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1UNIT 2: THE CREW

2PEOPLE WORKING ON BOARD A VESSEL
3
4Objectives
5 Describing crew positions and their tasks
6 Practicing ordinal numbers
7 Telling the time
8 Telling a date
9 Talking about functions and responsibilities
10 Referring to time
11
12
13Captain: Good Morning/ Good afternoon. This is Captain Ramírez,
14Vaitiare
15Agent: Hello, Sir. Blue Ocean Agents. Do you have the crew list/ the
16telex?
17Captain: Yes, I do/ No, I don’t
18Agent: OK, please read the names and nationalities to me
19Captain: Certainly. Stand by.
20
21
22 NAME RANK NATIONALITY
23_ Yañez, Iván Pumpman Chilean_
24
25_ San Martin, Williams Bosun Chilean
26
27_ Matamala, Javier First engineer Chilean
28
29
30Agent: Repeat the second name, please
31Captain: Yañez, like Yankee, Alfa, Kilo, Echo,Echo
32Agent: Thank you. That’s all. Goodbye/ Have a Good
33day
34
35
36
37LEARNING POINT: ORDINAL NUMBERS
38
39
40
411 2nd Officer Or 3rd Officer
422 4th Engineer Or 4 engineers
433 3 ships Or 2 ships
444 3rd Officer Or Radio Officer
455 3rd Assistant Engineer Or 1st Assistant Engineer
46
47
48
49LEARNING POINT: WHAT’S THE DATE?
50
51
52Day Month Year
53The third of March Nineteen ninety-seven 3 /
543 / 97 7
55
56
571 The fifth of March nineteen eighty-two
582 The eleventh of September nineteen seventy-seven
593 The twentieth of December two thousand and ten
604 The seventeenth of July nineteen sixty-eight
615 The seventh of may nineteen ninety
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2
3
4
5Now write
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86 Your date of birth ……August 6th 1992………………………………………….
97 The date today …………April 2nd 2012……( Today´s date is )
10…………………………………….
118 The date of departure of your next voyage ……It will be in September 3 rd
122012………………………….
13
14
15Complete the following sentences. They are all negative. Use
16do not (don’t) or does not (doesn’t) with the verb.
17
181 The 3rd Officer ___doesn`t get up_ at 0800. He gets up at 0700
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202 I _don`t drink ____ coffee. I drink tea.
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223 The bosun ____doesn´t eat_______ lunch at noon. He eats lunch at 1300
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244 The ratings _don`t sleep_________ after breakfast. They sleep after lunch.
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265 The Chief Engineer _doesn´t go___________ to the bridge. He goes to the
27engine room.
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296 We __don´t hand over___________ at 0900. We hand over at 0800.
30
31
32WHAT TIME DOES THE CAPTAIN HAVE DINNER?
33What are the questions? Begin each question with when or what
34time?
35
361 What time do you go to bed? I go to bed at 2230
372 He has dinner at 1800
383 I watch TV in the evening.
394 We get up at 0900
405 I start work at 1600
416 They hand over at 1500
427 He drinks coffee at 1100
438 I listen to music in the afternoon
44
45
465
47THE CREW AND ITS TASKS
48
49The Marina is now well on the way towards the Port of Antwerp in
50Belgium, which is her first port of call on the route. It is high time we took a
51closer look at the Marina’s crew and their tasks on board.
52
53We shall let them tell us what they do on the watch to find out what life and
54work are like on a modern merchant vessel – what maritime careers really
55involve and require. The crew on a ship is divided into three departments:
56
57o The Master
58o The Deck Department
59o The Engine Department
60o The Steward’s Department
61
62THE MASTER
63Responsibility
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1We find the Master of the ship, Captain Andrew James on the bridge.
2
3- Good morning Captain, we would like to ask you a few questions. How
4would you describe the Captain’s or Master’s role on a modern ship today?
5- Well, first of all you might say that it involves an enormous
6responsibility. The Captain is in charge of everything and everyone on
7board. He has complete responsibility for running the ship while at sea
8and for the safety of the crew, passengers and cargo. Whenever
9there is an emergency or a serious problem of any kind I will be called
10upon. I do not stand a watch but in reality I am on duty 24 hours a day. I’ll
11be on the bridge, conning the ship in foul weather or fog until the danger
12is over, for however long it takes, be it 24, 38 or 72 hours, and no matter
13how tired or exhausted I am. I am also the last to abandon ship in case of a
14disaster.
