Crew Roles and Routines

Unit 2
 Seafarer's professions
Seafaring is a tradition that encompasses a
variety of professions and ranks. Each of
these roles carries unique responsibilities that
are integral to the successful operation of a
seafaring vessel. A ship's crew can generally
be divided into four main categories: the deck
department, the engineering department, the
steward's department, and other. The
reasoning behind this is that a ship's bridge,
filled with sophisticated navigational
equipment, requires skills differing from those
used on deck operations – such as berthing,
cargo and/or military devices – which in turn
requires skills different from those used in a
ship's engine room and propulsion, and so on.
It is said that:

Sailing is teamwork,
so it needs different
ranks to carry out
specific duties.

Do you agree? Why?

The "ranks" that make up the ship's team
• Master • Electrician
• Chief Mate (also called Chief Officer) • Boatswain (also called Bosun /Deck
Foreman)
• Second Mate (also called Second Officer)
• Pump Man
• Third Mate (also called Third Officer)
• Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) (also called
• Deck Cadet Quartermaster),
• Chief Engineer • Ordinary Seaman (OS)
• Second Engineer • Fitter
• Third Engineer • Oiler
• Fourth Engineer • Wiper (also called Motorman)
• Engine Cadet • Chief Cook and Steward
Even though the crew list includes the A ship, to be seaworthy, must be
Master's name, a ship's team is often called sufficiently manned to enable its safe
Master and Crew, because the Master is operation. The requirements for safe
considered the owner's representative, and manning are contained in the STCW
not strictly part of the crew.
95 (VIII) regulations, and are stated by
In olden days when ships used sails there the Flag state as well. Let us see
were no Marine Engineers onboard; when about these ranks and their
power-driven vessels were introduced, these responsibilities.
ranks were added. Nowadays shipping
involves modern electronic equipment and
machinery; a ship with its cargo is almost like
a moving factory. Two decades ago ships had
STCW 95
some other ranks, such as Radio Officer,
Carpenter, Store Keeper, SecondCook,
Second Steward, and Purser, but nowadays
(VIII)
these ranks hardly exist.
regulations
PART 1 - CERTIFICATION 1
1 The officer in charge of the navigational or deck watch shall be duly
qualified in accordance with the provisions of chapter II, or chapter VII
appropriate to the duties related to navigational or deck watchkeeping.
2 The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall be duly qualified in
accordance with the provisions of chapter III, or chapter VII appropriate to the
duties related to engineering watchkeeping.
MASTER
The Master is the person holding the Deck Class I certificate of competency
(COC). He is the commanding person of the ship and the highest ranked Deck
Officer.
People say that if the ship is an island, the Master is king of that island. That
doesn’t mean that if he tells the crew to jump into the sea, they will do it.
Neverthless, the Master has power over other ranks, and can dismiss any crew
member from the ship under reasonable circumstances. A good Master will
always care about the safety of his crew more than anything else; if it comes to
the ship or someone's life, it is always the person’s life.
 The duties and responsibilities of the Master
are as follows:
1. Overall, in charge of the safety of the crew, ship, and
cargo. 7. Arranges for provisions, stores, fuel (bunkers) (under
the Chief Engineer`s guidance), garbage disposal, shore
2. Commands the ship. He should be present on the passes, salary particulars and cash advances.
bridge while arriving at and leaving ports, in shallow
waters, during reduced visibility, during any equipment 8. In port, deals with port authorities, immigration
malfunctions, when other navigation officers are unable authorities, customs authorities, and narcotics
to handle the ship during heavy traffic, and during any authorities.
emergency or abnormal situation.
9. Assists any other vessel in an emergency.
3. Implements law and order onboard ship.
10. Trains the crew and conducts drills.
4. Signs bill of lading for cargo. 11. Serves as contact person for communication with the
office.
5. Though the Chief Engineer is in charge of the engine
room, the engines are at the Master’s disposal. 12. If the ship is abandoned in an emergency, the verbal
order has to be given by the Master.
6. Takes disciplinary actions against any crew member,
although if the crew member is from the Engine 13. The Master’s decision is final. Whether right or wrong,
Department, the Chief Engineer is to be consulted as the crew has to stick to it at that particular moment.
well.
CHIEF
MATE
The Chief Officer holds a Deck Class II certificate of competency. He may hold the Class I COC as well.
