A Guide to Merchant Marine Officer Ranks [UPDATED 2023] (2023)

The merchant marine is the backbone of international trade. Merchant ships employ a large number of skilled workers to transport and deliver goods from one country to another.These workers work for various senior officers.

Merchant Navy officers

In general, merchant marine officer ranks fall mainly into the following categories:

• deck department
• engine department
• catering department

Both the deck and the engine department ensure smooth and efficient navigation of the ship. These departments have different officers who are ranked from highest to lowest. Different tasks are assigned to different officers so there is no confusion about who is doing what. This clear distinction ensures smooth operation in high voltage environments, such as on a merchant ship.

deck department

Deck officers in the Merchant Navy handle navigation,Communication, crew, cargo and general operation of the ship. They also take care of the passengers on the ships and participate in social events on board.

OFFICERS:

• master (captain)
• additional teacher
• Director (Kumpel)
• additional officer
• Second officer (2do officer)
• Third Mate (3rd Mate)
• Additional 3rd Officer (Additional 3rd Officer)
• Cadet (apprentice officer)

EQUIPMENT:

• Firefighter (on oil tankers) / Sailor (on bulk carriers)
• Bootsmann
• AB (Able Sailor)
• OS (common browser)
• azubi OS

Captain/Master

Asea ​​captainit is high gradelicensed sailorwho has supreme command and responsibility over a merchant ship. EITHERThe captain is the first mate of the ship.. She has an immense responsibility and directs the activities on board. Solve serious problems and lead the crew to better performances.

The captain maintains command of the ship at all times and manages the day-to-day operations and deals with the legal matters of maritime affairs.

He is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the ship and its personnel and cargo, including its seaworthiness, safety and security, cargo operations, navigation, crew management and regulatory compliance.

If a situation arises where the captain is not on board, the first mate will automatically assume the role of captain and serve as the ship's executive officer. You cannot become the captain of the ship directly.

You needmeet at the mercantile marinacondeck cadetand only through promotion can you become the captain of the ship.

Head of Department

The first mate is the head of the deck department and one of the most important ranks on the ship.

The first mate reports directly to the ship's captain. The captain is responsible for the removal of waste. He must make sure that the crew is familiar with him.SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW. He is the Officer of the Watch (OOW) for surveillance and navigation between 04:00-08:00 and 16:00-20:00.

Chief Officer or First Officer is also theShip Security Officer (SSO)of the ship Is in charge of the safety of the crew and passengers. He is in charge of the ship.cascoit is in perfect condition

He is responsible for freight and LSA (rescue teams) and FFA (fight the fireequipment) maintenance on the ship.

second officer

The second mate is a licensed member of a deck department.Merchant ship with second officer's certificate, which is issued by the administration.

He is responsible for navigation by radar, satellite and computer systems. He would also monitor the ship's position, speed, heading and weather reports, and keep watch at sea (12:00-16:00 and 00:00-04:00) and in port (12:00-18 :00 and 00:00-06:00).

A second officer is also the ship's medical officer in charge of maintaining and managing all medically relevant services on board.

Third Officer/Carpet

The Third Mate is responsible for the care and maintenance of all Fire Fighting Equipment (FFA) and Salvage Equipment (LSA) on a ship. The third mate is a lookout and is usually the ship's lookout.security officerand fourth in office. The third officer is also often an active participant in gunnery and navigational exercises.

deck cadet

Deck Cadet is the entry point for officer rank in the deck department or officer department. To enter as a deck cadet, you can choose between two courses: B.Sc in Nautical Science or DNS leading to B.Sc in Nautical Science. To be admitted to these courses, you must pass the IMU CET admission test.

To be promoted to Third Mate after Deck Cadet, you must have 2nd^{North Dakota}Companion exam. There is direct promotion from the rank of Third Officer to the rank of Second Officer. On the other hand, you must apply for promotion to Director Generalexamination immediatelymade by the Government of India. To become the captain of the ship, you have to survivemaster exammade by the GOI.

Deck cadet duties include: cleaning and scrubbing, completing the GRT but that's on spare time, paperwork such as copying and pasting printouts, observing cargo and navigation, learning corrections and chart work, and learning the job boatswain's deck or higher cadets.

Keep reading: What is the difference between marine and nautical engineering?

Bootsmann

Bootsmann, also known as a petty officer, works in the ship's deck department as an unlicensed deck crew foreman. He is responsible for the ship's hull and all of its components, including rigging, anchors, cables, sails, deck maintenance, and small craft operations.

The boatswain supervises the deck crew. Among its main functions are: Maintenance of the ship's deck (roughing, painting, polishing, etc.), Informing the 1st Officer about the progress of the work on deck that is being carried out, Mooring/anchoring, Ensuring that the entrusted works to the crew is carried out, Planning the daily work schedule under the responsibilities of the second mate and assigning the necessary work to the appropriate deck crew, etc.

