Introduction: Career graph in merchant navy

• Career Graph in Merchant Navy are chiefly in two disciplines: engineering and nautical science.

Engine Department:

This Department have the entire responsibility of maintaining ships. This includes taking care of engine, pumps, hydraulics, fuel system, electricity generation plants and boilers.

Deck Department:

Deck or Navigation officers are in charge of the navigation of ships and safe handling of passengers and cargo.

Saloon Department:

On Merchant Ships, the saloon dept. is very small consisting of one cook and one steward only. However the number will be more on passenger ship or other specialized ships.

This dept. is responsible for food, cooking, general housekeeping in accommodation and provision related requirements on-board a ship.

Ranks and their Duties: 

DECK 

Captain:

Captain is the overall in-charge of a ship and is responsible for safe navigation. He is owner’s representative while dealing with port authorities, surveyors, and other professionals.

He is the first point of contact for all personnel onboard. 

Chief Officer:

C/O is responsible for safe and pollution-free cargo operation, assigns work to deck crew, and carries out deck maintenance work.

He manages personnel work and rest hours and watch duties. Chief officer watch hours are 0400-0800 & 1600-2000. 

2nd Officer:

2/O is obliged to make passage plans and ensure the proper functioning of all bridge equipment. He is responsible for chart and publications corrections and maintaining stationary inventory.

Daily Noon Report is to be prepared by the 2^nd officer. Watch hours- 0000-0400 & 1200-1600. 

3rd Officer:

3/O is responsible for LSA (Life Saving Appliances) and FFA (Fire Fighting Appliances) equipment maintenance and regular checkup. Watch hours- 0800-1200 & 2000-2400. 

Deck Cadet:

Deck cadet is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task. As a cadet, his duty is to get properly trained and aim to be a competent officer in his future career. The chief officer 

is the ship’s training officer (STO) for a cadet, he ensures the cadet’s proper training as an officer of the watch (OOW) and on deck as well.

The Cadet must help the Chief Officer with nearly all of his Paper Work, such as maintaining records, logging soundings, and so on. 

ENGINE 

Chief Engineer:

He is the overall in-charge of the engine and all other machinery on a ship. He is also in charge of refer plant in association with ETO and MARPOL equipment. 

2nd Engineer:

He is maintenance and operational in charge of the engine room. Watch hours- 0400-0800 & 1600-2000. 

3rd Engineer:

He is in charge of boilers, distillation plant, and generators. He ensures fire-fighting pumps are operational at all times. Watch hours- 0000-0400 & 1200-1600.

4th Engineer:

He is in charge of purifiers, air compressors, and all other pumps. He regularly checks the proper functioning of fire extinguishers. Watch hours- 0800-1200 & 2000-2400. 

Engine Cadet:

The engine cadet is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task on board. He provides assistance to senior engineers. 2nd engineer is the training engineer officer and the Engine cadet gets trained under him.  

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO):

He is in charge of proper working and maintenance of all electrical equipment. On container ships carrying refer containers, he is in charge of refer unit and works in association with the chief engineer. 

Trainee ETO:

Trainee ETO is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task. He provides assistance to ETO.  

Ratings provide assistance to officers and engineers. 

SALON: 

Chief cook:

Chief cook is responsible for provision inventory and doing meal planning for all officers and crew onboard. 

General Steward:

He assists the chief cook in galley work and cleaning.