Staff Captain

5.100.1 Authority and Interrelation

• Officer-in-charge of the deck department and member of the shipboard management team.
• Responsible to, and reports directly to the Master.
• As the Master’s deputy, the Staff Captain is to take over command if the Master is unable to assume command or is absent from the vessel.
• Independent navigation watch keeping officer, if appointed by the Master.
• Co-ordinator (along with the Chief Engineer and Chief Officer (Safety Officer)) for anti-pollution activity.
• In-charge of Tendering operations
• Ship Security Officer (owner specific requirement may also apply).
• Supervise the overall public health efforts on board.

5.100.2 Responsibility (including but not limited to)

• Understand, abide and implement all relevant documentation, regulations, guidelines and procedures. Sign copies as instructed by the superior officer to indicate understanding of the same.
• Adviser to Master, Officers, ratings and all others onboard on all matters affecting safety & health. In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), In-charge of maintaining the accident prevention log. Ref. to Chap. 6.5.
• Report and record any undesired events, unsafe practices or near accidents observed and attempt to rectify them if safely possible.
• Responsible for reporting of weekly performance data to the company through D55 report (eForms).
• Plan, co-ordinate and execute the operations of the deck department, delegate jobs to the crew under his supervision and regulate their working hours to comply with existing regulations.
• Issue orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner. Verify understanding and compliance to the same.
• Ensure that all jobs under his/her charge are carried out in a safe, environment conscious and efficient manner.
• Ensure that all security related duties are carried out as required by the Ship Security Plan.
• If appointed by the Master, perform navigational watch-keeping duties when at sea. During arrival or departure and mooring or unmooring, the Staff Captain shall usually be on the bridge.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), responsible for the maintenance of shipboard Life Saving Appliances (LSA) and for the upkeep of the LSA Maintenance Record (BD13). The Chief Engineer and any other crew the Chief Engineer/Master designates for the purpose shall assist him.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), responsible for the maintenance and upkeep (including inventory control) of the oil pollution equipment on board.
• Upon request assist the Chief Engineer for maintenance of FFA equipment.
• Maintain the deck logbook records for the deck department. Perform any other clerical duties assigned by the Master
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), maintain The Cargo (stores) Handling and Lifting Equipment logbook as appropriate for the Flag State. Keep register of lifting equipment, categorised as approved or not to be used (for repairs / scrap).
• Manage and control spares, stores and tools of the deck department.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), supervise ballasting and deballasting operations and to ensure that applicable anti-pollution laws and regulations are obeyed.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), ensure watertight integrity, stability and seaworthiness of the vessel at all times. Provide the Master accurate and timely feedback on such issues.
• Supervise the upkeep of accommodation spaces not under the charge of the chief engineer or the head of the catering department (HOCD).
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), supervise the upkeep, repairs and upgrading of the hull, superstructure and associated spaces and fittings under the charge of the deck department.
• Prepare for passing surveys applicable to the deck department.
• Perform medical duties as required by the Master.
• Train staff under his charge. Monitor their progress. Identify and address areas where improvement is required in conjunction with the Master. Refer Ch.6.1.
• Prepare guidelines for key procedures involving department-related systems or equipment whose failure could endanger safety and/or the environment. Ensure that his staff understand and comply with such guidelines.
• Co-ordinate with the Chief Engineer for the repair and maintenance of machinery under the deck department and the technical maintenance of fire fighting equipment and life saving equipment.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer), manage the care, storage and testing of the ship’s measuring instruments. Refer to Ch.10.5.
• Participate in shipboard searches and drills as directed by the Master and impart training to ship staff.
• Assist the Master in preparing ship-specific contingency plans as per the guidelines given in the Vessel Contingency Manual (VCM).
• Prepare plans for dealing with department-specific operational emergencies, esp. addressing issues or procedures unique to the vessel, and those that could develop into a major contingency if not attended to. Have these plans (and /or revisions) approved by the Master. Familiarise staff to these plans and conduct drills as required.
• Sign on behalf of the Company/ owner receipts and other official papers as authorised by the Master and maintain records of the same.
• Supervise all jobs carried out by the crew or contractors within his area of responsibility.
• Review the shipboard management system during his tenure and provide inputs for the Shipboard Management Systems Review (refer Ch.12.2).
• Encourage input to the Shipboard Management System Review from the department staff.
• In the absence of a Chief Officer (Safety Officer),/Environmental Officer, supervise shipboard waste management and maintain records as required by relevant regulations. Refer to garbage management plan and Ch.7.18 for further details.
• Has the authority to issue permits to work.
• To understudy the Master and perform other duties as required by the Master within the scope of the rank.
• Maintain an awareness of environmental and energy efficiency aspects and impacts as relevant to your role (where applicable to the vessel ISO accreditation standard).