2023 OCQP BG - janvier 2023

- The Master who is responsible for the crew, ship and cargo. The role of the Master is to ensure
the safe and efficient management of the vessel to the satisfaction of the Owners and the
Charterer and to act as the Company Representative.
• The responsibilities of the Master/ OIM include, but are not limited to, the Health, Safety,
Security and Welfare of all personnel working on-board and the protection of the
environment.
• The Master is responsible for the operation of the vessel, and all other plant and equipment
within safe limits and in accordance with the terms of the contract. They will notify the
owner of the consequences of deviating from the contract requirements.
• They are responsible for maintaining operational records and files on board and for ensuring
that the certification is always kept up to date.
• The Master is responsible for the implementation of the Shipboard Management System.
They shall, without delay, report to the Company possible modifications that they consider
necessary to ensure safety and environmental protection. They are also responsible for
regularly reviewing the system with a view to identifying and recommending improvements.
• The function of the Master is to evaluate all situations, whether normal or of an emergency
nature, and to take proper actions to avoid or minimise potential damages or losses, with
special regards to life.
• All decisions and actions should be based on the safety of personnel and equipment and to
further the interests of the Company and the Client.
• The Master has the overall responsibility for the safety and integrity of the vessel and for the
safety and discipline of the persons on board.
• The Master is responsible for all reporting to appropriate authorities as required by law.

- The Chief mate is a key position on the ship, one who assists master and shore management and
helps in training crew and juniors. Chief Officer duties:
• Performing watch duties.
• Responsible for the entire cargo operation in (loading, unloading, and cargo planning).
• In-charge for maintenance of cargo gears and cargo carried on board ship.
• Accountability of the stability of the ship.
• Maintenance of the ship’s hull and accommodation as well as lifesaving and firefighting
appliances.
• Scheduling and distributing work to deck crew.
• Responsible for garbage management for the deck and accommodation part of the ship.
• In charge of the ballast and de-ballasting operation done on board.
• Training in all regulations and conventions are to be carried out by the chief officer.
• To look after supply, overtime, … and other paperwork on behalf of shore management.
• Responsible for the welfare of the crew on board ship.

- The Deck Officers, in charge of navigation, safety, first aid, etc.

On watch: ensure that the ship complies with COLREGS and all the orders of the master are followed.
The three main duties of an officer on watch (OOW) can be classified under Navigation, Watch keeping
& GMDSS radio watch keeping

• Check navigational equipment in use at regular interval of time

• Following a proper navigation plan to avoid any kind of collision according to COLREGS
• Must know how to use Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) & ECDIS

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2023 OCQP BG - janvier 2023

• Prepare, execute, and monitor a safe passage plan

• Ensure handing over of the watch is done according to shipboard procedures
• Asking for support whenever required & contact master when need arise
• Should be fully aware of all safety equipment on board ship
• Must know how to use all equipment meant for prevention of pollution and safety of lives
• Should not leave the bridge unattended during his watch

Off watch:

• Ensure the follow up of its service – navigation, hospital, safety

- The Chief engineer who is responsible for all technical equipment on board. The Chief Engineer
has direct and indirect supervisory authority over the Work of the engine room crew.
• The primary function of the Chief Engineer is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the
Engine Department and proper maintenance of vessel, plant and equipment.
• Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the keeping of operational standard and
the maintenance and repair of hull, structure and all mechanical and electrical equipment.
• The responsibilities of the Chief Engineer are to administer the Planned Maintenance System.
The Chief Engineer shall administer the SMS budget including purchasing and ensure
budgetary control is maintained by all departments (on huge offshore vessels).
• Their responsibilities also include the planning and logging of working hours for the engine
room crew and the organisation of the onboard safety-training programme for emergency in
close co-operation with the Chief Officer and the Safety Officer.
• The Chief Engineer is responsible for the maintenance of technical operation records and
files and for keeping a sufficient stock of bunkers and lubricants as well as ordering according
to Company Procedures.
• The Chief Engineer's responsibilities also include the evaluation of reported nonconformity,
necessary corrective actions and verifications, in co-operation with the Master/ C/O.

- The Second engineer, in charge of engine operations, maintenance and repairs. In the event of
the Chief Engineer becoming incapacitated, the Second Engineer is to assume the role of the
Chief Engineer.

• Safety: Second engineer is responsible for risk assessment, briefing and safety training of the
entire engine crew.
• Pollution Prevention: He is the person in-charge of Pollution prevention equipment onboard
like separators, sewage plant, incinerator etc. He is also responsible for all oil transfer
operations carried out onboard including bunkering. Second engineer must keep the engine
room bilge clean of oil and oily water. All tank parameters are to be recorded for sludge and
bilge system.

• Engine Room Management: Managing the engine room staff and carrying out duties of the
engine room (Planned maintenance system - PMS). He directly reports to the chief engineer.
He distributes and assigns duties to all the engine crew members.
• Operation and Maintenance of Machinery: The second engineer is responsible for the
maintenance of all the engine room and deck machinery but specially of propulsion and
relevant equipment. He is responsible to make sure all the machineries and safety systems
are working safely and efficiently.

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2023 OCQP BG - janvier 2023

• Documentation: First, he must keep and update the records keeping e.g. log book and
maintain the spares for engine room machineries.
He’s in charge of oil inventory.

- Engineers: Usually, only one engineer is below the Second Engineer: the 3rd engineer.

- The Bosun (sometimes written Boatswain).

The main duties of bosuns revolve in the deck area of the ship. The Bosun is a member of the
deck department and his duty, among others, is to supervise the deck crew of the vessel. The
bosun is also involved, under the purview of the Chief Officer, in the planning, scheduling, and
assigning of work to the deck crew on the ship. Bosun’s duties:
• Planning the daily work schedule under the purview of the Chief Officer and assigning
the required work to the appropriate members of the deck crew.
• Seeing that the work assigned to the crew is realized to the end.
• Maintaining the deck of the ship; tasks involve chipping, painting, buffing etc.
• Being thorough with the firefighting aspects of the ship
• Responsible for the ship’s deck stores, paint locker & Bosun store
• Ensuring that the mooring operations, anchoring or the vessel is carried out efficiently

- A number of Ratings or Deckhands who carry out the tasks decided by the Chief mate or the
Bosun.
- An able seaman (AB) is a seaman and member of the deck department with more than two
years' experience at sea. He may work as a watch stander, a day worker, or a combination of
these roles.
- The Cook, in charge of meals for the crew members.
- The Steward, in charge of cleaning some cabins and who sometimes assists the cook.
- Cadets, trainees are young people in a training period, in order to become officers and seamen.

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