15
16Supervision
17The Master of a ship is not actually a crew member. But I have to supervise
18the work of any other officer or crew member on board. I direct or
19oversee crew members who steer the vessel, determine its position,
20communicate with other vessels, operate and overhaul engines, perform
21maintenance, handle lines or operate vessel equipment of any kind. This
22means that, in theory, I have to be as familiar with the work done by
23stewards and cooks in the Catering department, engineers and
24pumpmen (on a tanker) in the Engine department as I am with the
25work of the Mates on the bridge and the Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen
26and other deckhands in the Deck department. All this makes me into a
27kind of Personnel Manager – it is important to maintain a good morale,
28team spirit and atmosphere on board.
29
30Coordination
31The Master of a merchant vessel is the agent of the company that owns the
32ship. This means that he represents the company business in every
33operation both at sea and in port. A Captain has to be able to coordinate
34both of these aspects. All this involves quite a lot of paper work. When we
35are at sea, my bridge officers and myself maintain the Ship’s Log and the
36records of the ship’s movements. Then there are the Ship’s Papers such as
37the Certificate of Registry, the Muster Roll or Crew List etc. and the
38documents dealing with loading and unloading of the ship; the Bill of
39Lading, the Cargo Manifest, the Stowage Plan, the Dangerous Goods
40Stowage Plan, the Loading
41and Discharging plan. There are quite a number of documents concerning
42the ship’s safety and security, certificates issued by Classification Societies
43and other Maritime Authorities. They are all granted by the ship’s Flag
44State. This bureaucracy is increasing all the time. Finally there are the
45documents for clearance with port authorities and Port State Control.
46Today port security regulations have become very strict – the ISPS Code
47has increased our work as well.
48
49
50THE CHIEF OFFICER / THE CHIEF MATE – DUTIES
51Second in Command
52The Chief Officer or the Chief Mate is the head of the Deck department.
53This means that I am responsible to the Master in all matters related to
54the Deck department. I am also the Captain’s assistant in assigning
55duties to the deck crew and in managing personnel. I am second in
56command under the Master and will take command in the event of the
57Master’s death or inability to command the ship.
58
59On the watch
60
61I stand a watch on the bridge like the other mates when the ship is at sea.
62Navigating the ship is the primary responsibility of all the Deck Officers.
63My watch is usually the 4-8 watch, and involves all the ordinary work
64on the bridge; seeing that the correct course is being steered, posting
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1radar and visual lookouts and monitoring the navigational equipment and
2their readings. Working together with the deck crew I plan and supervise
3the loading and unloading of the cargo and I am responsible for its safe
4delivery. I also have to make sure that Deck department
5equipment like all loading gear, cranes, ramps, doors, lifts and hoses are in
6good working order. I make sure that deck personnel maintain the
7mooring equipment,like the windlass, anchors, cables, wires and
8hawsers.
9
10THE FIRST OFFICER
11
12Fire-fighting drills and boat drills
13My most important task is, naturally, navigation - to stand a watch and
14navigate the ship safely. I am the ship’s damage control, safety officer and
15training officer. This means that I have to make sure that the station bill
16and the muster bill are properly prepared and posted and that the
17firefighting equipment and the life-saving equipment are accessible and
18operational. I see to it that the crew is well trained in using it and I am
19in charge on deck during fire and boat drills. It is
20extremely important that the crew know their emergency (or muster)
21stations and duties. In a real emergency I have to take charge of the whole
22scene.
23
24THE SECOND OFFICER
25
26The Second Officer or Second Mate is, traditionally, the ship’s
27navigational officer. I have to ensure that bridge electronics,
28navigational and alarm systems, and ship’s lights are in good working
29order. I regularly check bridge instruments and make sure that up-to-
30date charts and navigational publications are available on board. I
31also correct the charts and update the navigational publications if
32necessary. I provide the Master with information on transit routes to ports of
33call including the Sailing Directions, Coast Pilot, Light List and Tide and
34Current Tables
35and any other source of information that might be required before
36entering or leaving port. Finally, I plot the voyage track and work out
37the course. In the event of GPS failure I take terrestrial or celestial
38fixes for positioning. I assist the Captain in taking the ship in and out of
39ports. In addition to all this I am also the ship’s medical officer.
