Marine Engineering on board a ship refers to the operation and maintenance of the propulsion and

other systems such as: electrical power generation plant; lighting; air conditioning; refrigeration; and
water systems on board the vessel.

Workers in the Engine department must be able to work in extreme heat and noise. This department
employs skilled workers from Chief Engineer to Electrician and Plumber.

Captain/Master[edit]

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 legally responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the ship as he is in command. It is his
responsibility to ensure that all the departments under him perform legally to the requirements of the
ship's owner. The Captain represents the owner and hence is called "Master".

If the master of the ship is incapacitated or absent from the vessel, the Chief officer is in charge of all the
operations as he is the executive officer of the ship.

Further details are available from the documented Safety Management Systems (SMS) of shipping
companies. If the SMS appoints the Chief officer as second in command, he will assume command.

Deck department[edit]

Chief officer/Chief mate[edit]





Epaulettes worn by the Chief Officer on merchant ships (similar to those worn by a commander in the
commonwealth navies)
The chief officer/first mate (often called the chief mate in the United States) 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. Additional duties include maintenance of the ship's hull,
cargo gears, accommodations, the life saving appliances and the firefighting appliances. The Chief Mate
also trains the crew and cadets on various aspects like safety, firefighting, search and rescue, and
various other contingencies. The chief officer assumes command of the whole ship in the absence or
incapacitation of the master.

Second officer/second mate[edit]

The second officer (or second mate) of a merchant vessel is usually in charge of navigation and is the
next licensed position above third officer and below chief officer as third-in-command, after the captain
and first/chief mate. The second mate typically stands the 12-4 navigation watch. That is, the second
mate will stand watch from 1200 to 1600 at noon and again from 0000 to 0400 in the nights. The second
mate is typically the navigation officer aboard in a ship.

Third officer/third mate[edit]

The third officer (or third mate) of a merchant vessel is primarily charged with the safety of the ship and
crew. The third mate is the next licensed position on board the vessel, as fourth-in-command after the
captain, first/chief mate, and second mate. The third mate tends to take the 8-12 watch. The third mate
also generally serves as the ship's Chief Safety Officer.

Deck Cadet[edit]

A Deck Cadet is an officer under training in much the same way as in a military context. Cadets receive
training in firefighting, first aid and survival techniques. Deck Cadets train in the fields of navigation, ship
handling and cargo handling as well as maritime law. A cadet reports to the Chief Officer. His or her role
as a trainee is to observe and learn, while helping out where possible, mostly the Chief Officer. As they
do not have Certificate of Competency, cadets cannot hold a watch, but will likely assist one of the
qualified officers, often with the Chief Officer, with their watch.

Boatswain[edit]

A boatswain, often (at least since 1868) phonetically spelled and pronounced bosun, is the most senior
among the deck ratings. The boatswain is responsible for all deck works which includes ship
maintenance, and repair of deck equipments

Able seaman[edit]

In the modern merchant marine, an able seaman (AB) is a member of the deck department and must
possess a merchant mariner's document.

Ordinary seaman[edit]

In the United States Merchant Marine, an ordinary seaman or OS is an entry-level position in a ship's
deck department. An OS performs a variety of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck
department areas and equipment. Upkeep duties include scaling, buffing, and painting decks and
superstructure; as well as sweeping and washing the deck. An OS may splice wire and rope; break out,
rig, overhaul, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Additionally, the OS
secures cargo, as well as launches and recovers boats. The OS may rig and operate hydrographic and
other specialty winches; handle and stow oceanographic explosives; and stage and stow beach support
equipment.

Engineering department[edit]

Chief engineer[edit]

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", "Cheng", or just "Chief", is responsible for all
operations and maintenance that have to do with all engineering equipment throughout the ship. He
may be paid on par with the Captain, although he is never responsible for the action of ship. The Chief
Engineer cannot assume command and the command always rests with the deck officers unless it is
clearly mentioned within the safety management system.

Second engineer/first assistant engineer[edit]

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.

