Published on July 27th 2024
International trade relies on the Merchant Navy, sometimes called the commercial navy. Huge fleets of cargo ships move an amazing amount of goods across seas. They are what keep the world's economy going. An efficient crew working in tandem across departments is essential for the smooth operation of any merchant vessel. This blog posts discuss 7 important departments in the merchant navy and what they do.
Before getting into the details, let's get a good idea of what is merchant navy. The main thing they do is move commercial cargo across foreign waters in a safe and efficient way. Merchant ships bring a lot of different goods, from fuel and food to raw materials and finished goods.
The hierarchy in merchant navy is set up to make sure everything runs smoothly and there are clear lines of command. There is no one more responsible than the Captain for keeping the ship and its people safe. The ship's efficient operation is the result of the combined efforts of the several departments reporting to the captain, each of which has its own set of officers and ratings.
Merchant navy roles include a lot of different duties. A lot of work goes into each area, from navigating the huge oceans to keeping complicated machinery running and making sure the crew is safe.
The following are the seven departments in merchant navy and the vital roles they play:
The Deck Department is in charge of making sure the ship can navigate safely and function properly. They take care of things like
The engines and other gear on the ship depend on this department to keep them running smoothly. The Engine Department in the merchant ship has a Chief Engineer, a Second Engineer, a Third Engineer, a Fourth Engineer, a Motorman, and Engine Ratings (Fitter, Oiler). The Engine Department is responsible for:
The Electrical Department takes care of the ship's electrical systems and tools to make sure everything works well. The Electrical Officer, also known as Electro-Technical Officer or ETO is in charge of the generators, electrical distribution systems and electronic tools that are part of the electrical systems.
The Catering Department is in charge of the crew's health and safety by making sure they have food and clean living spaces. Chief Cook is in charge of the galley (kitchen) and making food for the crew. Steward helps prepare meals, serves food and makes sure the living and dining rooms are clean
Although developments in communication technology have made dedicated radio officers less prevalent on modern ships, there are still several vessels that have them. Radio officer oversees radio connections and makes sure the ship stays in touch with other ships and shore stations. They are also in charge of emergency communications and distress signs.
In order to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew, larger vessels may have a separate medical department. The ship's Doctor gives medical care, keeps track of health data, and does regular check-ups. A Medical Officer or Nurse helps the doctor on board and takes care of small medical problems.
The ship's and its crew's safety and security must come first. Safety Officers, who are usually top officers from the deck department, run safety drills and inspections and make sure that safety rules are followed. The security officer secures access, monitors security systems and follows international security standards.
For a ship to run smoothly, each of these seven departments plays an essential function in the merchant navy. There are different jobs and duties for each department, which all work together to make maritime activities safer and more efficient. Acquiring an overview of the departments and hierarchy within the merchant navy provides a better picture of the intricate and well-organized system that ensures the smooth movement of global trade across the oceans.