chief steward duties and responsibilities

The Chief Officer is in charge of the vessel’s cargo operations, deck crew stability and supervision, ship safety and security, and crew welfare. The chief mate is the head of the deck department and second-in-command of the ship. The following are the deck crew and their responsibilities: First Mate or Chief Mate In port, he is responsible for ordering and managing the delivery of groceries, galley supply, and distribution, and crew wages, among other things. While the ship is sailing in confined waters, such as narrow or shallow channels, the master consults with pilots. “A shipmaster” is his legal title.Īcting on behalf of the ship’s owner or operator, the shipmaster as the ship’s highest responsible officer is in charge of the ship’s day-to-day operations and ensures that all departments meet the standards of the ship’s owner/operator. Shipboard Organization and Ranks On Merchant Navy Ships Captain or Ship Masterĭespite rising through the deck department, the Captain is not considered a member of the ship’s complement. The deck department is headed by the chief officer. the department, The STCW further prescribes the responsibilities of each rank in the shipboard organization. Provisions of the STCW Convention prescribe the skill and other requirements needed to become a part of a shipboard organization. The deck department is an organizational team on board ships. The Deck Department: Ranks And Responsibilities Three main departments on the ship carry out these shipboard tasks- the Deck Department, the Engine Department, and the Steward Department.

Each of these areas requires a different level of organization in order to keep everything running smoothly. IMO Resolution A.1047 (27), Principles of minimum safe manning adopted in 2011 addresses crew requirements needed to ensure that a ship is sufficiently, effectively, and efficiently manned to ensure the safety and security of the ship.įor shipboard organization, there are three main areas that need to be considered: the crew, the cargo, and the ship itself.

They need to be organized in order to maintain the ship’s equipment and keep track of their duties. The crew is the most important part of the organization process. In a crisis, a well-organized ship can respond more quickly and effectively. Every crew member needs to, be aware of their specific duties and tasks in order to keep the vessel running efficiently.Ĭrew members who are familiar with their surroundings and their responsibilities are less likely to make mistakes. The shipboard organization is key to a smooth and successful voyage. This article will describe the organizational structure that is commonly used on general cargo ships. However, there are some standard organizational structures that are internationally accepted. Organizational structures on cargo ships vary depending on the ship’s crew and the ship’s intended purpose is. A shipmaster is the legal title of the officer who heads the Deck, Engine, and Steward Department that are staffed with officers and ratings trained and licensed to operate a ship.

The shipboard organization is a system and structure that identifies the duties and responsibilities of every person on board the ship. Ships are the prime movers for international shipping and their operational efficiency is dictated by the effectiveness of the shipboard organization on the ships.

Chief steward duties and responsibilities