Describe the different departments of a ship’s organization and explain the duties and

responsibilities of each department of a ship’s organization.

A shipboard organization is similar to the government structure we have in our

countries. Vessels have a world of their own. They are like mini kingdoms having a very small
population with each person holding specific duties. The duties vary depending on the crew’s
rank. A normal seagoing merchant vessel is run by 20 strong men on average. They are divided
into three departments namely Deck, Engine and Catering. These departments have various
tasks during drills, emergencies and security duties. Each of the crew functions based on their
ranks outlined in their job description. Shipboard organization makes it easy for everyone to
identify the degree of responsibility of every person on board. The Captain or Master is the
ship's highest responsible officer, acting on behalf of the ship's owner/operator or manager.
The Captain/Master is legally responsible for the day-to-day management of the ship. It is
his/her responsibility to ensure that all the departments perform legally to the ship's the
owner/operator or manager's requirements. The ship has several deck officers that assist the
master. Master also usually has pilot’s advice while the ship is navigating in restricted waters,
such as narrow or shallow channels. Also, each shipboard department has a designated head
who reports to the master. The deck department is headed by a Chief Officer. The engine
department is headed by a Chief Engineer. He has other licensed engineers to assist him with
engine room watch and the performance of maintenance and repair activities in the engine
room. The Chief Steward is the head of the catering department. He assists the captain in
dealing with embarkation (entering a port) and disembarkation (leaving a port) formalities and
other administrative tasks.

In the Deck Department, the Chief Officer, also called Chief Mate or First Mate, is the
head of the deck department. He is second-in-command after the ship's master. The Chief
Officer's primary responsibilities are the vessel's cargo operations, stability, and supervising the
deck crew. The Chief Officer is responsible for the safety and security of the ship, as well as the
welfare of the crew on board. The Chief Officer typically stands the 4-8 hours of a navigation
watch. Additional duties include ensuring good maintenance of the ship's hull, cargo gears,
accommodations, the lifesaving and firefighting appliances. The Chief Officer also trains the
crew and cadets on various aspects like safety, firefighting, search and rescue and various other
contingencies. Next is the Second Officer, also called Second Mate, is usually in charge of ship
navigation with a position below Chief Officer and above Third Officer. He/she is the third-in-
command, after the Master and Chief Officer. The second officer typically stands to watch from
1200 to 1600 at noon and again from 0000 to 0400 in the nights. Next is the Third Officer also
called 3rd Mate primarily charged with the safety of the ship and crew. The Third officer
generally serves as the ship's chief safety officer. The Third Officer is the next licensed position
on board the vessel, as fourth-in-command. Next one is the Bosun is the head of the unlicensed
deck department. With direct supervision from the Chief Officer, his main duty is keeping a
good maintenance of the ship’s hull. The Bosun’s job revolves around the deck area. After
getting the job order of the day from Chief Mate, he usually delegates the tasks to the deck
crew. He then switches to supervision mode while performing some work that he can manage
himself. The Bosun works closely with the Chief Officer. We mentioned that Chief Officer is also
the garbage manager and disciplinarian. Well, that job is designated to the Boatswain too.
Though the Chief Mate is the head of deck maintenance, the hands and feet that actually does
the nitty-gritty stuffs are the deck crew headed by the Bosun. Next one is the Pumpman,
Pumpman assists the Chief Officer during loading, discharging and crude oil washing.
Additionally, his duty also involves assisting in ballasting, de-ballasting, inerting, purging, gas-
freeing and tank washing. His responsibilities revolves around the deck area with the
cooperation from Bosun and other deck crew. However, he’s mainly focused on the
maintenance of cargo equipment, PV valves, IG valves, deck seal, tank gauging equipment and
connecting/ disconnecting of cargo hoses. Next one is the Able-bodies Seaman or the Abs they
are usually the ones steering the vessel during pilotage. They are either watch keepers or day
workers. As watch keepers, they are partnered with the deck officers respectively. They are the
ones doing all the maintenance jobs on deck like chipping, buffing, painting, washing and
greasing. Headed by the Bosun, they do the nitty-gritty jobs like climbing and entry into
enclosed spaces. During cargo operations, they too are involved in the deck area as eyes and
ears for the deck officers. Their duties include checking the cargo lines for leaks, tendering the
mooring lines and watching the gangway. Next one is an Ordinary Seaman is the entry-level
rank in the deck department. His duty is very much like the ABs. However, they require much
supervision especially the new ones. Hence, they are partnered with an experienced AB.
Ordinary seaman are not allowed to steer the ship even if they have the necessary certificates.
They are also not permitted to perform working aloft and tank entries. Their main duty is
assisting the ABs while learning about the job so they can be ready to get a promotion. Last one
in this department is the Deck Cadet. On some shipboard organization, the Deck Cadet is
positioned just before the Third Officer. However, some organizational charts place him at the
bottom of every department either deck or engine. A Deck Cadet’s duties depend on the
culture of the ship. On some vessels, he spends his time mostly on deck doing maintenance
together with the ratings. Meanwhile, some ships assign deck cadets only on the bridge. Still a
few follows the program laid out in their Training Record Book. The main duty of a Cadet is
training. He must learn the different jobs on board. He can achieve this through immersion.
Therefore, his training supervisor assigns him together with the officers. Additionally, he also
sends him to the Pumpman and Bosun to get an overview of the various jobs on deck.