With further experience or exams he will become a master.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Loads and discharges the cargo: prepares loading and discharging plans for cargo.
2. At sea, his bridge watches are 0400AM-0800 PM and 1600PM-2000 PM.
3. In charge of the Deck and all Deck ratings, Bosun, Pump Man, ABs, OSs, Chief Cook and Steward.
Gives them their daily work schedule.
4. Normally the vessel’s safety officer, though he can delegate his duties regarding safety to the
3rd Mate.
5. Maintenance of the deck and the overhauling of deck machinery.
6. Anchoring the vessel at anchorage.
7. In charge on deck for any emergency, reporting to the Master as appropriate.
8. Makes repair lists and indents.
9. Handles mooring stations.
10. In charge of GMDSS communication.
SECOND
MATE
The Second Mate holds a Deck Class III certificate of competency. He may hold the Class I and Class II COC as
well. With further experience or exams he will become a Chief Mate.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Passage planning: he has to select charts, draw courses and calculate distances.
2. At sea his bridge watches are 0000AM–0400AM and 1200PM–1600 PM.
3. In charge of correcting charts, sailing directions, the list of light and fog signals, radio signals and updating
navigational warnings.
4. Preparing noon reports: reporting the vessel, e.g., AMVER.
5. Testing bridge equipment.
6. Preparing the deck log abstract at the end of each month.
7. In charge of GMDSS communication.
8. Maintaining the ship`s library and publications in order.
9. Assisting the Chief Mate in port while cargo loading and discharging. In port, his duty time is 0000AM-
0600AM and 1200PM-1800 PM.
10. Handling mooring stations.
11. Acting as the Medical Officer
THIRD
MATE
The Third Mate holds a Deck Class III certificate of competency. He may hold the
Class I or Class II COC as well. With further experience he will become a Second Mate.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Maintenance of life-saving equipment and fire-fighting equipment under Safety
Officer`s instruction.
2. At sea his bridge watches are 2000PM-0000AM and 0800AM-1200 PM.
3. Preparing drill reports.
4. Handling port papers on behalf of master.
5. GMDSS communication.
6. Assisting Chief Mate in port while cargo loading and discharging. In port, his duty
time is 0600AM-1200PM and 1800PM-0000AM.
7. Handling mooring stations.
 DECK CADET
The Deck Cadet is a trainee Navigation Officer. He may be a fresher
(a novice) at sea. He has to perform and learn jobs under the Chief
Officer. He does various jobs, from cleaning to navigating ships. The
Deck Cadet must never be used as a cheap labourer by his seniors. He
must be taught and guided.
 CHIEF
ENGINEER
The Chief Engineer holds an Engine Class I Certificate (Unlimited/Foreign going). He
is overall in charge of the engine room and the highest-ranked Engineer Officer.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Gives work orders for the engine room and checks the progress of work. He should
be present in the engine room during major maintenance work, for example piston
overhauling.
2. Performs bunker calculations. The Fourth Engineer helps him in this work.
3. Implements law and order in the engine room.
4. Handles the main engine during critical periods.
5. Supervises most technical jobs; reports to company with Master’s approval.
6. In charge of the engine during any emergency and reporting to the Master as
appropriate.
 SECOND
ENGINEER
The Second Engineer holds an Engine Class II Certificate (Unlimited/Foreign going).
He may hold the Class I COC as well. With further experience or exams he will
become a Chief Engineer.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. The Chief Engineer's assistant: performs most jobs on behalf of the Chief Engineer.
2. In charge of all machinery items: steering gears, pumps, auxiliary machinery and
main engine maintenance.
3. At sea, his engine watches are 0400AM – 0800AM & 1600PM – 2000PM. But
nowadays, because most ships are equipped with the UMS (Unmanned Machinery
Spaces) system, he has to work 0800AM-1700PM.
4. In charge of the engine room and all Engine Ratings, Fitters, Oilers, and Wipers.
Gives them their daily the work schedule.
5. Makes repair lists and indents.
 THIRD
ENGINEER
The Third Engineer has an Engine Class III Certificate (Unlimited/Foreign going). He
may hold the Class I or Class II COC as well. With further experience or exams he will
become a 2nd Engineer.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Operation and maintenance of generators.
2. Operation and maintenance of boilers.
3. Conducting boiler water test and cooling water tests.
4. Operation and maintenance of propulsion machinery cylinder head mountings.
5. At sea, his engine watches are 0000AM – 0400AM & 1200PM – 1600PM. But
nowadays most ships are equipped with UMS (Unmanned Machinery Spaces)
