Shipboard Organization: Seafarers’ Ranks, Duties and Salaries

A shipboard organization is similar to the government structure we have in our countries.

Vessels have worlds of their own. They are like mini kingdoms having a very small population with
each person holding specific duties. The duties vary depending on the crew’s rank.

20 strong men runs a normal seagoing merchant vessel on average. They are divided into three
departments namely Deck, Engine, and Catering. These departments have various tasks during
drills, emergencies, and security duties.

Knowing the importance of a shipboard organizational plan gives you an overview of the way a
vessel functions.
Shipboard Organizational Chart

To better understand how the chain of command flows on board, one must look at the vessel’s
organizational chart. This chart shows various departments running the ship including their
department heads.

Each of the crew functions based on the ranks outlined in their job description. The shipboard
organization makes it easy for everyone to identify the degree of responsibility of every person on
board.
Variations

On every ship, the overall command goes to the Master. Under him are the three departments:
Deck, Engineering, and Steward or Catering. The chart above best describes this hierarchy.

However, there are companies in which the Catering department is under the umbrella of the
Chief Officer.

Not only that, there are shipboard organizational structures that consider the Cadet as part of the
officers. Others however put him in the lowest rank just below the Ordinary Seaman or Wipers.

There are no wrong answers here as each company have different policy. As long as the crew runs
the ship safely and complies with various rules and regulations, this should not be a problem.

In this article, we shall use the three departments directly under the Master’s umbrella.

The Master

On top of every shipboard organization is the Master. He is the overall commander having
absolute authority on board.

This absolute authority means he has the overriding decision against the desires of the company
and charterers. Of course, his judgment is always based on the safety of the vessel her crew, and
cargo.

Interchangeably, he is also called the Captain of the ship. Even when there are superintendents,
shipowners, and inspectors on board, he still has absolute command.

These visitors can not interfere with the ship’s operation without permission from the Captain.

When there are accidents, incidents, or deficiencies, the Master will be deemed responsible for it
unless he can prove it otherwise.

Deck Department

The Deck department is the unit responsible for navigation, watchkeeping, maintenance of the
ship’s hull, cargo hold preparation, and loading and unloading of cargoes.

Additionally, they are also responsible for keeping the lifesaving and fire fighting equipment in
good order.

Mooring, un-mooring, anchoring, and ballasting operations fall under the care of the deck
department.
Generally, the deck crew conducts surface maintenance of the deck including its fittings and
equipment.

Chief Officer

The Chief Officer is the Master’s second in command. He is the person to take over the control of
the ship whenever the Master is incapacitated.

Sometimes called the Chief Mate, First Officer, or First Mate, he is primarily responsible for
everything related to cargo operations.

He is the training manager, garbage manager, rest hours supervisor, disciplinarian, and job
administrator.

Some ships have three Junior Officers making the Chief Mate a day worker- 8 am to 12 noon, 1 pm
to 5 pm. However, there are still ships with only 2 Junior Officers.

This makes the Chief Mate a 4 to 8 watch keeper (AM/ PM) despite the huge jobs he has. His
salary ranges from $6,000 to $12,000.

Second Officer

Typically stands at 12 to 4 watch (AM and PM), the second officer is also called the navigational
officer. From what we see on the organizational chart, he is the rank below the Chief Mate and
just above the Third Officer.

Since he is the navigational officer, his main duty revolves around the bridge. He is in charge of
fixing the voyage plans, chart corrections, and publication updates.

More importantly, he makes sure that all navigational instruments and light signals are working
and tested regularly.

The duty of a second mate includes cargo operations, ballasting operation, and mooring/
unmooring of the ship. On some ships, he is also designated as the Ship Security Officer (SSO).

His salary is approximately $2,500 to $5,000.

A Third Mate’s watch is from 8 to 12 (AM-PM). He is usually the safety officer on board. This
means that his duty involves the care and maintenance of all lifesaving and firefighting equipment.

Whenever there are on-signers, the third Mate is in charge of their familiarization. He gives them a
tour of all the safety and fire fighting equipment once on board.

In cooperation with the Chief Mate, his duty also includes updating the Muster list and assigning
the crew’s duties and responsibilities during emergencies.

Like the second officer, his job also involves cargo operations, ballasting operation, and mooring/
unmooring of the ship.

A Third Mate’s salary is around USD2,000 to USD4,500.

Bosun (Boatswain)

The Bosun is the head of the unlicensed deck department. With direct supervision from the Chief
Officer, his main duty is keeping good maintenance of the ship’s hull.

The Bosun’s job revolves around the deck area. After getting the job order of the day from Chief
Mate, he usually delegates the tasks to the deck crew.

He then switches to supervision mode while performing some work that he can manage himself.

The Bosun works closely with the Chief Officer. We mentioned that Chief Officer is also the
garbage manager and disciplinarian. Well, that job is designated to the Boatswain too.

Though the Chief Mate is the head of deck maintenance, the hands and feet are the deck crew.
The Bosun heads the nitty-gritty stuff on deck together with the ratings.

