Chief Officer is responsible to the Master for:
• A senior assistant in his absence or if he cannot perform his responsibilities as a result of an accident or illness.
• Drafting of their independent written freight Regulations. They should be reviewed and recognized by the Master, discussed and signed by the junior officers.
• Securing the vessel at sea
• Maintaining the navigation clock as needed.
• Fulfilling the duties of a ship safety officer to ensure a safe working environment on board, as well as keeping up to date and keeping records of all rescue and fire fighting equipment on board the ship.
• General responsibility as SSO (ship security officer).
• Supervision of mooring and anchoring operations as directed by the master.
• Adopting safe working practices on board the ship.
• General maintenance of all safety equipment on board, assistance from other officers and crew should be used as needed.
• Preparation of all cargo-related plans and documentation, as well as the efficient execution of all operations for loading and unloading cargo and ballast.
• Organizing a deck of ratings distributed across a deck of responsibilities.
• Maintaining the condition of marine tissue and general cleanliness.
• By agreement with the chief engineer, maintaining deck equipment in proper and seaworthy condition. The overall responsibility remains with the Chief Engineer.
• Preparation of detailed freight and ballast plans using the company form prior to arrival at each port. This will be approved and signed by the master, discussed and signed by all deck officers and ratings that are part of the cargo control.
Monitoring and operation of all cargo equipment.
• Checking the cargo system, including the cargo line, to make sure that the planned plan will be implemented. • Start of all cargo and ballast operations.
• Monitoring ship stability and loads during cargo and ballast operations to ensure that they remain within acceptable limits.
• Maintaining freight records in accordance with the requirements of the Company and international rules.
• Daily inspection of empty compartments that are not equipped with a fixed tank measurement system (for example: cofferdams, empty spaces, chain lockers, holds, etc. ) and sound recording in the Deck Journal.
• Ensuring that empty tanks and empty spaces surrounding cargo spaces that contain flammable goods or gases (if they are not equipped with a stationary gas detection system) are checked daily for gas and the results are recorded in the Deck Journal.
• Making all pollution prevention equipment available for emergency use.
• Directly responsible for training deck cadets on board
• Any other duties assigned to him by the Master.
The chief officer should, as soon as possible, replace the Captain.