system, so he has to work 0800AM-1700PM.
 FOURTH
ENGINEER
The Fourth Engineer has an Engine Class III Certificate (Unlimited/Foreign going). He may
hold the Class-I and Class II COC as well. With further experience he will become a Third
Engineer.
His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Taking bunkers and assisting the Chief Engineer in bunker calculations.
2. Operation and maintenance of the sewage plant.
3. Operation and maintenance of the incinerator.
4. Operation and maintenance of the oily water separator.
5. Operation and maintenance of the fresh water generator.
6. Operation and Maintenance of the air compressor.
7. Management of sludge and bilge.
8. At sea his engine watches are 0800AM-1200PM & 2000PM-0000AM. But nowadays most
of the ships are equipped with UMS (Unmanned Machinery Spaces) system, so he has to
work 0800AM-1700PM.
 ENGINEE CADET
The Engine Cadet is a trainee engineer officer. He may be a fresher or
novice at sea. He has to perform and learn jobs under the Second
Engineer. He does various jobs from bilge cleaning to operating the
main engine. The Engine Cadet must never be used as a cheap
labourer by his seniors; he must be taught and guided.
 ELECTRICIAN
The Electrician doesn’t hold a Certificate of Competency, but his rank is
equal to that of the Second Mate and Third Engineer. He works under the
Chief Engineer. He performs various jobs related to electricity, from
changing light bulbs to generator repairs. Electricians start as Electrician
Cadets, or they may come from the Navy.
 BOSUN
The Bosun is the deck foreman, or the crew’s spokesman. The senior AB
(Able-Bodied Seaman) will become the Bosun. He will perform various jobs
on deck: wire splicing, mixing paints, cleaning, arranging stores, assisting
the Chief Mate during anchoring, and, most of the time, supervising the
deck ratings. He must bring any problem related to the crew to the Chief
Mate’s concern.
 PUMP MAN
The Pump Man rank exists only on tanker ships. This rank is equal to
Bosun, but most of the time he works independently and takes job
orders directly from the Chief Mate. He plays a major part during
loading and discharging, mainly opening valves as per the Chief
Mate’s instructions, and taking ullages and soundings.
ABLE-BODIED SEAMAN (AB)
The Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) does maintenance work on deck. He
does things like chipping, painting, washing, cleaning, and greasing
equipment. He will also steer the ship and assist the duty officer with
bridge watch. The AB, with experience, can become a Bosun.
ORDINARY SEAMAN (OS)
The Ordinary Seaman (OS) does maintenance work on deck: chipping,
painting, washing, cleaning, and greasing equipment. The difference
between the OS and the AB is that the Ordinary Seaman will not steer the
ship and will not assist the Bridge watch. But with experience, steering
practice, and certified watch-keeping, the Ordinary Seaman can become an
AB.
 FITTER
The Fitter is an expert in welding, grinding, boring and gas cutting.
He operates the lathe machine as well. Most of the time he works in
the engine department under the Second Engineer, but you find
Deck Fitters as Voyage Fitters as well. His rank is equal to Bosun.
 CHIEF COOK
The Chief Cook prepares meals for all personnel onboard. It is a
critical job with a multinational crew, because each person will like
different food & different cooking style. Most of the time food will be
prepared to suit the majority crew’s nationality style, but the
nationality of the Master and the senior officers also plays a major
part. The Chief Cook must be able to write English and know different
menus and the names of food items. He helps the Master order
provisions. His rank is equal to Bosun.
 STEWARD
The Steward is the Chief Cook’s assistant. He helps the Chief Cook
with cooking, especially by cleaning and cutting vegetables. He must
serve food for all officers and should be present in the officer’s mess
during meal times. He has to wash all plates and cutlery. He cleans
officers' cabins and washes linen. His rank is equal to OS.
What is the purpose of the posting?
a. to explain the benefits of a career in
merchant navy
b. to list available positions for a ship's
crew
c. to describe examination requirements
for shipping crews
d. to compare cruise ship and cargo ship
jobs
Which of the following is NOT a duty of the
chief steward?
e. order supplies
f. supervise the galley
g. oversee the wiper
h. supervise the chief cook
What can you infer about a ship's crew
members?
i. an AB is ranked above an OS
j. the chief cook is ranked above the chief
steward
k. the steward's assistant orders supplies
for the galley
l. the chief steward is in charge of the
boatswain
 Match the words or phrases with the definitions (A-F).
steward’s assistant- maintenance - steward’s department – watchstander - chief steward - chief cook