On average, a Bosun earns USD2,000 per month.

You can find the rank of a Pumpman in tanker ships. Sometimes, his salary is equivalent to that of
a Bosun. In other companies, his wage is a bit higher by USD100.00 to USD300.00.

A Pumpman assists the Chief Officer during loading, discharging, and crude oil washing.
Additionally, his duty also involves assisting in ballasting, de-ballasting, inerting, purging, gas-
freeing, and tank washing.

His responsibilities revolve around the deck area with the cooperation of Bosun and other deck
crew.

However, he’s mainly focused on the maintenance of cargo equipment, PV valves, IG valves, deck
seal, tank gauging equipment, and connecting/ disconnecting of cargo hoses.

Able-bodies Seaman (AB)

The ABs are usually the ones steering the vessel during pilotage. They are either watch keepers or
day workers. As watchkeepers, they are partnered with the deck officers respectively.

They are the ones doing all the maintenance jobs on deck like chipping, buffing, painting, washing,
and greasing. Together with the Bosun, they do the nitty-gritty jobs like climbing and entry into
enclosed spaces.

During cargo operations, they are the eyes and ears of the officers in the deck area. Their duties
include checking the cargo lines for leaks, tendering the mooring lines, and watching the gangway.

An Able-bodied Seaman’s salary is about USD1,550.00.

Ordinary Seaman (OS)

An Ordinary Seaman is an entry-level rank in the deck department. His duty is very much like the
ABs. However, he requires much supervision, especially the new ones. Hence, he normally works
with an experienced AB.
An ordinary seaman is not allowed to steer the ship even if they have the necessary certificates.
He is also not permitted to perform working aloft and tank entries.

However, he is permitted to do those things with direct supervision of a responsible crew or an

His main duty is assisting the ABs while learning about the job so they can be ready to get a
promotion.

An OS’s salary is about USD1,200.00.

Deck Cadet

On some shipboard organizations, the Deck Cadet is positioned just before the Third Officer.
However, some organizational charts place him at the bottom of every department either deck or
engine.

A Deck Cadet’s duties depend on the culture of the ship. On some vessels, he spends his time
mostly on deck doing maintenance together with the ratings.

Meanwhile, some ships assign deck cadets only on the bridge. Still, a few follow the program laid
out in their Training Record Book.

The main duty of a Cadet is training. He must learn the different jobs on board. He can achieve this
through immersion.

Therefore, his training supervisor assigns him together with the officers. Additionally, he also
sends him to the Pumpman and Bosun to get an overview of the various jobs on deck.

A Cadet’s salary is about USD600.00.

Engine Department
The engineering department is the term used referring to the crew working below deck or inside
the engine room.

A ship is equipped with various machines, electrical equipment, and a propulsion system. It is the
engine crew’s job to keep them running and in good working order.

Their work includes inspection, maintenance, and repair of all machinery. These include the main
engine which is the heart of the ship.

Additionally, they are also in charge of power generators, air-conditioning plants, sewage systems,
water distillation units, lighting, and electrical fixtures, and cooling units.

We can categorize the Engine Department into two: the licensed members called the marine
engineers and the unlicensed crew called engine ratings.

Chief Engineer (C/E)

The head of the shipboard engineering department is the Chief Engineer (C/E). He is overall in
charge of engine room safety, machinery operation, maintenance, bunkering, and technical
administration.

Specifically, he keeps very much attention to the paper works, checklists, and managerial tasks
within his departments. He answers directly to the Captain.

Additionally, he is responsible that the Engineers make proper entries into the Oil Record Book
and Engine Log Book.

The Chief Engineer also monitors the fuel and lube oil consumption. This means that the
machinery in operation must achieve good and safe performance with economical consumption.

His salary is about USD7,500 to USD 15,000 depending on the ship type.

Second Engineer (2/E)

Sometimes called First Assistant Engineer (1AE), the Second Engineer is the rank below Chief
Engineer. He is the Executive Officer of the ship’s Engine Department.
Since the Chief Engineer is buried with paper works, the Second Engineer does the planning,
scheduling, delegating, and directing of the maintenance plan inside the engine room.

Of course, those jobs must be in consultation with the Chief Engineer.

As the second in command, he earns USD8,000.00 on average every month.

Third Engineer (3/E)

The 3rd Engineer is responsible to the Second Engineer for normal maintenance and watchkeeping
duties. In other ships, he is also called Second Assistant Engineer (2AE).

He is responsible for the general maintenance of the machinery and equipment. Under the
supervision of the 2nd Engineer, he ensures that there are sufficient bunkers in the day tanks.

Additionally, his work includes the upkeep of the main proportion, engines, boilers, and diesel
generators as per the Planned Maintenance System (PMS).

A Third Engineer’s salary is between USD2,500 to USD5,000 a month depending on the company.
Fourth Engineer (4/E)

A 4th Engineer’s job includes studying and practicing the 3rd Engr.’s duties. His day starts with a
toolbox meeting with the other engineers and crew. The Second Engineer normally gives him the
job for the day.

