A Career at Sea

Modern ships are technologically advanced and require seafarers to have a wide range of expertise, depending on their position on board, from basic practical to complex management, technical and organizational skills. There is no bar to women serving at sea, and there are female captains and chief engineers.

The Ship’s Company

There are normally two main departments on board - deck and engine room. Ships carrying passengers also have a hotel services department.

The deck department is concerned with the overall operation of the ship, responsibilities including navigation, communications, cargo or other ship operation, stability, maintenance, and safety.

The engine room department is responsible for all technical services including main engine propulsion, other plant and machinery, electrical generation, maintenance, cargo or other ship operation, and safety.

The number in a ship's company varies according to the size and type of ship and area of operation, and may range between as few as six and up to twenty-five or more. These numbers will be significantly higher on passenger ships and ferries in all departments but particularly in the hotel services department, depending on the number of passengers carried. Irrespective of the size of the ship's company, the structure of the various departments follows the same pattern, an example of which is shown in the table below. Limited numbers of other specialist personnel may also be carried. The smaller the total numbers on board, the more inter-departmental work activity occurs.

The Deck Department

“I am ambitious and intend to progress to the senior certificates as soon as I can, but I will need to make the right choices to achieve that ambition. I am confident in my ability to become a reliable and competent officer. Have I got any regrets about my choice of career? No, none, and I would certainly make the same choice again."Deck Cadet now serving at sea as a junior officer

Master	The ship’s master is the highest ranking officer on board and has overall command and responsibility for the vessel, its crew, any passengers and cargo. The Master (Captain) maintains the ship’s records, has responsibility for accounting and bookkeeping, and receives and implements instructions from the operating company of the vessel. The Master will also take command of the vessel in inclement weather or any other emergency, and in crowded or narrow waters.
First Mate (Chief Mate)	The First Mate has direct responsibility for all deck operations including cargo storage and handling, deck maintenance, and deck supplies. He or she will also assign and monitor watches and will be on smaller ships the medical officer.
Second Mate	The Second Mate is the ship’s navigation officer and has the responsibility for maintaining charts and monitoring the navigation equipment on the bridge.
Third Mate	The Third Mate assists other officers as directed and has immediate responsibility for the regular maintenance of emergency survival equipment including lifeboats and life rings.

Ratings

The Deck Department is manned by ratings which include the Boatswain (Bosun), who has direct responsibility for supervising the seamen working within the department. The Able Seaman’s (AB) duties include standing watch, during which he or she will steer the vessel and generally assist the mate on watch, and undertake maintenance and docking duties. An Ordinary Seaman (OB) is an apprentice AB and will assist the AB’s bosun and officers and undertake activities to ensure the vessel is kept orderly.

The Engine Room Department

“Before I went on board I expected the ships to be very large - you see films made on huge ferries and cruise liners and expect them all to be like that, and of course they are not. The reality wasn't a problem - as soon as I got down to the engine room the whole thing came alive for me. It is very exciting to be an engineer.” Engineer Cadet now serving at sea as a junior officer

The Engine Room Department falls under the overall charge of the Master but with day-to-day immediate duties as below.

Chief Engineer	The head of the Engineering Department, the Chief Engineer has overall responsibility for the functioning of the engine room and all mechanical equipment on the ship. He or she will keep records of all engine parts and repairs, be responsible for calculating fuel and water consumption and requirements, and coordinate operations with the shoreside port engineer.
Second Engineer	Directly involved in engine maintenance and assigns duties to engine room ratings and work priorities according to the Chief’s requirements.
Third Engineer	Assists other engineer officers as required.
Electrical Technical Officer	Some ships will have a dedicated electrical officer responsible for all the electrical and electronic control systems and equipment depending on the requirements of the vessel.

Ratings

The Engine Department may also have a small number of ratings who will have direct responsibility for general routine maintenance and other tasks associated with some of the more basic technical systems. 

Larger vessels will also have crew with specific responsibilities for communication and catering.