Head the deck department and oversee Deck Cadet training; ensure compliance with safety and environmental procedures by deck and shore personnel; supervise proper cargo/port watches by duty officers; allocate daily work for deck crew and catering department; assign jobs beyond scheduled hours; prepare appraisal reports for deck and catering crew; advise Master on deck officers’ performance and appraisals.
Responsibilities and Authority of Chief Officer
The Chief Officer is the Master's deputy and second-in-command, responsible for understudying the Master in all aspects and taking over command in case of the Master's death or incapacity. They direct the Second Officer, Third Officer, Deck Cadet, and Deck/Saloon Crew. They typically keep the 0400-0800 and 1600-2000 navigational watches at sea (adjustable by the Master). They are the designated cargo officer, Ballast Water Management Officer, and Bio-fouling Management Plan Officer, and must keep the Master informed on safety, security, cargo, stress, stability, stevedores, defects, and non-conformities.
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