The People
A unique way of life – work on board ship
What are the jobs on a ship?
The person in charge is known as the Master or the Captain. This post requires full responsibility for the ship, the crew, the cargo, passengers, the safety of the ship and everyone on board, and for navigating the ship to where it needs to go.
The person in charge of a ship’s engineering and technical systems is the Chief Engineer. This post requires full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of complex electrical and mechanical plant and associated control systems.
The ship’s officers have responsibility for a wide range of tasks, either in the deck or the engine department. There are also some dual officer roles, covering both departments. Officers may control the work of
ratings – who perform a wide range of technical and non-technical jobs, and have a lower level of
responsibility than officers.
The Deck Department
Deck officers are responsible for controlling the navigation of the ship, communications, cargo handling and ship stability.
Deck ratings assist in the navigation of the ship and are involved in operating deck machinery such as winches and cranes, and carrying out maintenance tasks.
The Engineering Department
Engineer officers are responsible for the provision and maintenance of all technical services on board, including the propulsion and auxiliary machinery in the engine room.
Engineer ratings are involved in routine maintenance, engine operation and machinery repair.
Work on ships
Life on board a ship is a 24 hour a day operation, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The work is divided into shifts – called watches, which are typically four hours on watch, followed by eight hours off watch. At busy times this may increase to six hours on watch and six hours off watch.
Leave
Leave time is generous, to compensate for time spent on board and away from home. For example, after a voyage of around four months, you could get as much as two months or so off at home.
To find out first-hand information on life at sea, click here for a commentary direct from one of the
Marine Society’s Webships – an on-line ship with cameras and information from crew members.
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