aarcr wrote:In general what are the titles and duties of the officers and crew on the boats? Who does the senior officer report to at his on shore office?
Not sure why you have not received a response to your question, but this is the crewing levels that I anticipate for operation of the Bramble, assuming that the sale works out.
Here are the crewing levels I anticipate. The manning structure was developed by Capt. Paul Beesley, of the Canadian Coast Guard, following a thorough inspection of the vessel.
Total of 22.
Captain: Responsible for the overall operation and safety of the ship, and all disciplinary, crew management, and supply issues. Will not stand a regular watch.
1st, 2nd 3rd mate: Responsible for ship navigation and safety while on watch, along with monitoring the deck force activities. Stand 4 hour watches.
3 wheelsmen/helmsmen: Steers the ship.
Bosun: Heads the deck force, directly supervised the deckhands, assists in ship maintenance.
Winchman: Responsible for safely operating the main deck cargo crane.
3 deckhands: General deck duties, assist in ship maintenance, probably at least one will need to be small boat operator qualified.
Chief Engineer: Responsible for the engineering operation of the ship, including Engine Room, cargo crane, and also ship maintenance. Does not stand watch.
Day working engineer: Responsible for day work in the engineering department under the Chief Engineer, does not stand a regular watch.
3rd, 4th, 5th engineer; Responsible for operation of the main Engine room Diesel generators, main motor, and overall engine room duties and maintenance. Stand 4 hours watches.
3 oilers: Assist the duty engineer and day engineer in the engine room and as needed elsewhere. Stand 4 hour watches.
Cook, Assistant cook: Responsible for feeding the crew, maintenance of galley, purchase of galley supplies.
Note, these are just brief sketches of the duties, as exact job descriptions are being developed tailored specifically to the Bramble. However, this should give an idea on how a ship is crewed. The Bramble is an older vessel, and is not automated, so requires a larger crew than an automated ship. As I am planning to be operating in some out of the way areas, the larger crew does give me some badly needed redundancy in case of problems occurring.
With respect to who the senior officer will report too, part of the time I will be owner on board, and part of the time I will be elsewhere. In either case, the captain will be reporting to me. As for larger ship lines, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Capt. Bill Wright, of the Royal Caribbean cruise line, when we were on board for the maiden voyage of the Freedom of the Seas, on which he was serving a captain. At the time, he was head of maritime operations for RCCL, and supervised the ship captains for the line, reporting in turn to the President of RCCL. The cruise directors reported to a different individual who then reported to the President. The cruise directors were accountable to the captain when it came to ship operation and safety.