In the Engine Department, the head of the shipboard engineering department is the
Chief Engineer (C/E). He is the overall in charge of engine room safety, machinery operation,
maintenance, bunkering and technical administration. Specifically, he keeps very much
attention to the paper works, checklists and managerial tasks within his departments. He
answers directly to the Captain. Additionally, he is responsible that proper entries are made
into the Oil Record Book and Engine Log Book. The Chief Engineer also monitors the fuel and
lube oil consumption. This means that the machineries in operation must achieve good and safe
performance with economical consumption. Next one is the Second Engineer is the rank below
Chief Engineer. He is the Executive Officer of the ship’s Engine Department. Since the Chief
Engineer is buried with paper works, the Second Engineer does the planning, scheduling,
delegating and directing the maintenance plan inside the engine room. Of course, those jobs
must be in consultation with the Chief Engineer. Next one is the 3rd Engineer, 3rd Engineer is
responsible to the Second Engineer for normal maintenance and watch keeping duties. In other
ships, he is also called Second Assistant Engineer (2AE). He is responsible for the general
maintenance of the machinery and equipment. Under the supervision of the 2nd Engineer, he
ensures that there are sufficient bunkers in the day tanks. Additionally, his work includes the
upkeep of the main proportion, engines, boilers and the diesel generators as per the Planned
Maintenance System (PMS). Next one is 4th Engineer, 4th Engineer’s job includes studying and
practicing the 3rd Engr.’s duties. His day starts with a toolbox meeting with the other engineers
and crew. The Second Engineer normally gives him the job for the day. As the lowest engineer
ranking on board, some of his duties include the maintenance of purifiers, air compressors,
sewage treatment and general maintenance. His responsibilities may overlap or interchanged
with the other engineers due to different company regulations. In some ships without
electrician, he is also in charge with electrical fixtures, water systems and sounding of bilges
and tanks. Next one is the Electrician, electrician is one of the most vital technical ranks on
board. Since a ship is mostly run by automation, an ETO plays a major role in keeping them
running at all times. In the vessel’s organizational hierarchy, the electrician reports directly to
the Chief Engineer. He normally does not have a watch but is a day worker and can be called
any time. He also works in the deck department especially with the Chief Officer. An ETO’s job
includes UMS tests schedules, alarms tests (fire, smoke, heat), battery checks and refrigeration
and air-conditioning units. But that’s not all. Nearly all sorts of electronics and electrical
problems even those found inside the bridge is a job for electrician.Next is Fitter, Fitter’s job on
board is well, fitting a ship. But that’s too broad and too narrow at the same time. Fitters are
highly skilled workers and are usually found inside the engine workshop. They are strong and
adept in using various of measuring tools. Their expertise includes riveting, grinding, welding,
drilling and the use of lathe machine. They are very good at assembling, disassembling,
reassembling and building new parts of a machine which are damaged. Fitters are under the
direct supervision of Second Engineer which means that’s where he gets his jobs. Some of their
works include repairs of piping systems, plumbing, fitting and hot works. They also help out the
engineers maintaining their machineries. Next is a Motorman or oiler their job includes
inspection and maintenance of pumps, motors, turbines and condensers on board. His care for
these equipment involves greasing, lubricating, de-rusting and painting if necessary. He keeps a
record of his tasks and is directly responsible to the Second Engineer. Like the rest of the deck
ratings, he also helps make the engine room clean and in good order. On some ships, his
responsibility includes sounding of bilges and bunker tanks. Both the Oiler and Motorman take
part during bunkering operations. Next is the Wiper, wiper is the ordinary seaman’s
counterpart in the engine room. His job is that mainly of support to those ranks above him. In
most occasions, he is in charge of the general cleanliness of the engine room, engine work shop
and engine control room. He can be seen assisting the engineers cleaning the purifiers,
dismantling motors and doing routine. Wipers are expected to study and learn the jobs of
Oilers, Motormens and Fitters. With enough knowledge and experience, he can be promoted to
those levels. The last one in this department is the Engine Cadet, like the Deck Cadet, an Engine
Cadet’s duty is mainly to learn the different jobs in the Engine department. His training scheme
is directly supervise by the Second Engineer. Because of the various jobs in the engine room, he
is normally paired to the Engineers, electrician and even with the ratings. Cadets are expected
to absorb the learning he encounter in his work. He is a trainee to become an engineer even
though his rank is placed below the engine department’s organizational diagram.

In the Steward Department, A Chief Steward is the highest ranking member of the
galley department. He directs and supervises the planning and preparation of meals. Moreover,
he is responsible for cost control and requisition of provisions. Next is Chief Cook, some ships
employ only a chief steward or chief cook but the same person performs both the job of the
cook and steward. This scheme is usually part of cost cutting strategy especially on merchant
ships where the crew is only small. A chief cook’s job is to prepare and cook the meals for the
crew. He maintains the cleanliness and orderliness inside the galley and the provision room. His
duty also overlaps with the Chief Steward. He also bakes bread and cakes for the crew. The last
one is Messman, while the officers and engineers are busy with their work, the Messman is the
guy in charge of cleaning their cabins. His area of expertise is inside the Mess hall where he
keeps it clean and orderly. Before meals, he sets the table by preparing the plates, utensils,
chairs and ensures that the ketchup is not empty. He is also incharge of washing the dishes and
filling the fridge with milk, juice, yogurt, bread and other beverages that the crew needs.