Chief mate role & salary on a merchant ship

CHIEF MATE : 3 STRIP PERSON
ESTIMATED SALARY : 8000 USD ON DRY SHIP
                                        : 10000 USD ON OTHER SHIP

SECOND IN COMMAND  { AFTER MASTER )

1: The Chief Mate on a merchant vessel is an indispensable member of the ship’s crew, being as he is 
     responsible for overseeing the safety and security of the ship, and answerable to the ship’s captain 
     in these respects.
2:Eensuring that the safety of the ship, its crew, its passengers and its cargo are not threatened. 

3:This role also entails being responsible for the loading and unloading of a ship’s cargo, and its safe 
    stowage on the ship itself.

THE CARGO OFFICER 
 

1:Chief mate is also bestowed with the title of Cargo Officer. In this role he must ensure that he takes particular care if the ship is carrying a cargo that is potentially dangerous or hazardous – an undertaking that is of massive logistical importance on dry land, but when on the open seas with a ship by its very nature likely to have significant lateral and linear movement on several axes, it is of even greater importance that it be done correctly. This can call upon the wit of the chief mate to make adequate provision for matters such as ballasting in order that the ship’s weight and balance be correctly calibrated.

WATCH KEEPER 

 

The Chief Mate also acts as what is called a “watchstander". What this means in practice is that he or she stands guard ensuring the safety of the ship and all that are carried on it, any cargo included. It is seafaring tradition that the chief mate as watchstander takes responsibility for what is called the “4-8 watch", watching from a suitable vantage point for four hours at a time from 4-8am, and again twelve hours later. This watch will take the form of ensuring that the ship is compliant with regulations and conventions governing the safety of life at sea (including any concomitant search and rescue requirements) and also that the ship is working within pollution regulations. In this respect not only is the Chief Mate responsible for keeping the ship safe from attack or damage, but also that it will not fall under the dissatisfaction of the regulatory bodies.