Promotion

[koolcollins25]

anybody wanna help me wit d issue of promotion and ranking onboard, it confuses me wen it get 2 those aspect

[YoungMariner]

Normal Merchant tends to be as follows, with the Captain and Chief Engineer of equal rank (Captain overall responsible), Chief Officer/2nd Engineer equal rank etc etc

Captain
Chief Officer
2nd Officer
3rd Officer
Bosun
Able Seaman
Ordinary Seaman
Cadet

Chief Engineer
2nd Engineer
3rd Engineer
4th Engineer (If carried)
Motorman
Oiler/Greaser


On the cruise ships it really varies but on the deck side it can be something like this

Captain
Staff Captain
Chief Officer
1st Officer
Sr 2nd Officer
Jr 2nd Officer
3rd Officer
4th Officer
Cadet
Bosun
Assistant Bosun
Quartermasters
Able Seaman
Ordinary Seaman

And various combinations, but hopefully this will help you understand. In the UK system a cadet is an 'Officer Cadet' as such, and progresses directly from cadet to 3rd Officer. In some countries cadet leads to becoming an Ordinary Seaman and building up through the ranks,

[GuinnessMan]

Also, some of the more special ships have special ranks.

For instance, on Oil and Chemical tankers they sometimes carry a Pumpman who is in charge of all the cargo equipment (with the exception of the turbines or FRAMO engines) and on LNG/LPG ships they tend to carry Gas Engineers who do something similar.

Depending on the nationality you're working with, they may also have a "Wiper" on board, which to some is like a trainee Engine Rating.

[CharlieDelta]

Within my company it's:

Captain
Deputy Captain
Safety Officer/Chief Officer (depends on brand)
First Officer (Navigator)
Second Officer
Third Officer
Fourth Officer (For those joining from other companies)
Cadet
CPO Coxswains and CPO Bosun
Leading Seamen
Seaman Grade 1
Seaman Grade 2
Seaman Trainee

Engine is roughly:

Chief Technical Officer
Staff Chief Engineer/Staff ETO
Ships Services Engineer
First Engineer/ETO
Second Engineer/ETO
Ventilation Officer
Third Engineer/ETO
Hotel Services Engineer
Motorman
Fitter
Wiper

[Steve]

For instance, on Oil and Chemical tankers they sometimes carry a Pumpman who is in charge of all the cargo equipment (with the exception of the turbines or FRAMO engines)...

Is your Pumpman a member of the deck or engine department?

Anyone met a Donkeyman?

[jcwilson91]

Yes, we have a donkeyman onboard, he is the technician for the incinerator. Quite funny, everytime he rings the engine control room, the EOW makes an donkey sound when answering the phone. Apparently its tradition on this ship :/

[koolcollins25]

Thanks alot 4 ur response, i really appreciate u all.
Looking forward to the time i will get onboard.

[YoungMariner]

As for promotion with the ranks, this is really very dependant on the company and the conditions/salary they offer (very diverse). At the bottom of the ladder are companies with generally poor conditions or undesirable companies who promote almost immediately on obtaining the minimum qualifications, upto companies who require the next qualification for the position they are in (i.e Chief Mates ticket for 2nd Officer etc).
Good luck with your cadetship.

[GuinnessMan]

Is your Pumpman a member of the deck or engine department?

Anyone met a Donkeyman?

Deck usually, but it can differ from place to place. It's not really all that important to be honest. Gas Engineers normally fall under Engineering though.

As for promotion with the ranks, this is really very dependant on the company and the conditions/salary they offer (very diverse). At the bottom of the ladder are companies with generally poor conditions or undesirable companies who promote almost immediately on obtaining the minimum qualifications, upto companies who require the next qualification for the position they are in (i.e Chief Mates ticket for 2nd Officer etc).
Good luck with your cadetship.

I'm always vary wary of companies that promote to fast. I've seen what can go wrong when that happens....