What ranks are there in the Merchant Navy?

Could you tell what the ranks are in the Merchant Navy? To know them, it is important to first understand that the Merchant Navy is the fleet made up of all merchant ships - vessels used for commerce - that display the same flag or flag. These are not all the boats registered in this country, but those that fly its flag.

Likewise, the professional degrees and certificates that allow you to carry out any position on commercial ships are issued by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy. Thus, We also refer to the institution in charge of establishing the different ranks of the Merchant Navy, which we explain in the following lines.

What are the positions and hierarchies in the Merchant Navy?

The Merchant Navy is governed by ranks and hierarchies to establish responsibilities and positions in ship crews. This organization is relevant because it determines the functions of each member in their department, in addition to indicating who should be in charge of making decisions when navigating a merchant ship.

You are interested: Basic Training Course in Maritime Safety

Merchant Navy ranks by departments

Indeed, we speak of departments because in each space of a merchant ship a specific hierarchy is established -beyond the corresponding general one-, so it is convenient to understand each function separately. So that, What ranks of the Merchant Navy exist in each department of a ship and what exactly is their organization?

Machinery department

Those who work in the engine department of a merchant ship are responsible for ensuring that everything in the ship's machinery works correctly. Some of the Merchant Navy ranks associated with this space must always be present and others only on certain occasions.. This is the order of the main positions from highest to lowest hierarchy:

• Chief engineer: It is the first rank of the department, responsible for supervising and distributing the tasks to be carried out.
• First Engineer Officer: He is below the chief engineer, but performs some task assignment functions when he is not present and also supervises and guards engines.
• Second engineer officer: It is the next position in the hierarchy and is responsible for the machinery guard, in addition to being in charge of supervising the fire safety equipment.
• Third engineer officer: It is a present position when the engine guard is permanent and the chief engineer does not participate in them.

Finally, Below these ranks of the Merchant Navy we find others with punctual presence: They do not have to be present on all ships because they are in charge of very specific tasks, which are not always necessary, or because they can be carried out by another rank. We are talking about charges such as:

• Electrotechnical Officer (ETO)
• Electrician
• Mechanic
• coppersmith
• Firefighter
• Plumber or Oiler
• Machine Student (internship learning position)

Bridge and deck department

On the other hand we find Merchant Navy ranks in the bridge or deck department, the section to which those in charge of navigation on the ship belong. Here we find different positions that also correspond to a hierarchy organized as follows:

• Captain: He is the person most responsible for the navigation of the ship, although he is not directly in charge of carrying out tasks, but rather supervising them, in addition to managing communication with land and the documentation and certificates of the ship.
• First Officer of the Deck: He is below the captain, but also has great supervisory responsibility, in addition to directing the loading, unloading and stowage of goods and managing the provision of materials.
• Second deck officer: The second deck officer is responsible for the navigation watches behind the first officer, in addition to being in charge of planning the route.
• Third deck officer: He generally handles radio, medical and infirmary duties, but also substitutes for his superiors in their responsibilities when necessary.
• Cover students: They are trainee personnel who are being trained with the intention of obtaining a higher certificate, although they also belong to the officers.
• Boatswain: distributes and explains the tasks determined by the captain and the first officer and participates in their supervision, since he is the only member who is part of the master's team.
• Helmsmen: There can be from one to three helmsmen depending on the trips and the port entries and exits that the ship makes. They are subordinates and are in charge of carrying out navigation watches.
• Sailors: They are in charge of tasks such as cleaning loading and unloading areas, care and maintenance of the deck and stowage of goods, among others.
• Deck porters: perform support functions for sailors; They are subordinates, but with a lower rank than these.

Radio communications department

In it radio communications department of a ship we can find various professionals, as long as circumstances favor their presence. On smaller vessels or short transfers, communications may be carried out by some of the professionals mentioned, such as the captain or the first deck officer, for example.

When this type of professionals are required, all or only some of them may be present, although the presence order will always be the established by the Merchant Navy through the following ranks:

• First class radio electronic officer.
• Second-class radio electronic officer.
• General Operator of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
• Restricted Operator of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Chamber and food department

Finally, it is worth mentioning the chamber and catering department, which is responsible for providing service to the crew and passengers, in addition to fitting out the ship. Although there are also ranges, in this case we are talking about various assignments as:

• Overload.
• Butler.
• Gambucero.
• Stewardess.
• In charge.
• Waiter.
• Passenger assistant.
• Chef.
• Chef.
• Kitchen assistant.

In conclusion, Positions in the Merchant Navy determine the responsibility of each position, so it is a hierarchy of great relevance in terms of transportation, safety and proper functioning in the navigation of merchant ships. To access each of these levels it is essential to obtain the corresponding certificates and accumulate a large number of hours of navigation.