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The Marine Society (ID: 1909)
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The Marine Society has a remit to encourage young people to consider a career with the sea services: and has been actively doing so for 246 years! In fulfilling the requirements of its founding charter, the world's oldest seafarers' charity provides impartial guidance on the opportunities available at sea and free advice to all who seek it. To help in making career choices The Marine Society has devoted this section of its website to give a feel for what is involved in a career at sea. So read on to find out about the requirements, the rewards, the conditions, the opportunities, and - of course - the fun! 4 industry overview 4 cadet training 4 MN ranks 4 seafarer profiles 4 shipping companies 4 ship operations 4 financial help SHIPS are complex and technical. They require a range of expertise on board from the most basic and practical to very detailed organisational and management skills. Modern technology is used extensively in many areas on board the merchant ship of today, with great emphasis being placed on safety and protection of the environment. Despite the hi-tech aspects of ship operations, seafarers must remain very much in tune with the natural environment in which they operate and the basic principles of seafaring. There are normally two main departments on board Deck and Engine The deck department is concerned with the overall operation of the ship and its responsibilities include navigation, communications, cargo and stability, maintenance and safety. The engine room department is responsible for all technical services including main engine propulsion, other plant and machinery, and electrical generation The size of a ship s company varies according to the size and type of ship and area of operation, and may number from as few as six up to twenty-five and more. These crew numbers will be significantly higher on passenger ships and ferries in all departments and particularly in respect of catering and hotel services staff, depending on the number of passengers carried. Officers, both deck and engineer, are responsible for the supervision and direction of various activities in their departments, including navigational and engine room watchkeeping as appropriate, cargo work and other ship operations according to the type of vessel, as well as carrying out equipment maintenance and other practical tasks around the ship. Whilst at sea the ship is navigated from the bridge of the vessel by qualified deck officers working at watch system of 4 hours on and 8 off, or 6 on and 6 off, with similar arrangements applying to engineer officers in respect of the engine room. During their periods of duty newly qualified junior deck or engineer officers will be directly responsible for the safe operation of the ship, which may have a value of between ?3 and ?30 million in some cases, even more. Seafarers must develop the qualities of self reliance, tolerance, self discipline, personal responsibility, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and be able to cope with loneliness, homesickness and seasickness (which are likely to occur the early stages of a career at sea). Life at sea, although demanding, offers its own particular rewards and satisfactions and represents a challenging career for those with the right personal qualities and ambition. Master Usually addressed as the Captain. Is in overall command of the ship and is effectively her General Manager and ultimately responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the ship. The Master keeps no regular watches but when the ship is in pilotage or close waters or in particularly bad weather or when conditions dictate would closely oversee the navigation of the ship. He is the owner's representative and deals with charterers, port agents and cargo formalities. Holds a Class 1 Certificate or occasionally in some smaller ships a lesser certificate with a Command Endorsement. Salary scale ?32 - ?51K Chief Officer Often known as and addressed as the Mate is responsible for the day to day working of the deck crew and for the stowage, loading, carriage and discharge of the cargo with particular attention to the ship s stability. At sea he keeps the morning and evening bridge watches. Holds a Class 1 or 2 Certificate. Salary scale ?25 - ?33K Third Officer Second Officer Often known as the Second Mate. Is the ship s navigator with a prime responsibility for the upkeep of charts and passage planning. At sea he keeps the 12 4 watches and in port shares cargo watches with the Third Mate. He is often the ship s medical officer. Salary scale ?21 - ?27K Third Officer The Third Mate holds a Class 4 (OOW Deck) Certificate and assists both the Mate and Second Mate, keeps the morning and evening 8-12 watches at sea and shares cargo watches with the Second Mate in port. He is also responsible for the ships lifesaving and fire-fighting equipment. Salary scale ?20 - ?22K Chief Engineer Officer The Chief Engineer is effectively the ship s technical manager and is responsible for the operation and upkeep of all machinery, engineering systems and the structural integrity of the ship. The Chief Engineer holds a Class 1 certificate. Salary scale ?32 - ?50K Third Engineer Officer Second Engineer Officer The Second Engineer is responsible for the day to day management of the Engineers and engine-room crew. He has a prime responsibility for the main engines as well as spare gear and stores. Holds a Class 1 or Class 2 certificate. Salary scale ?25 - 33K Third Engineer Officer The Third Engineer works closely with the Second Engineer and often has prime responsibility for the ships electrical plant (alternators). He also assists with any main engine upkeep. In the absence of a dedicated Electrician or Electro-Technical Officer he would also be responsible for the ship s 'electrics'. Salary scale ?21 - ?27K Fourth Engineer Officer The Fourth Engineer holds a minimum of a Class 4 Engineering Officer of the Watch certificate and assists with all aspects of machinery upkeep. He is usually responsible for fuelling and daily monitoring of fuel supplies. Salary scale ?20 - ?22K Cadet Electrical / Electro Technical Officer Some ships carry Electrical or Electro-Technical Officers responsible for the vast amount of electrical and electronic equipment fitted. When ships are in pilotage or coastal waters or in fog or very adverse weather, the engineers may be required to keep traditional four hour watches in the engine-room. However, when on passage the machinery is monitored by data loggers and engine-rooms are classified as Unmanned Machinery Spaces, with the Engineers working a daywork routine with a designated on-call Duty Engineer. Salary scale ?23 - ?28K Cadet Both Deck & Engineer Cadets follow a structured training programme with academic studies ashore coupled with practical experience afloat. Whilst onboard they are required to complete various assignments towards their first 'OOW' Deck or Engineer Certificate and both assist and understudy the ship s officers in their duties. Salary scale ?5 - ?8K Catering Officer, Purser, Chief Steward Depending on the business of the ship, the catering staff are managed by a Purser or Catering Officer who is responsible for the ship s 'hotel services' and paperwork. Salary scale ?21K - ?30K Chef Deck Rating Under the Bosun (Chief Petty Officer - insignia pictured right) the Deck Ratings - Able Seamen (SG1) - carry out routine upkeep work and provide the helmsmen and lookouts whilst the ship is at sea. Salary scale ?16 - ?21K Engineroom Rating Under the Petty Officer (Motorman) are the engine-room ratings who assist the engineers with machinery upkeep and watchkeeping. Salary scale ?16 - ?21K Cooks and Stewards Provide the 'hotel services' vital to the wellbeing of all onboard. Salary scale ?16 - ?20K The Marine Society has a remit to encourage young people to consider a career with the sea services: and has been actively doing so for 246 years! The Marine Society