Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    qingdao cleaning up of enteromorpha

    Navigation issues in Qingdao waters due to cleaning up of Enteromorpha

    amsa compliance focus

    AMSA to enhance compliance focus for 2022-23

    imca lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Lift planning procedures must always be reviewed

    ifc piracy

    Infographic: 3 incidents against ships in Singapore Strait

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    bv net zero initiative

    Bureau Veritas contributes to Net Zero Initiative

    world lng report

    World LNG Report 2022

    feport evasive calls

    FEPORT supports EU efforts to address evasive port calls, but stresses need for additional action

    iaph esi

    IAPH: Vessels with ESI score above 20 increased

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    sweden ai search and rescue

    Sweden uses AI to improve search and rescue operations

    maersk tankers

    Maersk Tankers launches new tool to help ships track their emissions

    mayflower autonomous ship

    Mayflower Autonomous Ship completes transatlantic voyage

    k line ai

    K Line to use AI to protect cyber security of ship-shore communication

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    Cargo Vessel Allegedly Carrying Stolen Ukrainian Grain

    Windward: Cargo ship allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain potential indicator of “more brazen Russia”

    paris mou

    2021 Paris MoU Annual Report

    one misdeclared cargo

    ONE to implement penalty fee for misdeclared cargo

    master first officer fined

    Master, First Officer to pay $75,000 for compliance breach in Great Barrier Reef

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    imo voyage together

    Korea donates $2M to IMO for its “Voyage Together” fund

    Novorossiysk terminal

    Russian court decided to temporarily close Novorossiysk terminal

    most expensive ports

    Top 5 most expensive ports globally all located in the US

    clausing bill of lading

    Swedish Club published guide for the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading

  • Columns
    UK Chamber of Shipping: Electrification will play a key role in the industry’s decarbonization

    UK Chamber of Shipping: Electrification will play a key role in the industry’s decarbonization

    fire onboard

    Examining Ro-Ro/-Pax, PCTC fires

    IMO: Digitalization paves the way for smarter and greener shipping

    IMO: Digitalization paves the way for smarter and greener shipping

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    qingdao cleaning up of enteromorpha

    Navigation issues in Qingdao waters due to cleaning up of Enteromorpha

    amsa compliance focus

    AMSA to enhance compliance focus for 2022-23

    imca lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Lift planning procedures must always be reviewed

    ifc piracy

    Infographic: 3 incidents against ships in Singapore Strait

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    bv net zero initiative

    Bureau Veritas contributes to Net Zero Initiative

    world lng report

    World LNG Report 2022

    feport evasive calls

    FEPORT supports EU efforts to address evasive port calls, but stresses need for additional action

    iaph esi

    IAPH: Vessels with ESI score above 20 increased

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    sweden ai search and rescue

    Sweden uses AI to improve search and rescue operations

    maersk tankers

    Maersk Tankers launches new tool to help ships track their emissions

    mayflower autonomous ship

    Mayflower Autonomous Ship completes transatlantic voyage

    k line ai

    K Line to use AI to protect cyber security of ship-shore communication

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    Cargo Vessel Allegedly Carrying Stolen Ukrainian Grain

    Windward: Cargo ship allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain potential indicator of “more brazen Russia”

    paris mou

    2021 Paris MoU Annual Report

    one misdeclared cargo

    ONE to implement penalty fee for misdeclared cargo

    master first officer fined

    Master, First Officer to pay $75,000 for compliance breach in Great Barrier Reef

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    imo voyage together

    Korea donates $2M to IMO for its “Voyage Together” fund

    Novorossiysk terminal

    Russian court decided to temporarily close Novorossiysk terminal

    most expensive ports

    Top 5 most expensive ports globally all located in the US

    clausing bill of lading

    Swedish Club published guide for the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading

  • Columns
    UK Chamber of Shipping: Electrification will play a key role in the industry’s decarbonization

    UK Chamber of Shipping: Electrification will play a key role in the industry’s decarbonization

    fire onboard

    Examining Ro-Ro/-Pax, PCTC fires

    IMO: Digitalization paves the way for smarter and greener shipping

    IMO: Digitalization paves the way for smarter and greener shipping

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Do you know how many ranks and duties exist onboard? 

by The Editorial Team
December 20, 2019
in Maritime Knowledge
master alternative quay

Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Seafaring is a profession that requires ranks and duties to be specific, so that everyone onboard will know what to do, as several procedures have to be conducted at the same time; Thus, each one of these roles carries unique responsibilities which are crucial for the successful operation of a vessel.

Specifically, the ranks on a vessel are divided into three categories:

  1. the deck department
  2. the engineering department
  3. the steward’s / catering department

In 1978, IMO adopted a landmark Convention for all seafarers across the world to establish high standards of competence and professionalism in their duties on-board. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, the STCW Convention in brief, establishes the minimum basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

Deck department

RelatedNews

Modern problems affecting crew welfare and the way forward

How oil majors threaten climate targets

Captain: The captain or master is the ship’s highest responsible officer, acting on behalf of the shipowner. He/she is responsible for all operations onboard.

Chief mate: The head of the deck department on a merchant vessel, second-in-command after the ship’s Master. This position is responsible for cargo operations, the vessel’s stability, the deck crew and the safety and security of the vessel. The chief mate is the one to train the crew and cadets on various operations, such as safety, firefighting, search and rescue, and various other contingencies.

