shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the crew structure on board merchant vessels?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the crew structure on board merchant vessels?

by Joshua
March 15, 2021
in Maritime Education

Life on board of a vessel is very different from any other shore based jobs or organization. Each crew member has a precise rank and carries certain responsibilities in order to maintain the vessel operations successful.

Mainly, the vessel’s crew has two types of seafarers: officers and ratings. Both these types of crew members have the capacity to work either on deck or in the engine room.

The Deck crew is in charge with the vessel navigation, watch keeping, maintaining the ship’s hull, cargo, gear and accommodation, taking care of the ship’s life-saving and fire-fighting appliances. The deck department is also the one in charge with receiving, discharging and caring for cargo.

According to the vessel’s hierarchy, the deck officers are as follows: Master, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer and Deck Cadet (deck officer to be).

The supreme authority on board a merchant vessel is the Master. The entire crew is under his command. He is responsible for the safety, use and maintenance of the vessel and makes sure that every crew member carries out his work accordingly. He is also in charge of the following: payroll, ship’s accounting, inventories, custom and immigration regulations, and the ship’s documentation. In order to become Master, a seafarer must first have several years of experience as a deck officer and as Chief Officer.

According to the vessel’s hierarchy, the first deck officer and the head of the deck department after the Master is the Chief Officer or Chief Mate. He is in charge with the vessel navigation, watch duties, charging and discharging operations. The Chief Officer also directs all the other officers on deck, creates and posts watch assignments and implements the Master’s orders in order to maintain safe operations and maintenance of the vessel.

Second Officer or Second Mate is the next in rank after the Chief Mate and is the ship’s navigator, focusing on creating the ship’s passage plans and keeping charts and publications up to date. Apart from watch keeping, the Second Officer may also be designated to train the cadets on board or to fulfill the rank of security, safety, environmental or medical officer.

The Third Officer or Third Mate is the fourth deck officer in command and is usually the Ship’s Safety Officer, responsible with ensuring the good functioning of the fire-fighting equipment and life-saving appliances. He undertakes bridge watches and learns how to become a Second Officer.

A Cadet on board a merchant vessel receives structured training and experience on board and learns how to become a deck officer.

Apart from the officers, the deck department crew also consists of ratings, such as AB (Able Body Seaman), OS (Ordinary Seaman) and Boatswain.

The AB is part of the deck crew and has duties such as: taking watches, steering the vessel, assisting the Officer on watch, mooring and unmooring the vessel, deck maintenance and cleaning. The AB also secures and un-secures the cargo and carries our deck and accommodation patrols.

OS is the crew member whose main duty is to maintain the cleanliness of the whole ship and serves as assistant for the AB. Being an OS is considered to be an apprenticeship, a period called “sea time” in order to be allowed to take courses and training for AB.

Both AB and OS are usually supervised by a Boatswain, who is also a rating, in charge with examining the cargo-handling gear and lifesaving equipment as well. The Boatswain usually holds an AB certificate as well.

The structure for the deck department on board merchant vessels is mainly the same on all vessel types


Related Posts

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who is the Ship Master?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who is the Ship Master?

June 30, 2025
Merchant Navy Labels Inability to Issue Class 1 & 2 Certificates as ‘National Harassment’

Day Of Seafarer: Indigenous Shipowners Bullying, Harassing Nigerian Seafarers — NMNOWTSSA

June 30, 2025
SHIPTALK: The Speed of a Ship at Sea

SHIPTALK: The Speed of a Ship at Sea

June 16, 2025
QUESTION OF THE WEEK : What Are The Shipping Terms Every International Shipper Should Know

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: DID YOU KNOW?

June 16, 2025

Discussion about this post

Latest News

NPA Berths First Wholly Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel, MV Ocean Dragon

NPA Berths First Wholly Nigerian-Owned Container Vessel, MV Ocean Dragon

July 5, 2025

NRC Resumes Train Services On Kano-Minna Route Before Dec. – MD

Seme Customs Engages Media, Opinion Leader, to Strengthen National Security

Oyetola Pushes Maritime Revolution at TAAM 7.0, Unveils Innovation-Driven Reform Plan

Nigeria Maintains Zero Piracy In 3 Years-Oyetola

Tin Can Customs Rakes In ₦747bn In 6 Months

Customs Intercepts 2,693 Parcels Of Hemp In Ogun

NRC To Restore Offa Train Service Before End Of 2025 – Opeifa

Customs CG Honoured by Officers as Chairperson of the WCO Council

Customs CG Donates 13 Vehicles To Customs Idiroko Command

Apapa Customs Seals Three Bonded Terminals, Seizes 27 Containers in Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

Clarion Shipping Unveils Nigeria’s First Indigenous Container Vessel, Targets West African, China-Nigeria Trade Routes

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver The liver is a vital organ located in the right upper abdomen, playing a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion. It’s the largest solid organ in the body and is responsible for filtering blood, maintaining blood sugar levels, regulating clotting, and synthesizing essential proteins. The liver also stores energy, removes toxins, and produces bile, which aids in digestion Liver functions: · Metabolism and Detoxification: The liver processes nutrients from the blood, breaks down and balances them, and creates essential substances for the body. It detoxifies harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, converting them into less toxic forms for excretion. The liver plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It stores glycogen (a form of glucose) and vitamins, releasing them when the body needs them. · Digestion: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help digest fats. Bile also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. · Blood Regulation: The liver regulates blood sugar levels by storing and releasing glucose. It synthesizes clotting factors, which are essential for blood clotting. It removes old red blood cells and processes bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. · Other Functions: The liver plays a role in immunity, helping to fight off infections. It produces proteins that are involved in the immune response. The liver also stores iron and other essential minerals. Frequently Asked Questions About The Liver · What are the first signs of a bad liver? The initial signs of liver problems can be vague and subtle, often including fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. As the liver’s condition worsens, more specific symptoms may emerge, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchy skin, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, can also indicate liver issues. · Where do you feel liver pain? Liver pain is typically felt in the upper right abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. It can manifest as a dull, throbbing pain, a stabbing sensation, or a general feeling of discomfort in that area. In some cases, liver pain might be felt as an ache in the right shoulder or back. · What does liver pain feel like? How liver pain feels can vary from person to person, depending on the cause. However, most people often develop one or more of the following symptoms: Dull, persistent aches in the upper abdomen A feeling of fullness or bloating Sharp, stabbing pains that come and go Tenderness when the upper abdomen is touched · What is the best way to cleanse your liver? If you haven’t been working out, start indulging in a regular exercise regime to allow the toxins to come out of your body. Yoga, going running, hitting the gym, or a simple sauna session can also prove effective. If you want a natural liver cleanse, sweating is the way to go. · How to know if the liver is swollen? What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver? You likely won’t notice an enlarged liver on your own. In some severe cases, you might notice a feeling of bloating or fullness in your belly or an ache in your upper right abdomen. · What is the best drink to flush your liver? Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. Lemons are high in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition