Ship Crew Ranks and Responsibilities on a Vessel

Shipboard Crew Positions

The crew of a vessel is organized into a clear hierarchy, divided by department. Below is a summary of various positions.

Maritime Crew Roles and Responsibilities

Master

The Master, or Captain, is the highest officer aboard and has overall command of the ship. They are responsible for the safety, efficiency, and commercial feasibility of the vessel. Key duties include:

• Overseeing all ship operations.
• Handling accounting and bookkeeping.
• Taking command during difficult or dangerous maneuvers.
• Receiving and implementing instructions from the company office.
• Managing navigational duties at sea and cargo operations in port.

First Mate (Chief Officer)

As the ship's medical officer, the First Mate is directly responsible for all deck operations, including cargo stowage and maintenance.

Second Mate

The Second Mate is the navigational officer. They are responsible for keeping the charts up to date and monitoring all navigation equipment.

Third Mate

The Third Mate is responsible for the life-saving equipment, ensuring all emergency survival gear is in proper working order.

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

ETOs are responsible for the maintenance and testing of all electrical equipment on the ship, including systems in the engine room, on the bridge, for refrigeration, and in passenger areas. ETOs play a particularly important role on cruise ships, where they manage all electrical equipment for both the ship and its passenger areas.

Bosun (Boatswain)

The Bosun is responsible for supervising the crew’s work. They receive working orders from the First Mate and pass them on to the Able Seamen (AB) and Ordinary Seamen.

Able Seaman (AB)

Able Seamen stand watch, during which they steer the vessel, stand lookout, assist the mate on watch, and make rounds of the ship to ensure that all is in order.

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the functioning of all mechanical equipment on the ship. They report to the Master for the Engine Department and also look after the day-to-day running of the department.

First Engineer

The First Engineer is responsible for handling engine maintenance. They oversee the maintenance of the engine room, deck, and other machinery.

Second Engineer

The Second Engineer is responsible for the ship's auxiliary equipment.

Third Engineer

The Third Engineer maintains the ship's lighting fixtures.

Pumpman

On tankers, the Pumpman operates pumps to load and discharge petroleum products.

Storekeeper

The Storekeeper is responsible for the storeroom and its inventory.

Greaser (Oiler)

The main function of Greasers is to keep the engine, pumps, and other machinery well-greased and lubricated.

Motorman

A Motorman, also known as a Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED), is the senior-most rating in the engine room. Motormen are responsible for the day-to-day cleaning, repair, and routine maintenance of the engine room. They perform a variety of tasks connected with the maintenance and repair of equipment in the engine room, fireroom, machine shop, ice-machine room, and steering-engine room.

Fitter

A Fitter is responsible for all necessary structural repair work on a ship and is part of the shipbuilding team. Their duties include cutting and attaching the large sheets of metal that make up the hull. This job requires skills in riveting and welding. Working under the directives of the Second Engineer or the Chief Engineer, Fitters are considered auxiliary members of the engine room crew.

Fireman (Stoker)

A Fireman is a person who tends the fire for a boiler, which may be used for heating a building or powering a steam engine. Much of the job involves hard physical labor, such as shoveling fuel (typically coal) into the boiler's firebox.

Purser

The Purser is the officer in charge of keeping accounts and managing the payment of officers and crew.

Chief Steward

The Chief Steward orders food supplies and prepares the menus for the crew.

Steward

A Steward cleans the galley and mess halls, sets tables, and performs other service duties.

Chief Cook

The Chief Cook directs and participates in the preparation and serving of meals. They determine the timing and sequence of operations required to meet serving times and inspect the galley and equipment for cleanliness and proper food storage.

Cooks

Cooks are responsible for preparing all meals for the crew and passengers on board the ship.

Galley Boy

The Galley Boy assists the cook and baker with their duties.

Common Maritime Role Synonyms

• Master: Captain
• Bosun: Boatswain
• Fitter: Welder
• Fireman: Stoker, Boilerman
• Crew: Manning, Complement
• Officer: Mate
• Greaser: Oiler
• Steersman: Quartermaster, Helmsman, Wheeler
• Seaman: Deck Boy, Deck Hand