Second mate: The one that holds this position is a qualified Officer in Charge for Navigational Watch (OICNW), responsible for directing the bridge and navigating the ship. The second mate is the third most experienced deck department officer after the Captain/Master and Chief mate. One of their priorities is to update charts and publications, keeping them current, making passage plans, and all aspects of ship navigation. Additional duties include directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing anchor detail and training and instructing crew members.

Third mate: The third officer is responsible for the maintenance of life-saving equipment and fire-fighting equipment under Safety Officer`s instruction. Also, the third mate conducts the drilling operations and handles all the port documents on behalf of the Master.

Deck cadet: Also known as the Trainee Navigational Officer or Nautical Apprentice is an apprentice who must learn the basic duties, comprehend and apply the new skills learned.

Deck cadet ratings

  • Bosun (head of the rating staff)
  • Welder/Fitter (this rank onboard renders his services to both the deck as well as the engine department)
  • Able Bodied Seaman (AB)
  • Ordinary Seaman (OS)
  • Trainee OS

Engineer/Technical Department

Chief engineer: This person is the one overseeing the engine department and gives work orders for the ones operating in the engine room.

Second engineer: This rank is responsible for supervising the daily maintenance and operation of the engine department, directly reporting to the chief engineer.

Third engineer: The third engineer or second assistant engineer is the one dealing with boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, condensate and feed systems, always reporting to the second engineer.

Fourth engineer: The fourth engineer or third assistant engineer is junior to the second assistant engineer/third engineer in the engine department.

Steward’s / catering department

Chief cook: The chief cook is the senior unlicensed crew member working in the steward’s department of a ship. Their duty is to prepare meals regularly for the crew and passengers, inspects the galley and equipment ensuring all cleaning and proper storage operations are in line.

Chief steward: This position is the one handling the catering department, by directing, instructing and assigning personnel for preparing and serving meals. Also, this rank plans the menu, orders the supplies along with the Master.

 

DO YOU KNOW?: Read in this series

icct aleutian islands

Do you know what CII stands for?

June 27, 2022
Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance

Do you know what EU Taxonomy is?

June 27, 2022
fueleu

Do you know what methane slip is?

May 12, 2022
general average

Do you know what General Average means?

May 10, 2022
eunavfor

Do you know where the food you eat comes from?

April 21, 2022
nato v group

Do you know what FOC are?

March 28, 2022
Do you know what the Northern Sea Route is?

Do you know what the Northern Sea Route is?

March 24, 2022
Do you know why a ship’s bow thruster is vital?

Do you know why a ship’s bow thruster is vital?

March 2, 2022
nyk line

Do you know what Poseidon Principles stand for?

February 14, 2022
iumi ig clubs

Do you know why P&I Clubs are vital for shipping?

December 30, 2021
singapore border measures

Do you know what GT and DWT measure in a ship?

November 10, 2021
ship

Do you know what ships apply SOLAS?

October 29, 2021
low draft limits barranquilla

12 nautical terms to know

October 22, 2021
under keel clearance

Do you know what under keel clearance is? 

October 8, 2021
sire 2.0

Do you know how ship propulsion has changed?

June 1, 2021
NATO phonetic alphabet

Do you know what NATO phonetic alphabet is?

November 24, 2020
gmdss

Do you know what GMDSS stands for?

October 22, 2020
us cruise ships

Do you know what cold ironing is?

October 5, 2020
Do you know what the bulbous bow is for?

Do you know what the bulbous bow is for?

February 6, 2020
Ship Security Alert System

Do you know what a Ship Security Alert System is?

January 22, 2020
Authorized Service Providers

Do you know how many types of lifeboats exist?

January 17, 2020
flush the toilet

Do you know what happens after you flush the toilet on a ship?

January 16, 2020
master alternative quay

Do you know how many ranks and duties exist onboard? 

December 20, 2019
types of ships

Do you know how many types of ships exist?

December 4, 2019
bimco world fleet

Do you know why IMO number is important for vessels?

December 3, 2019
solas

Do you know when to abandon a ship?

December 3, 2019
panama neptune declaration

Do you know how to distinguish an Aframax from a Panamax vessel?

November 21, 2019
bunkering

Do you know what a Bunker Delivery Note includes?

November 20, 2019
emissions from ships

Do you know why FONAR is needed from 2020 and onwards?

October 23, 2019
Plimsoll lines

Do you know what Plimsoll lines on ships are?

October 17, 2019
ships are red

Do you know why ships are red on bottom?

October 16, 2019
starboard

Why do ships use ‘port’ and ‘starboard’ and not ‘left’ or ‘right’

August 18, 2019
pandemic seafarers

Inert Gas onboard: Key safety precautions

May 10, 2019
scottish maritime sector

Do you know why is a ship called she?

April 1, 2019
Tags: deck machineryDo you knowMaripediaship bridgesm

Comments 1

  1. Raaj says:
    3 months ago

    Hi, Thanks for the useful article. Could you please comment whether the Chief Cook is treated as a rating or a petty officer?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

bv net zero initiative

Bureau Veritas contributes to Net Zero Initiative

July 6, 2022
qingdao cleaning up of enteromorpha

Navigation issues in Qingdao waters due to cleaning up of Enteromorpha

July 6, 2022
MARITIME EVENTS

Newsletter

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

Explore

  • Safety
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • Events
  • Plus

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Contact

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Alerts
    • Accidents
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Opinions
    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Disclaimer.