40
41The Able Seaman
42
43I must have a thorough knowledge of, and be able to use, all deck gear and
44equipment. I carry out maintenance of deck rigging and machinery such as
45the loading gear, cranes, ramps, doors, lifts and hoses and the mooring
46equipment, such as the windlass, anchors, cables, wires and hawsers. In all
47these tasks I am assisted by the ordinary seamen or other deckhands, who
48also do much of the work. We clean, chip, scrape, wirebrush, prime,
49and/or paint the hull, bulkheads, decks,
50passageways, deck machinery, or spaces, as directed. In port I handle
51lines and assist with the loading and discharging of cargo, and see to it that
52the cargo holds are cleaned and in operational condition. I stand a watch
53when the ship is underway as quartermaster or helmsman and steer the
54ship under the direct orders of the deck officers. This means I have
55to understand steering commands, have certain knowledge of nautical
56terms, Rules of the Road, fog and distress signals,
57running lights, the compass etc. I carry out important tasks in
58emergencies. During a fire, for example, I operate firefighting
59equipment. If the order to abandon ship is given I assist in the
60releasing and launching of lifeboats and life-rafts. In short my tasks
61are many-sided and interesting.
62
63THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT
64THE CHIEF ENGINEER
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1
2I am the head of the Engine Department and am responsible for
3personnel and the proper operation, maintenance, and safety of the
4vessel’s propulsion system, power generation system and all auxiliary
5machinery and spaces. I have to decide on effective repairs and I report
6defects that may affect the ship’s performance to the Master. I also
7advise the Master on all matters relating to machinery usage, fuel
8requirements and an overall economical use of supplies and stores. I
9order, receive, and maintain a proper inventory of spare parts and supplies
10and supervise bunkering. I see to it that fuel and water is monitored daily. I
11assign and supervise the work done by engine department personnel. I set
12engine room watches, specify duties, and make sure that watches are
13maintained.
14
15A MARINE ENGINEER
16
17Today various specialists make up the staff working in the Engine
18Department. But the Marine Engineer or Chief Electrician still has to be “a
19jack of all trades”. It is the Engineer or Electrician in charge that has to
20know all about the mechanical and electrical engineering on board. He has
21got to have the know-how to service the engines and keep them running in
22good condition; when the ship is at sea, any breakdown in the power
23system, machinery, piping, or steel structure will have to be repaired as
24best as can be done without any help from outside. A total blackout or
25propulsion problems can be extremely dangerous for the vessel and
26its crew. If the ship starts drifting in a strong wind, it may lead to listing
27and in the worst case cause the ship to capsize. No wonder the Engine room
28has been called “the heart of the ship”. For a more detailed description of
29the work in the Engine Department, different types of engines, engine
30function, engine parts etc., go to the Advance level.
31
32
33
34
35THE CATERING DEPARTMENT CHIEF
36STEWARD / COOK
37
38I am responsible for the overall efficiency of the Catering Department. It is
39my job to see that the crew is well fed, get a healthy diet and do not have
40to go hungry for long. I buy and control the food supplies and provisions on
41board in consultation with the Master. The sea usually gives a man a
42healthy appetite and the crew on board the Marina are no exception.
43Planning a healthy diet for the crew, deciding on the menus and supervising
44meals, are some of my duties. As on so many newer ships my job as
45Chief Steward on the Marina is combined with the job of Chief Cook.
46This is no problem for me, as I was Chief Cook on a passenger ferry for a
47number of years.
48As Chief Cook I direct the preparation of meals with their various dishes. I
49do a great deal of the cooking myself, as I enjoy it very much. Assistant
50Cook prepares the raw ingredients for cooking and he does most of the
51cooking of hot meals. The main meal includes three courses – a starter, a
52main course and a dessert. The Baker does all the baking on board - an
53important task, as freshly baked bread makes all the difference. The
54Officers take their meals in the Dining Saloon and are served at the table by
55a waiter. One of my tasks is to direct the serving of meals. I also see to it
56that the galley, the mess and the living spaces on board are kept
57clean and tidy. This task is carried out by the messmates.