On a merchant vessel, depending on term usage, "The First" or "The Second" is the marine engineer
second in command of the engine department after the ship's chief engineer. The person holding this
position is typically the busiest engineer aboard the ship, due to the supervisory role this engineer plays
and the operations duties performed. Operational duties include responsibility for the refrigeration
systems, main engines (steam/gas turbine, diesel), and any other equipment not assigned to the second
assistant engineer/third engineer or the third assistant engineer/fourth engineer(s). If the engine room
requires round the clock attendance and other junior engineers can cover the three watch rotations, this
officer is usually a "day worker" from 0630-1830.

Third engineer/second assistant engineer[edit]

The third engineer or second assistant engineer is junior to the Second Engineer/First Assistant Engineer
in the engine department and is usually in charge of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, condensate, and
feed systems. This engineer is the third highest marine engineer in rank. Depending on usage, "The
Second" or "The Third" is also typically in charge of fueling or bunkering, if the officer holds a valid
Person In Charge (PIC) endorsement for fuel transfer operations.

Fourth engineer/third assistant engineer[edit]

The fourth engineer or third assistant engineer is junior to the second assistant engineer/third engineer
in the engine department. The most junior marine engineer of the ship, he or she is usually responsible
for electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Depending on usage,
this person is called "The Third", or "The Fourth", and usually stands a watch. Moreover, the Fourth
Engineer may assist the third mate in maintaining proper operation of the lifeboats. In the U.S. fleet, it is
not uncommon for the Third Engineer to carry the nickname "Turd Third" due to his/her sewage
treatment responsibilities.

Engineering cadet[edit]

A trainee engineer officer normally reports to the second engineer. Their role as trainee is to observe
and learn, while helping out where possible. As they have no 'ticket' a cadet can not hold a watch, but
will likely assist one of the qualified engineers with their watch. Typical duties may include preparing the
engine room log or preparing the tea and coffee at breaks (if asked) for the engineering team. The
Engineer Cadets epaulette is purple, as with the other engineers, however has only one gold horizontal
strip (UK system).

Electrical department[edit]

Electrotechnical Officer[edit]

The Electrotechnical Officer is in charge of all the electrical systems on the ship.Electrical engineer is one
of the most vital positions in the technical hierarchy of a ship and engineer is responsible for his
assigned work under the chief engineers instructions.

Some shipping companies do not carry electrical officers on their ship to cut down the manning cost and
the electrical duties are carried by some one from the engineers side, normally third engineer.
However, many companies realized that electrical and electronic system requires some extra attention
and therefore require an expert to attend them.

As the technology is advancing, more and more automations and electronic circuit is replacing
conventional and electrical systems. Hence the international Maritime Organisation (IMO) amended
STCW 95 on 25th June 2010 known as Manila amendment, to introduce a certified position of Electro-
technical officer in place of electrical officer.

Steward's department[edit]

Chief steward[edit]

The chief steward directs, instructs, and assigns personnel performing such functions as preparing and
serving meals; cleaning and maintaining officers' quarters and steward department areas; and receiving,
issuing, and inventorying stores. The chief steward also plans menus; compiles supply, overtime, and
cost control records. The Steward may requisition or purchase stores and equipment. Additional duties
may include baking bread, rolls, cakes, pies, and pastries. A chief steward's duties may overlap with
those of the Steward's Assistant, the Chief Cook, and other Steward's Department crew members.
Although he wears an officer's uniform and is an officer by courtesy in order to head a department, he is
not a licensed Merchant Marine officer. He eats and lives with the unlicensed crew, and his insignia is
different from that of the ship's officers and engineers.

Chief cook[edit]

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 Bosun in the Deck Department, the Pump man in an oil tanker, and
the Electrician in the Engine Department of a container ship or general cargo ship. He can be regarded
as equivalent to a chief petty officer in the Navy.

The chief cook directs and participates in the preparation and serving of meals; determines timing and
sequence of operations required to meet serving times; inspects galley and equipment for cleanliness
and proper storage and preparation of food.