Modern ships are technologically advanced and require seafarers to have a wide range of expertise.
There are normally two main departments on board - deck and engine room. Ships carrying passengers also have a hotel services department and many other roles catering for the demanding needs and expectations of the paying passenger.
The deck department is concerned with the overall operation of the ship, responsibilities including navigation, communications, cargo or other ship operation, stability and safety. The engine room department is responsible for all technical services including main engine propulsion, other plant and machinery, electrical generation and maintenance, all controlled by a vast array of computer control systems that need monitoring 24 hours a day.
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. You will find out more about how the individual departments work on board ship by exploring the different officer disciplines by clicking on the links below.