CHIEF COOK
A the person who supervises meal preparation ______________
B the station responsible for meals and housekeeping _______________
STEWARD’S DEPARTMENT
C a crew member who keeps watch ______________
WATCHSTANDER
D the person who directs personnel in the steward's department
______________
CHIEF STEWARD
E an entry-level person in the steward's department ______________
STEWARD’S ASSISTANT

F the act or process of keeping something in working condition

______________
MAINTENANCE
 Read the sentence pairs
Choose which term best fits each blank

Wiper - boatswain
1. A) The ____________
WIPER cleans and maintains the engine room.
2. B) A _______________
BOATSWAIN is in charge of the deck crew.

OS - AB
OS
3. A) A sailor with no experience starts as an __________.
4. B) Becoming an _________
AB requires passing an exam and many hours
at sea.
 Listen to a conversation between an interviewer
and an applicant
Mark the following statements as True or False.
1. The woman was on a ship out of Panama. True/False
2. The man is an OS. True/False
3 .The man has taken the watchstanding exam. True/False
TELL ______________
Interviewer: Please 1) ____________ ME about your shipping experience, Mr.
Wales.
SPEND
Applicant: I just advanced to Able Seaman-Special. I 2) ____________ TWELVE MONTHS on a
______________
bulk ship out of Panama.
Interviewer: Congratulations. When did you take the AB certification exam?
I
Applicant: 3) ____________ TOOK
______________ the exam in August, and received my certificate
last month.
COULD
Interviewer: Great. 4) ____________ YOU
______________ please describe your duties as an OS?
Applicant: I mostly performed maintenance and cleaning duties 5) ____________
ON
THE
______________ deck.
TO
Interviewer: Did you get any other training you'd like 6) ____________ TALK
______________ about?
Applicant: I passed the watchstanding exam in June.
 Match the words or phrases with the definitions (A-F).
second engineer – captain - mate - chief officer - deck department - chief engineer

A. name for a position that requires a license or other qualifications and training
MATE
B. the group of crew members responsible for watchkeeping and for
maintenance of the ship's hull, lifesaving and firefighting gear, cargo gear,
DECK DEPARTMENT
and accommodations
C. the crew member who oversees a ship's deck department and acts as
CHIEF OFFICER
second-in-command after the captain
D. the crew member responsible for day-to-day operations and maintenance of
SECOND ENGINEER
the engineering department CHIEF ENGINEER
E. the highest ranked member of the engineering department
F. a ship's highest ranked officer, responsible for the ship on behalf of its owner
CAPTAIN
 ROLE PLAY

Student A:
You are an interviewer for a shipping position. Talk to Student B about:
• what experience he or she has
• how much time he or she spent on a job
• training he or she received

Student B: You are a job applicant. Talk to Student A about your past
experience.