Captain

The captain or master is the ship's highest responsible officer, acting on behalf of the ship's owner. Whether
the captain is a member of the deck department or not is a matter of some controversy, and generally
depends on the opinion of an individual captain. When a ship has a third mate, the captain does not stand
watch.

The captain is responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the ship under his command. It is his responsibility to
ensure that all the departments perform to the requirements. Therefore, the heads of the various
departments answer to him. The captain represents the owner and hence is called "master." The captain is
officially not considered to be a crew member, which seems to resolve the controversy mentioned above.

Deck department:
A. Deck officers
Deck officers are licensed mariners that are responsible for the navigation and safe passage of the ship.

1. Chief mate
The chief mate is the head of the deck department on a merchant vessel, second-in-command after the ship's
Master. The Chief mate's primary responsibilities are the vessel's cargo operations, its stability, and
supervising the deck crew. The mate is responsible for the safety and security of the ship, as well as the
welfare of the crew on board. The chief mate typically stands the 4–8 navigation watch as OICNW (officer in-
charge of the navigational watch), directing the bridge team. Some crews have additional Third mates, which
allow the Chief mate to not stand navigational watch, and focus more on cargo and deck operations.
Additional duties include maintenance of the ship's hull, cargo gears, accommodations, life saving appliances
and firefighting appliances. The chief mate also trains the crew and cadets on various aspects like safety,
firefighting, search and rescue, and other contingencies. The chief officer assumes command of the whole
ship in the absence or incapacitation of the master.

2. Second mate
The second mate is a qualified OICNW watch stander, directing the bridge team and navigating the ship. The
Second mate is the 3rd most experienced deck department officer after the Captain/Master and Chief mate.
The Second mate's primary duty is navigational, which includes updating charts and publications, keeping
them current, making passage plans, and all aspects of ship navigation. The Second mate's other duties may
include directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing anchor detail and training and instructing crew
members.

3. Third mate
The Third officer is a qualified OICNW watch-stander, junior to the Second Mate. When on navigational
watch, the Third mate directs the bridge team, maneuvering the vessel, keeping it safe and on track. The
Third mate's primary duty is matters of safety, inspecting gear lockers, lifeboats, and all equipment onboard
ensuring that it is safe and operational. Other duties include directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing
anchor details and training and instructing crew members. He or she is normally the part of the Command
team during emergencies and drills.

4. Deck cadet
A Deck Cadet or Trainee Navigational Officer or Nautical Apprentice is an apprentice who has to learn the
basic duties of a deck officer onboard a ship. Deck cadets after sufficient sea time and exams attain certificate
of competency of OICNW.
 B. Deck ratings
Mariners without a certificate of competence are called ratings. They assist in all other tasks that can arise
during a voyage. This includes for example, mooring, cleaning of the ship and its holds and repairing broken
lines and ropes. These are physically challenging jobs and have to be done regardless of the weather. [2]

1. Boatswain
The boatswain is the highest ranking unlicensed (rating) in the deck department. The boatswain generally
carries out the tasks instructed by the chief mate, directing the able seaman and ordinary seaman. The
boatswain generally does not stand a navigational watch.

2. Able seaman
An able seaman (AB) works under the boatswain, completing tasks such as working mooring lines, operating
deck gear, standing anchor details, and working cargo. An able seaman also stands a navigational watch,
generally as a lookout or helmsman.

3. Ordinary seaman
The lowest ranking personnel in the deck department. An ordinary seaman (OS) generally helps out with
work that able seamen do. Other tasks include standing lookout, and generally cleaning duties.

Engine department
A. Engineering officers
The engineers are also called technical officers. They are responsible for keeping the ship and the machinery
running. Today, ships are complex units that combine a lot of technology within a small space. This includes
not only the engine and the propulsion system, but also, for example, the electrical power supply, devices for
loading and discharging, garbage incineration and fresh water generators. An engineer is commonly
considered a high officer in ranking in the ship. [2]

1. Chief engineer
The chief engineer on a merchant vessel is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the engine
department. The qualification for this position is colloquially called a "Chief's Ticket".

The Chief Engineer, commonly referred to as "The chief", or just "chief", is responsible for all operations and
maintenance that have to do with all machinery and equipment throughout the ship. He may be paid on par
with the captain, and holds a similar rank as the captain.

2. Second engineer
The second engineer or first assistant engineer is the officer responsible for supervising the daily
maintenance and operation of the engine department. He or she reports directly to the chief engineer.

3. Third engineer
The third engineer or second assistant engineer is usually in charge of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines,
condensate and feed systems, and is the third most senior marine engineer on board. Depending on usage,
"the Second" or "the Third" is also typically in charge of fueling (a.k.a. bunkering), granted the officer holds a
valid Person In Charge (PIC) endorsement for fuel transfer operations.
 4. Fourth engineer
The fourth engineer or third assistant engineer is junior to the second assistant engineer/third engineer in
the engine department.

B. Engine ratings / unlicensed

1. Motorman
The motorman is an unlicensed member of the engine department, same requirement with the Oiler both
having the Able Seafarer Engine Certificate STCW A-III/5.

2. Oiler
The oiler is an unlicensed member of the engine department, with more experience than a Wiper and having
the Able Seafarer Engine Certificate STCW A-III/5.

3. Wiper
The wiper is an unlicensed member of the engine department, usually with the least experience and having
the Engine Room Watch Rating (ERWR) Certificate STCW A-III/4.[citation needed]

Electro-technical department
Electro-technical officer
The electro-technical officer sometimes referred to as the electrical engineer is in charge of all the electrical
systems on the ship. The electrical engineer is one of the most vital positions in the technical hierarchy of a
ship and engineer is responsible for their assigned work under the chief engineer’s instructions.

Unlike engineers, the ETO does not carry out an assigned engine room watch. Instead, he is normally on call
24 hours a day and generally works a daily shift carrying out electrical and electronic maintenance, repairs,
installations, and testing.

Some shipping companies do not carry electrical officers on their ship to cut down the manning cost, and the
electrical duties are carried by an engineer. This is usually the third engineer. However, many companies
realized that electrical and electronic system requires some extra attention and therefore require an expert
to attend them. This is especially true on diesel electric ships or vessels equipped with systems such as
dynamic positioning

Steward's department
Chief cook
The chief cook is the senior unlicensed crew member working in the steward's department of a ship. His
position corresponds to that of the Boatswain in the deck department, the pump man in an oil tanker, and
the electrician (but not ETO) in the engine department of a container ship or general cargo ship. He is the
equivalent to a chief petty officer in the Navy.