Merchant marine or merchant navy is a paramilitary profession which is been Govern by ranks and respective duties.
And each of these ranks plays very high roles which carry unique responsibilities and integral to the successful operations. On this article, I will like to explain some of the key ranks and their duties.
When we are talking about ranking in the ship, we have three departments, ie Bridge/ Deck, Steward’s and Engine room.
Deck officers are trained to handle the bridge and deck equipment. Ranks normally start from the third officer, second officer, chief officer, and captain.
The Deck:
Captain
In shipping, the captain is always in charge of the ship in the terms of management level. He sends information to the onshore management. Make sure that all safety measures are been observed, also In charge of navigation.
Chief officer/ chief mate
He is the second in command in the deck department who help captain in cargo handling, and other documentation.
Second Mate
He is helping chief mate in preparing document during loading and discharging and make sure that all safety measures are been observed and give a report to the chief mate who will pass it to the captain.
Third Mate
He is in charge of all safety equipment, to make sure they are in place, updated and also head watch keeping during sailing and at the port. In absent of the 3rd mate, 2nd mate take those responsibilities and give a report to chief mate.
The Engine Room Department:
Fourth engineer, Third engineer, second engineer, and chief engineer.
Chief Engineer
He is the head of engine room department, he makes sure that all safety measures, maintenance of all machinery according to the company PMS are been done, also send engine room reports to the onshore management (if not through captain, can send direct).
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Second Engineer
He is in charge of maintenance of the main engine PMS, and make sure that the third engineer maintains the auxiliaries’ machinery, then he gives reports to the chief engine at the end of the day.
Third Engineer
Is who maintains the Auxiliary engine EMS/ PMS, boiler (if any), and give a report to the second engineer.
Fourth engineer
This is who is in charge of compressor, purifier, bunker and engine room lines. he reports to the third engine or to the second engineer.
Note: the above listed are just the basic duties and the steps or orderly ranking of the seafarers.
Know that in case of the next rank absence; Others most perform th their duties perfectly.
All of the above-listed ranks are all in charge of watch keeping.
But in terms of 3rd mate and 4th engineer, the top ranks (eg: chief engineer and captain) are always on their assistance during sailing.
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