Figured I'd talk about the crew this week, since many of you might not know how a ship like this is crewed.
There are three departments aboard most ships, Deck, Engine, and Steward. The Deck department is responsible for navigation, cargo, and the management of the ship. The Engine department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the ship's machinery. The Steward department is responsible for preparing meals, cleaning, and hotel functions.
There are 13 positions in the Deck department. Here they are:
1. Master
2. Chief Mate
3. 2nd Mate
4. 3rd Mate
5. Radio Officer
6. Bosun
7-11. AB
12. OS
13. Deck Cadet
The Master is the Captain of the vessel. He is responsible for everyone on the vessel, and the articles (the agreement under which all sailors are bound to the vessel) are an agreement with him.
The Mates each stand a navigation watch, either 8-12 (AM and PM), 12-4 (ditto), or 4-8. Typically, the Chief Mate is the 4-8 watch, the 2nd is the 12-4 and the 3rd is the 8-12. They are responsible for the navigation of the vessel and cargo on their watch, and each has other specific duties as well, for example, the 2nd makes sure all the clocks are set to match the current time zone, and the 3rd operates the slop chest (a small general store on board with toiletries, snacks, and souvenirs that is open once a week).
The Radio Officer is responsible for all of the ships communications equipment. These positions have been disappearing over the years, but there is some sign of a resurgence. REOs were originally on board because the radio equipment was added after the ship was built and so was in a location remote from the pilothouse, requiring someone to man the radio and report to the bridge. However, smaller equipment and more modern vessels means that there has been less need for this part of the job. In recent years, though, computer technology and communications equipment like satellite email and internet services have required more specialized services. The jury is still out on the fate of the Radio Officer's, but I could see a need as more systems are automated and computer-based.
The Bosun is in charge of the deck gang. He is not an officer, but is still a supervisor, similar to a foreman on a job site, or a Seargeant in the Army. The ABs (Able-bodied Seamen) and the OS (Ordinary Seaman) work under the direction of the Bosun, although they are often assigned to watches as helmsmen. The do basic vessel maintenance like painting and cleaning, as well as mooring and cargo operations.
The Engine department has 12 positions
1. Chief Engineer
2. 1st Assistant Engineer
3. 2nd A/E
4. 3rd A/E #1
5. 3rd A/E #2
6. Electrician
7. Reeferman
8-10. Jr. Engineer
11. Wiper
12. Engine Cadet
The Chief is the head of the Engine department and spends a lot of his time doing paperwork. He is also required to be in the engine room during any maneuvering situations.
The 1st Assistant is the lead working engineer. He typically works days from 8-5 and sets the worklist for the other engineers, along with doing general maintenance all over the ship. He is responsible for the throttles during maneuvering.
The other Assistant Engineers each stand a watch, overseeing the plant while underway and doing repairs and maintenance to the plant. Each A/E is responsible for the entire plant on his watch, but they also have specific parts they are in charge of, for example, one of the 3rds looks after the evaporator and operates the sootblowers, the 2nd is responsible for the boilers and fueling, etc.
The Electrician (he's actually called the Chief Electrician although he's the only one) is responsible for electrical work. The Refrigeration Technician works not only on the ship's refrigeration and AC system but more importantly on the container refrigeration systems that protect refrigerated cargo.
The Jr. Engineers each work on a watch and assist the Engineer on Watch as directed. They typically take readings from equipment, add oil to machinery and other odd jobs.
The Wiper is responsible for cleaning and grunt work in the engine room. He works days, and is usually very dirty by the end of it.
The Steward department has 4 positions
Chief Steward
Chief Cook
Asst. Cook
Officer's BR
The Chief Steward heads the department, plans the menus, orders supplies, and oversees all galley operations. The Chief Cook is responsible for cooking most of the meals. The Asst. cook helps with salad bar and dessert as well as cleaning dishes. I don't have any idea what the Officer's BR billet is reserved for. We don't have the room filled currently and I'm guessing it is a spare room that needed to be assigned to some department.
In addition there are frequently 1 or 2 stocktenders on board, who tend to their animals, and being customers eat in the Officer's Mess. There is also an "Owner's Stateroom" that can be used for guests, company personnel, technicians, and other non-crew passengers. So altogether, when underway there are at least 27 and as many as 34 people on board.
In trip news, we got into Richmond, CA late early Wednesday morning. This is a small area north of the Bay. We were only there for about a day and I spent the morning working with the 2nd on taking on fuel, so I just went out for a drink with the Radioman and went back to the ship. We shifted the ship to Oakland later that night. The next morning I took the BART train to San Francisco and wandered around all day. Had a good time, got to catch up with some of my favorite places and find a few new ones. Then wandered back and hung out at a cool little bar in Jack London Square in Oakland. Its a historical landmark, as a little shack dive bar and the entire floor shifted to a 20 degree angle in the 1906 earthquake. Just a cool little spot to grab a beer, and weirdly enough I met a woman from Michigan there who had just moved into the area so that was cool. Took off the next day around 1 PM.
This week we got a new 2nd Engineer, so I spent most of the week on watches day and night helping him learn the plant. He had been doing mostly 1st A/E time on diesel ships, so he needed a little time to come up to speed on water chemistry, but by the end of the week he had it well in hand. Hawai'i tomorrow, and I saved money from San Francisco, so I should be in better shape to spend this time.