Understanding Ship Hierarchies: Ranks and Roles Explained
Shipboard organizations bear a stark resemblance to government structures in the countries of the world. It wouldn’t even be too much to say that vessels are a world of their own.
They are similar to small kingdoms with small populations where every person has specific designated duties. These duties differ according to the rank of the crew.
On average, 20 strong and able men run a typical seagoing merchant vessel divided into three primary departments: Catering, Engine, and Deck. The departments have different tasks during security duties, drills, and emergencies.
Understanding ship hierarchies and the different ranks and roles can give you an idea of how a vessel operates and functions.
Seaman Ranks
Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Sir James Cook, and Amerigo Vespucci are some of the most popular sailors that often come to mind. All of them share one thing in common, and that is the fact that they were Masters, or Master Mariner, or Captain onboard sailing ships.
Since sailing requires an entire team to work, it requires several people with different ranks to perform specific roles and duties. These are the following:
Master
In ships, the Master is the one who holds the Deck Class I COC or certificate of competency. The Master is the Deck Officer with the highest rank and the ship’s commanding person.
As the adage in the industry goes, if a ship is on the island, the king of this island is the Master himself. However, it doesn’t mean the crew will jump into the sea if the Master tells them to.
But still, the Master got the most power over the rest of the ranks. He can also dismiss any of the ship’s crew members under reasonable circumstances. Good Masters always prioritize their crew’s safety over others. The life of a person always comes first, more than the ship.
Chief Mate
Chief Officers hold a Deck Class II COC and a Class I certificate of competency. A Chief Mate will become a master with further exams or experience.
Second Mate
Aside from the Deck Class II certificate of competency, the Second Mate may also hold the Class II and Class I COC. He will become a Chief Mate with further exams or experience.
Third Mate
With a Deck Class III certification of competency and sometimes, even a Class II or Class I COC, the Third Mate will become a Second Mate with additional experience.
Deck Cadet
Deck Cadets are trainee Navigation Offers. They may be a novice or fresher at sea. A Deck Cadet needs to learn and perform jobs under the Chief Officer. He can take on different positions, ranging from navigating ships to cleaning. However, Deck Cadets should never be used or treated by their seniors as cheap laborers. Instead, they should be guided and taught accordingly.
Chief Engineer
A Chief Engineer is an Engine Class I Certificate holder. He is in charge of the engine room and is the Engineer Officer with the highest rank.
Second Engineer
The Second Engineer will become a Chief Engineer with additional exams or experience. They hold an Engine Class II Certificate and a Class I COC.
Third Engineer
Armed with an Engine Class II Certificate and a Class II or Class I COC, a Third Engineer will sometimes become a Second Engineer after taking exams or gaining more experience.
Fourth Engineer
A Fourth Engineer carries an Engine Class III Certificate. He may also hold Class II and Class I COC. He will be promoted as a Third Engineer with more experience.
Engine Cadet
Engine Cadets are trainee engineer officers who may be novices or freshers at sea. An Engine Cadet must learn and perform jobs under a Second Engineer. The position involves different jobs, including main engine operation and bilge cleaning. Seniors should never use Engine Cadets as cheap laborers because they require teaching and guidance.
Electrician
While no Certificate of Competency is under the Electrician’s name, his rank is considered equal to that of the Third Engineer and Second Mate. Working under the Chief Engineer, the Electrician carries out different electricity-related jobs, from repairing the generator to changing the light bulbs. Electricians may either come from the Navy or begin their career as Electrician Cadets.
Bosun
The Bosun is the spokesman of the crew or the deck foreman. The senior Able-Bodied Seaman or AB will become the Bosun. The Bosun performs deck jobs such as cleaning, mixing paints, wire splicing, helping the Chief Mate during anchoring, arranging stores, and supervising the deck ratings. He is also the one who brings any crew-related issues to the knowledge of the Chief Mate.
Pump Man
Only tanker ships have the Pump Man rank. The rank is just equal to Bosun, although the Pump Man often works on his own, taking job orders straight from the Chief Mate. The Pump Man has a major role to play during discharging and loading. He primarily opens valves per the Chief Mate’s instructions and takes soundings and ullages.
AB (Able-Bodied Seaman)
The AB or Able-Bodied Seaman, oversees the deck’s maintenance work. He does chores such as greasing equipment, cleaning, chipping, painting, and washing. He will also help the duty officer with bridge watch and steer the ship. Further experience can help an AB to become a Bosun.
OS (Ordinary Seaman)
Just like the AB, the OS or Ordinary Seaman is responsible for maintenance work on the deck, such as cleaning, washing, painting, greasing equipment, and chipping. The main difference between these two is that the OS doesn’t help with the bridge watch and doesn’t steer the ship. However, with experience, certified watch-keeping, and steering practice, the OS can also become an AB.
Fitter
Fitters are experts in gas cutting, boring, grinding, and welding. They also operate the lathe machine. More often than not, the Fitter works under the Second Engineer in the engine department, although you can also find Voyage Fitters and Deck Fitters. This rank is equal to that of Bosun.
Oiler
The engine room’s maintenance work falls in the hands of the Oiler. He helps the duty engineer at the watch, with UMS ships being the only exception. Oilers also assist Engineers by painting cleaning and overhauling machinery. The rank is also equal to AB, and experienced oilers may sometimes become a Pump Man.
Wiper
Cleaning the engine room is the main job of the Wiper. He also overhauls Machinery to help Engineers. Wipers can become Oilers with enough experience.
Chief Cook
The Chief Cook prepares all meals for the personnel onboard. This job is crucial if there is a multinational crew since every person will have a preference for cooking styles and food.
Food is often prepared to suit the nationality style of the majority of the crew although the nationality of the senior officers and the Master has a major role to play here.
The Chief Cook should be able to write in English and be familiar with the names of different food items and menus. He assists the Master in ordering provisions, and his and the Bosun’s rank are equal.
Steward
The Steward is the assistant of Chief Cook. He assists the Chief Cook with cooking by cutting and cleaning vegetables. He also serves food to all the officers and must always be present during meal times in the officer’s mess. He also washes all cutlery and plates, washes linen, and cleans the cabins of officers. The OS rank is equal to that of the Steward.
