The  Merchant Navy consists of a fixed order of hierarchy with seafarers holding different ranks on ships.  This ranking system ensures smooth coordination on board operations and promotes appropriate management works.  

Having a line of work requires a very high professionalism in which lax performance can result in serious consequences, with hierarchy being an economically viable model for shipboard operations with a coast-based support framework.

  The naming of the merchant navy ranking system is accepted by shipping companies and commercial vessels worldwide.  The ranks and responsibilities that come with it are somewhat similar across the industry with slight variations in names and duties assigned to specific positions between shipping companies and the system of nomenclature they follow.  As mentioned above, essentially it is almost all the same.

In general, the ranking system on merchant vessels mainly divided into the following categories:

1.  Deck department

2.  Engine department

3.  Catering department

  A vessel bridge is a hub equipped with vital equipment for safe navigation and monitoring of merchant ships.  Due to the advanced and distinct nature of bridge equipment, an expected skill set is necessary for an individual to control all equipment and thereby navigate the ship safely.  
Under the ship's deck department, sailors are vested with the responsibility of handling cargo operations and berthing instruments present on the ship's deck, as well as managing ship navigation.

Merchant navy ranks
  •   The captain

  The captain (or master) of the ship is the ultimate authority of the ship and is the highest rank one can attain on the ship.  He assumes total responsibility and oversees all shipboard operations.  The captain is at all times commanded by a merchant ship and handles proper daily transactions and handles legal matters on maritime issues.  In the unlikely event that the master is not on board, the chief mate is considered to be the interim in-charge for the operation of the ship.

  Deck department

  •   Chief Officer / Mate

  •   Second Officer / Mate

  •   Third Officer / Mate

  •   Deck cadets

  •   Deck rating (non-official)

  •   Bosun (chief of rating staff)

  •   Welder / Fitter (This rank serves both onboard decks as well as the engine department)

  •   Able Bodyman Seaman (AB)

  •   Common Seaman (OS)

  •   Trainee os

1.  Chief Officer / First Mate: The Chief Officer occupies the second responsible post after the captain of the vessel.  He is the executive head of the deck department and executes the master's command at the operational level (although the rank itself is a more managerial position).  He oversees the crew of the vessel and oversees various deck operations including but not limited to the daily ongoings of the deck according to the work schedule as well as cargo operations carried out in the port.

The Chief Mate gives priority to the safety and safe functioning of the vessel and is responsible for the welfare of the crew and passengers on board (if on board the passenger ship).  Additionally, the correct work of the hull, housing section, cargo gearing, safety equipment and fire prevention equipment are managed by the Chief Officer.  Chief among all his duties is the safe navigation of the ship for which he is an OoW for shipping clocks between 0400–0800 hrs and 1600–2000 hrs.  There is already a lot of workload in the port, the main mate usually does not keep port clocks because it constantly supervises cargo work.

2.Second Officer / Mate: Second Mate is an OOW responsible for charts and publications on the board and their maintenance.  In addition, they are medical officers responsible for the maintenance and operation of all medical services related to onboard.  Being an OOW, the navigational clock time for him while at sea is 1200–1600 hrs and 0000–0400 hrs.  At the port, their watches are from 1200–1800 hrs and 0000–0600 hrs.

3.Third Officer / Mate: Third Mate is in charge of all LSA and FFA ships and is tasked with keeping and maintaining the ship.  In addition, he must handle all port documents for use by the master as well as at the bond store.  Being an OOW, the navigational clock time for her while at sea is 0800–1200 hrs and 2000–0000 hrs.  At the port, their watches are at 0600-1200 hrs and 1800-0000 hrs

 4. Deck Cadet: The Deck Cadet trainee officer is on board, fresh out of the institution.  His only job is to learn, understand and apply skills to the process of becoming a skilled officer in the future.  Being a freshman candidate, a cadet is assigned tasks that provide him with a gradual understanding of the ship and uses his commuting time to assume responsibility as an OOV in the future "Certificate of Competition"  “Use when preparing for exams.  In addition to the work of the deck that he needs to understand, a large part of a cadet is concerned with assisting an OOW in carrying a safe navigational watch.