Also read: What is MNTB?

old sailor

Able Seaman is a naval classification of thedeck departmentof a merchant ship with more than two years' experience at sea and is said to be "very familiar with his task". The duties of a trained seaman include:

• Measures water depth in shallow or unknown water using a lead line and calls or chirps replace the information.
• Disassemble, assemble, check and store cargo handling equipment, stationary equipment and rolling stock.
• Look from the bow of the ship or the bridge to watch for obstacles in the ship's course.
• Controls the ship and maintains visual communication with other ships.
• Steers the ship under the direction of the ship's captain or navigation officer, or instructs the helmsman to follow the set course.
• Check lifeboats and lifesaving equipment and lower or raise lifeboats with winch or bow.
• Paint and chips oxidize on the ship's deck or superstructure.
• He stands at the helm when the boat is on autopilot and of course checks the accuracy by comparing it to thecompass. Gives instructions to the crew involved in cleaning the wheelhouse and quarterdeck. Store or remove cargo from the ship's hold.
• Maintains a ship's registry at the port and remainswalkwayGuards to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the ship.

regular sailor

Aregular sailor(SO) is anaval classificationthe deck department of a ship. An OS is usually busy with tasks like polishing, sizing, deck cleaning, and occasionally painting the superstructure above the main deck. A common sailor can carry out activities such as revision, splicing ropes, spinning, rigging, etc. and make roof repairs. It is the duty of the common seaman to ensure the safe handling of cargo equipment and the loading or unloading of cargo. It is directly related to the successful launching and recovery of the ship's lifeboats.

Also read: Merchant Marine Recruitment Process Guide

engine department

Merchant Navytechnical managersMaintenance of machinery and mechanical and electrical instruments on board a ship.

ENGINEERING OFFICERS (Engineers)

• Chief Engineer (Bada Saab)
• second engineer
• third engineer
• fourth engineer
• fifth engineer(Engineer in training)
• Electrician

EQUIPMENT:

• conductor
• mechanic
• cleaner
• cleaner's apprentice

Chief Engineer

The chief engineer is the head of a ship's engineering department. He has overall management and responsibility for this department. the duties of aChief Engineercontain:

• The chief engineer plans, directs and, if necessary, executes the activities of the engineering department in carrying out its assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Supervise your department staff while professionally training and mentoring your fellow assistant engineers.
• A Chief Engineer must ensure that the ship's mission can be successfully completed by personal supervision or by carrying out particularly complex or difficult engineering work and activities.

Second Engineer/First Assistant Engineer

The second engineer is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and daily operations of the engine department. He is the head of the ship's engine department after the chief engineer.

They also assign tasks to unlicensed personnel and monitor and record over time. They are responsible for the proper operation, maintenance, and safety of all machinery, equipment, and rooms in the machinery department, the behavior and performance of machinery personnel, and the economical use of consumables and supplies.

A rescuer should be familiar with the ship's systems, repair schedules, and the results of oil or water sample tests.

The First Assistant Engineer reports directly to the Chief Engineer on a daily basis and assists with paperwork and administrative tasks as needed. This includes security checks and tasks that the boss may not have time to complete.

Also read: Major Merchant Navy Job Sites

Third Engineer / Second Assistant Engineer

The second assistant engineer is responsible for the proper operation, upkeep, upkeep, and condition of the furnace, boilers, and auxiliary equipment and machinery, which may include UNREP loading systems. Inform the second engineer. He oversees all pump lines, storage coolers, emergency pump lines, and parts and supplies. He also manages fuel consumption.

Fourth Engineer/Third Assistant Engineer

Afourth engineerothird assistant engineeris an engineering officer rank that is part of the engineering department of a merchant ship. The general duties of a third assistant engineer vary from ship to ship. He is tasked with controlling the main propulsion systems, water systems, and anything else delegated to them from the top of the chain of command.

He is responsible for keeping the facility running, with the command given and delegated by whoever is on duty. You will receive training to master a variety of fields, such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), electronics, marine medicine, and operation of steam and diesel equipment. The Fourth Engineer is expected to perform duties in all areas of the ship when required.

Fifth engineer/engineer cadet

The fifth driver is under the direct supervision of the second driver on board and is usually assigned various tasks according to the planned work schedule. He is an intern whose main job is to learn things.

These are the following tasks for the fifth engineer to complete:

• To check the soundings (levels) of the IOPP tanks and report this to a senior engineer
• Learning the principles of operation, start and stop procedures, assembly, disassembly and troubleshooting of the main air compressor, air purifier and wastewater treatment plant.
• Maintenance of workshops and various tools.
• Learn on-call procedures.
• Change the oil filter.

Catering Department (in charge of the Master)

• chef
• Director general

chef

A chef is a high-ranking unlicensed crew member who works in the administration department of a merchant ship. His job is to prepare meals for the crew and passengers.

Depending on the size of the boat and the number of crew members, the chef will have an assistant chef to assist him in his duties.

The Executive Chef will ensure that the approved menu is strictly followed and prepared in accordance with the approved recipes, unless specific changes or substitutions are approved by the Executive Chef. Inspects the equipment needed to keep the ship clean and uncontaminated in the galley area.

trainee cook

As the name suggests, the cook apprentice helps the chef prepare dishes and eat.

Flight attendant

The steward primarily assists the chef in preparing and serving food to the people on board. He is also responsible for sweeping and maintaining the officers' quarters.
A steward is also tasked with taking inventory of supplies. A butler manages food bills, plans menus, and documents cost control issues.

they tooMerchant Marine Officer jobs. His salary is also very high. You live a life of luxury. All crew members and officers receive free meals on board and senior officers are allowed to take their wives with them on the voyage.

A junior engineer on a ship can earn around Rs. 30,000 per month with free food and lodging while signed on board the ship. The chief engineer earns around INR 1.5 lakh per month.

The salary package of a captain is around INR 2 lakh per month. Imported alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, canned goods, and cosmetics are also available on board duty free. Who doesn't want to have such a good life?