58
59
60
61GRAMMAR
62I) Referring to functions: A person's function, or what he does, can be
63expressed in terms of his responsibility. Study these examples:
641. The Master is responsible for the safety of the ship.
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12. The safety of the ship is the responsibility of the Master
2
3Note the addition here:
4
53. The Master is responsible to the company for the safety of the ship.
6
7Link the following (do not change their order), using whichever pattern
8above is appropriate:
9(a) Chief Officer - Master - the Deck Department.
10(b) Third Officer - the life-saving equipment.
11c) The sounding of tanks and bilges – AB
12(d) Radio Officer - radio communications.
13(e) Chief Steward - Master - the Catering Department.
14(f) The preparation of food -Ship's Cook.
15(g) Chief Engineer - the efficient running of his department,
16(h) The loading and unloading of oil - Pumpman.
17
18The function of a thing, or what it is used for, can be expressed in a number of
19ways:
201.. By using the phrase: The function of... is to ... e.g. The function of a crane is
21to lift heavy objects.
222.. By using the verb to be used + for –ing e.g. A crane is used for lifting heavy
23objects.
243. By using a verb expressing the function, e.g. A crane lifts heavy objects.
254. By using a prepositional phrase introduced by with e.g. We lift heavy objects
26with a crane.
27
28Rewrite the following sentences in the three alternative ways.
29(a) The function of a thermometer is to measure temperature.
30(b) A fire extinguisher is used for putting out fires.
31(c) A windlass raises and lowers the anchors.
32(d) We measure time with a chronometer.
33
34II) Referring to time: When we want to show that one event takes place at
35the same time as another we can link these events using when, while and as.
36
371. When and while
38When tells us what time two simultaneous actions happen. It also implies
39that the two events are completed, unless otherwise stated, e.g. When the ship
40is launched, the crowds cheer.
41While tells us that one action is happening at the same time as another. It is
42often used with continuous tenses. e.g. While the men were preparing for the
43launch, the people started to arrive.
44
45Fill in the blanks with when or while as appropriate:
46(a) _____________ the Captain steps on board, he is saluted.
47(b) _____________ the main engine is being installed, the auxiliary machinery is
48fitted.
49(c) Constant checks are made, _______________ the ship is being built.
50(d) _____________ the surveyor inspects the lifeboats, he examines their
51equipment as well.
52(e) _____________ the cargo holds are being lined, the derricks are assembled.
53(f) Different types of paint are used, ___________ the ship is painted.
54
55
562. Reduced when and while clauses
57Clauses introduced by when and while can be reduced in the same way as
58clauses beginningwith after and before, that is, if the subject of the main clause
59is the same as the subject of the time clause. e.g. * While the ship is being built,
60she is constantly being tested.
61* While being built, the ship is constantly being tested.
62
63Reduce the following sentences, if it is possible to do so:
64
651. When the ship undergoes speed trials, she produces her maximum speed.
662. While the main engine is being installed, the auxiliary machinery is fitted.
673. While the engines are running, they are carefully checked.
684. When the surveyor inspects the lifeboats, he examines their equipment as well.
695. When a ship is tested, many people watch her progress.
706. While the ship covers the mile distance, she keeps a straight course.
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23. As
3When two s are closely connected, as can be used instead of while e.g. As
4the ship was leaving the harbour, she hit the jetty.As is often used when the
5action in the time clause is the cause of the action in the main clause. e.g. As the
6sun rose, the sky became lighter. (Note: Clauses introduced by as cannot be
7reduced.)
8
9Now complete these sentences with vocabulary taken from this unit:
10(a) The Second Officer is the ______________ officer, therefore he must be good
11at calculating the ship's position and course.
12(b) The careful _____________ of cargo is important in order to keep it safe and easily
13unloaded.
14(c) Cleaning, painting and repair work is known as __________
15(d) Life-saving equipment is the _______________ of the Third Officer.
16(e) On passenger liners there are always two officers on ____________ on the bridge.
17(f) It is the job of the AB to _____________ the tanks and bilges.