 5. Bosun: Bosun is the head of the ratings division on the deck and performs the prescribed tasks on the deck in contact with the main mate

6.Samarth Seaman: According to modern maritime terminology, a competent seaman (AB) is possessed by a merchant Marner's documentation and is qualified to assist the deck department.  See more information about Able Seaman's rank here.

 7. Ordinary Seaman: The rank of an ordinary seaman, represented by the OS, serves in the deck section of the vessel.  An OS is usually busy with tasks such as buffing, scaling, deck cleaning, and sometimes painting superstructures above the main deck.  A simple seaman can perform activities such as overhauling, spilling ropes, wiring, rigging etc. on the deck and performing repair work.  It is the job of the Ordinary Seaman to ensure safe handling of cargo gear and loading or dismantling cargoes as directed by Bosun / Chief Mate.  A trainee OS is like a cadet but for the ratings section.  Learn more about ordinary seaman.

  Engine department
  •   Chief Engineer

  •   Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer

  •   Third Engineer / Second Assistant Engineer

  •   Fourth Engineer / Third Assistant Engineer

  •   Fifth Engineer / Engine Cadet

  •   Electrical officer

  Engine room rating

  •   Fitter

  •   Motorman

  •   Viper

  1.Trainee Fitter / Trainee Wiper
Chief Engineer: The Chief Engineer is the head of the engineering department on a ship.  The qualification required for this post is known as "Main Ticket".  Alternatively, they may also be optionally called "chiefs" and usually receive equal pay than the captain, although the entire responsibility for a particular vessel lies solely on the captain's shoulder.  The chief engineer gives orders for the operation and maintenance of the ship's machinery system and is responsible for the engine room department.

2.Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer: He is involved in day to day activities in the engine room, and he is accountable to the Chief Engineer.  Duties also include continuously monitoring the proper functioning of all engine room machinery systems and hiring other engine officers and crew.  The second engineer monitors the engine room, usually during the day.


 3. Third Engineer / Second Assistant Engineer: This is the next position after Second Engineer, and is assigned to jobs to take care of the machinery ordered by the Chief Engineer as well as daily monitoring.  He reports to another engineer
 4. Fourth Engineer / Third Assistant Engineer: This is the most junior rank in the Engineering Department.  The fourth engineer is concerned about the correct functioning of the machinery systems assigned to him and also monitors us.  He reports to another engineer.

5.Fifth Engineer / Engineering Cadet: The fifth engineer is an apprentice under the second engineer officer, and he assists and learns while observing and conducting activities in the engine room.  He will accompany a senior officer (mostly other engineer) while on watch duty.


  All engines report room ratings to another engineer.  Engineering cadets spend their time with the main objective of learning the skills required to become a competent engineering officer in the future (by approving the certification examinations of qualifications necessary to obtain a license to be a certified engineer).

  Catering department
  •   master Chief

  •   Trainee cook

  •   manager


Chief Cook: Chief cook belongs to the ship's catering department.  It is their duty to prepare food regularly for the crew and passengers.  He is also in charge of the food store.  The Chief Chef assists the Third Mate / Cadet in preparing the requisite for any / every food items sent to the Headquarters of the company.  Chief Cook also inspects the equipment needed to keep the ship clean and is unopposed in the galley area.

Trainee cook: Trainee cook is the chief cook in the provision of cooking and management.

  Steward: The work assigned, as the name itself suggests, involves cooking and serving on time, sweeping and maintaining officers' living quarters and stocking stores.  It is also a steward's job to manage grocery accounts, plan menus, and document cost control issues.

  It is to be noted that a galley on passenger ships will also include several other ranks.  Read about galley jobs here.

  It is important to remember that where the hierarchy of the ship is almost the same across the industry, variations may exist in a specific company depending on the nominee system as well as the type of ship.  Having said that, the above gives the reader a strong idea according to the existing norms regarding hierarchy in every department of merchant ships.