The crew is there to make money for the boat's owner
Boats make money by carrying cargo and delivering the cargo safely, then repeat. The more cargo, and the more frequently a boat carries cargo, the more money the owner makes, and more money is available to pay the crew. Very often the boat is a 24 hour operation, with people working in shifts called "watches".
The work routine is different at sea than in port. At sea, every one is working at navigation and maintenance while in port, everyone is working at loading or discharging (unloading) the cargo.
Roles when the boat is at sea
We say the boat is "at sea" when it is moving through the water. The boat will either be delivering a cargo or going to load a cargo. The boat has to be 'navigated' to its destination.
What is navigation?
Navigation is the planning, execution and monitoring of the boat's journey. Navigators apply their skills and knowledge acquired in training. They use the boat's equipment to ensure the boat gets to its destination safely, punctually and economically. We will discuss navigation over several blogs. For now, we are saying that the captain, the mates and the deck crew are the navigation team.
What happens at night?
Navigation continues at night just like during the day. When the boat is moving during the day, there must be a mate or the captain on the bridge. At night, there must also be a sailor. During the day watch at sea, the sailor does maintenance work on the boat and for the night watch, the sailor is on the bridge.
Roles when the boat is in port
Being in port is usually very busy. The captain takes charge of getting the boat safely to the dock where the cargo will be loaded or delivered. After that he will be dealing with the boat's business like: dealing with customs, immigration, health, security, repairs, stores, cargo and the company.
The mates will be loading or delivering the cargo safely and efficiently, as well as planning the voyage to the next port and assisting the captain as required.
The deck crew are largely responsible for the boat's security in port and also assist with cargo operations.
No comments:
Post a Comment
SSNT Blog Rules
Be constructive, SSNT blog is to encourage Caribbean youth to recognise the value of nautical studies.
SSNT blog is discussing nautical issues. DO NOT NAME INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES or AUTHORITIES in this blog.
SSNT blog is a nautical skills and knowledge certification forum, it is not for discussing licences.
SSNT blog is committed to developing the nautical human resource, at the operational level, to make the Caribbean a maritime superpower.
Please ensure your comments line up with the greater good, not your personal agenda.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.