18
19Write out five true statements from this table:
20

21 Chief Officer Navigation

22 Second Officer Sounding bunkering tanks
23 The Third Officer Is responsible for supervising the crew's
24work
25 Boatswain Cargo and maintenance
26 Fitter The life-saving equipment
27 AS Ballast tank
28
29(A) Description of the engine department
30
31Write a description of the Engine Department on a cargo ship.
32Stage 1. Sort out this list of engine room personnel into order of
33seniority:
34Electrician, Third Engineer, Pumpman (on tankers), Chief Engineer, Wiper, Fourth
35Engineer, Engineer cadets, fitter, Second Engineer, motorman
36
37Stage 2. A composition usually has an opening paragraph to introduce
38the subject and perhaps give an overall picture. Read through this
39opening paragraph to a description of the Deck Department and then
40write an opening paragraph to your description using this as a guide.
41
42The Deck Department is made up of a number of officers, petty officers and
43ratings. The Chief Officer is in charge of the department and he is assisted
44by a Second Officer, a Third Officer and usually a Fourth Officer. There is one
45petty officers: the Boatswain. There are also a number of deck ratings including
46Able Seamen and Ordinary Seamen. Sometimes there are Navigating Cadets too.
47
48Stage 3. Now continue your description by writing out the following
49notes in a paragraph to show who is responsible for what:
50Chief Engineer - Master - the Engine Department. He (to look after) the day-
51to-day running of the department. Second Engineer – maintenance of the
52engine room, deck and other machinery. Engine room watchkeep-ing duties -
53Second, Third and Fourth Engineers. Second Engineer keeps. The
54maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment - Electrical Officer. Fitter -
55lubrication. On tankers, Pumpman - Chief Officer-loading and unloading oil
56and water ballast. Of the engine room ratings, Wiper - general oiling and cleaning
57duties, and Motorman - looking after the boilers.
58.
59COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY
60Write the jobs in the correct position on the chart.
61
623rd assistant engineer 2nd Assistant
63Engineer
64Radio Officer 1st Assistant
65Engineer
662nd Cook 3rd Officer
672nd Officer Chief Cook
68Master Chief Engineer
69Chief Officer The ratings
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2
3Give the title of the officers and ratings described below:
41. ____________ : the officer in charge of the cargo, ship's stability and
5maintenance.
62. ____________ : the officer in charge of charts.
73. ____________ : the officer responsible for the upkeep of the ship's life-
8saving equipment.
94. ____________ : the person responsible for the overall safety of the ship,
10crew, passengers a the cargo.
115. ____________ : ratings directly responsible to the chief officer.
126. ____________ : a rating in charge of taking the soundings of tanks and
13bilges.
147. ____________ : a young sailor training to be a ship's officer.
158. ____________ : the senior petty officer in the deck department, in charge of
16the deckhands or deck ratings.
179. ____________ : an experienced seaman competent to perform the
18duties of helmsman, lookout, and other deck duties.
1910. ___________ : seaman aged over 18, who has not qualified to be an able-
20bodied seaman.
21
22Fill in the gaps with the suitable adjective or adverb:
23(intended • properly • regular • careful )
24The Master should ensure that a _________________ plan for
25the_____________ voyage is prepared before sailing. He should also
26ensure that all safety systems are ______________ maintained. _________
27drills should be carried out.
28
29Supply the parts of the sentences left out:
30Each officer has his special duties
311. The Master (or Captain) is responsible for __________________ .
322. The Chief Officer deals with ____________________ and supervises
333. The 2nd Officer is in charge of __________________ .
344. The 3rd Officer is in charge of __________________ .
355. The Bosun is in command of ______________ and deals with jobs like
36___________ .
376.. Under the Master the officers and crew are divided into the
38following departments:
39________________ .
40
41Supply the missing terms:
42(running, deck department, ratings, department, manning system)
43The organization of ships is changing but it is still customary to find
44____________, engineroom, catering and radio departments in ships of a
45traditional type. In tankers, bulk carriers and container ships, general
46purpose __________ may be adopted. This is a system under which the
47___________ are deployed on duties throughout the ship. Each head
48______________ is not necessarily of equal importance. They complement
49one another, and all are essential to the
50efficient ___________ of the ship.
51
52
53