as the
overall maintenance of the ships exterior surfaces and open decks.

2. Engine Department
The engine department shall take charge of the following portion of the ship’s duties:

i. The engine department operates, maintains and repairs engines, boilers, pumps,
generators, and other machinery and systems crucial to a vessel’s operation.
ii. Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the propulsion systems and
the support systems for crew, passengers, and cargo.

3. Distinguish the different works of the following Deck Officers, Ratings and Deck
Cadets:

 Captain/Master
The highest officer aboard ship responsible for the safety of the ship, crew and cargo.
The captain oversees all ship operations, keeps ship records and handles accounts. He
takes command of vessel in heavy weather and in crowded or narrow waters. Handles
communications. Receives and implements instructions from home office. The
Captain/Master is legally responsible for the day-today management to ensure that all the
Departments perform legally to the ship’s owner/operator or manager’s requirements.

 Chief Officer/First Mate

The Chief Officer’s primary responsibilities are the vessel’s cargo operations, stability,
and supervising the deck crew. The Chief Officer is responsible for the safety and security
of the ship, as well as the welfare of the crew on board. The Chief Officer typically stands
the 4-8 hours of navigation watch. Additional duties include ensuring good maintenance
of the ship’s hull, cargo gears, accommodations, the lifesaving and firefighting appliances.
The Chief Officer also trains the crew and cadets on various aspects like safety,
firefighting, search and rescue and various other contingencies.
 Second Officer/ Second Mate
In charge of ship navigation with position below Chief Officer and above the Third
Officer. He/She is the third -in-command, after the Master and Chief Officer. The second
officer typically stands to watch from 1200 to 1600 at noon and again from 0000 to 0400
in the nights.

 Third Officer/ Third Mate

The third office generally serves as the ship’s chief safety officer. The Third Officer is next
licensed position on board the vessel, as fourth-in-command.

 Boatswain
The main duties of bosuns revolve in the deck area of the ship. The Bosun is a
member of the deck department and his duty, among others, is to supervise the deck
crew of the vessel. The bosun is also involved, under the purview of the Chief Officer (and
eventually the Master), in the planning, scheduling and assigning of work to the deck
crew on ship. To further simplify his role, a Bosun has to ensure that the lowermost
workers are effective in their duties and that the ship’s officers are able to carry out their
quota of work without constant direct involvement with the crew’s deck work and all
other aspects involving the deck crew.
 Able Seaman
Seaman jobs of an able seaman include standing guard and taking up a duty-post
near the helm (the steering wheel of the ship) along with being an expert in life-
threatening situations and rough weather situations. Able Seaman is required to perform
watchstanding or as a day worker, or even a combination of these roles, according to the
requirement on the ship. They are also required to assist loading and unloading of cargo
as well as help the mooring of the vessel.
 Ordinary Seaman
Upkeep – Painting, cleaning, and polishing of ship brightwork; the collection and
disposal of garbage; maintenance and repair of various types of equipment.Cargo –
Handling ropes and wires; storing and securing of items; assisting with the movement of
cargo on and off the ship. Lookout – Standing watch both in port and at sea.Other Duties
- Assisting with any aspect of the ship's operation and maintenance that the superior
Seamen or Officers feel is necessary.
 Deck Cadet/Apprentice Mate
Assist in the day-today operations and maintenance of the ship. They may help with
preparations prior to departure, navigation, safety and maintenance duties and cargo
related issues. Deck Cadets are found on just about every type of seafaring vessel.

4. Distinguish the different works of the following Engine Officers, ratings, and
Engine Cadets:

 Chief Engineer
The Chief Engineer on a commercial vessel is the official title if someone qualified to
manage and oversee the engine department. The qualification for this position is
colloquially called a “chief’s ticket”. The Chief Engineer is responsible for all operations
and maintenance off all engineering equipment all throughout the ship.

 Second Engineer
The Second Engineer is the officer responsible for supervising the daily maintenance
and operation of the engineering systems. He or she reports directly to the Chief
Engineer. The Second Engineer is second in command in the engine department after the
ship’s Chief Engineer. The person holding this position is typically the busiest engineer on
board 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, and any other equipment not assigned to the third or fourth engineers.

 Third Engineer
Is the junior to the second engineer in the engine department and is usually in
charge of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, condensate, and feed systems. The engineer is
typically in charge of bunkering if the officer holds a valid certificate for the fuel transfer
operations

 Fourth Engineer
The Fourth Engineer is the junior to the third engineer in the engine department. The
most junior marine engineer of the ship is usually responsible for electrical, sewage
treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Depending on usage, this
person usually stands watch. Moreover, the fourth engineer may assist the third officer in
maintaining the lifeboats’ proper operation.

 Motorman
The motorman inspects equipment such as pumps, turbines, distilling plants, and
condensers, and prepares record of condition. The motorman lubricates and maintains
machinery and equipment such as generators, steering systems, lifeboats, and sewage
disposal systems, and also cleans and restores tools and equipment.
 Oiler
An oiler is typically a junior position within the engineering department of a vessel. In
addition to maintaining proper lubrication for the propulsion engine of a ship, the oiler
keeps tabs on the lubrication of other shipboard equipment such as air conditioning,
sewage systems and water pumps. The machinery involved includes motors, blowers, gear
lubrication, compressors and other heavy equipment with moving parts.
 Wiper
A wiper’s responsibilities revolve around keeping the engine room and rest of the
vessel well maintained.Cleaning of the engine room.Maintenance of the working area.
General maintenance of the engine department. Assisting other personnel on the ship in
various tasks. Work as a part of the watch team. Work with ordinary seamen aboard and
assist them in various tasks. To fill in for Qualified Members of Engine Department
(QMED) when need be.
 Machinist/ Fitter
Metal Fitters and Machinists fit and assemble fabricated metal parts into products, set
up machining tools, production machines and textile machines, and operate machining
tools and machines to shape metal stock and castings.
 Engine Cadet
Assist in all engineering related tasks both operational and maintenance. Complete
Cadet Training Record Book tasks and projects in a timely manner and in good order.
Active and positive participant in all safety meetings. Point out unsafe acts or conditions
to everyone on board.

Roldan S. Cabañero
AS 1 Instructor