As the lowest engineer ranking on board, some of his duties include the maintenance of purifiers,
air compressors, sewage treatment, and general maintenance.

His responsibilities may overlap or interchange with the other engineers due to different company
regulations.

In some ships without an electrician, he is also in charge of electrical fixtures, water systems, and
the sounding of bilges and tanks.
Sometimes referred to as 3rd Assistant Engineer (3AE), his salary is similar to that of the Third
Officer. It is about USD2,000 to USD4,500.

Electrician or Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

The Electrician is one of the most vital technical ranks on board. Since automation mostly runs a
ship, an ETO plays a major role in keeping them running at all times.

In the vessel’s organizational hierarchy, the electrician reports directly to the Chief Engineer. He
normally does not have a watch but is a day worker and can be called any time.

He also works in the deck department, especially with the Chief Officer.

An ETO’s job includes UMS tests schedules, alarms tests (fire, smoke, heat), battery checks, and
refrigeration and air-conditioning units.

But that’s not all. Nearly all sorts of electronics and electrical problems even those found inside
the bridge is a job for an electrician.

Sometimes called the Electrical Engineer, his pay starts at USD2,000 to USD8,000 depending on
the ship type and company.

Fitter

A Fitter’s job on board is well, fitting a ship. But that’s too broad and too narrow at the same time.
Fitters are highly skilled workers and are usually found inside the engine workshop. They are
strong and adept in using various measuring tools.

Their expertise includes riveting, grinding, welding, drilling, and the use of lathe machines. They
are very good at assembling, disassembling, reassembling, and building new parts of a machine.
Fitters are under the direct supervision of the Second Engineer which means that’s where he gets
his jobs. Some of their works include repairs of piping systems, plumbing, fitting, and hot works.
They also help out the engineers maintain their machinery.

On average, Fitters earn USD2,000 a month which is similar to the Bosun.

Motorman/ Oiler

A Motorman or Oiler’s job includes inspection and maintenance of pumps, motors, turbines, and
condensers on board. His care for these equipment involves greasing, lubricating, de-rusting, and
painting if necessary.

He keeps a record of his tasks and is directly responsible for the Second Engineer. Like the rest of
the deck ratings, he also helps make the engine room clean and in good order. On some ships, his
responsibility includes sounding bilges and bunker tanks.

Both the Oiler and Motorman take part during bunkering operations.
With a salary between USD1,300 to USD2,000, you can’t help but notice that they have the same
pay and job description as the Oiler.

Wiper

The Wiper is the Ordinary Seaman’s counterpart in the engine room. His job mainly supports those
ranks above him.

On most occasions, he is in charge of the general cleanliness of the engine room, engine
workshop, and engine control room.

He can be seen assisting the engineers in cleaning the purifiers, dismantling motors, and doing
routine maintenance.

Wipers must study and learn the jobs of Oilers, Motormen, and Fitters. With enough knowledge
and experience, he can be promoted to those levels.

Engine Cadet

Like the Deck Cadet, an Engine Cadet’s duty is mainly to learn the different jobs in the Engine
department. The Second Engineer normally supervise his training scheme.

Because of the various jobs in the engine room, he is normally paired with the Engineers,
electricians, and even the ratings.

A cadet must absorb the learning he encounters in his work. He is a trainee to become an engineer
even though his rank is below the engine department’s organizational diagram.

A Cadet’s salary is about USD600.00.

Steward Department
In most merchant vessels, the Steward department comprises the smallest number of crew in the
shipboard organization.

But that doesn’t mean they’re less important. In fact, the Steward Department is the “backbone”
of the organizational structure. Let’s take a look at what they do.

Sometimes, they are also called the Galley Catering Department. Their main job is to prepare
meals for the crew. Not just ordinary meals but delicious and healthy ones.

The Messroom is the only place where all the crew is usually gathered. A tasty meal after a hard
day’s job often gets the crew inspired for the next day.

Chief Steward

A chief steward is the highest-ranking member of the galley department. He directs and supervises
the planning and preparation of meals. Moreover, he is responsible for cost control and requisition
of provisions.

Chief Cook

Some ships employ only a chief steward or chief cook but the same person performs both the job
of the cook and steward. This scheme is usually part of a cost-cutting strategy, especially on
merchant ships where the crew is only small.

A Chief Cook’s job is to prepare and cook the meals for the crew. He maintains the cleanliness and
orderliness inside the galley and the provision room.

His duty also overlaps with the Chief Steward. He also bakes bread and cakes for the crew.

Chief Steward and Cook’s salary is about USD1,900.

Messman

While the Officers and Engineers are busy with their work, the Messman is the guy in charge of
cleaning their cabins.
His area of expertise is inside the Mess hall where he keeps it clean and orderly. Before meals, he
sets the table and prepares the plates, utensils, and chairs and ensures that the ketchup is not
empty.

He is also in charge of washing the dishes and filling the fridge with milk, juice, yogurt, bread, and
other beverages that the crew needs.

His salary is expected at around USD 1,400.00.