What are the responsibilities when joining a vessel as chief officer?

  • Check certificates and validity.
  • Register of ship lifting appliances and gear.
  • Ships plan.
  • Garbage record book.
  • Oil record book.
  • LSA/FFA maintenance record book.
  • Planned maintenance scheme checks.
  • General condition of ship and defects list.
  • Possession of all important keys.
  • Status of stores, inventories and requisition.
  • Overtime sheets of crew
  • Navigational equipment.
  • Deck log book.
  • Ongoing or future surveys.
  • Cargo aspect:
  • Records of all past loading and discharges.
  • Ship stability booklet, cargo plan, cargo manifest, ship stability booklet,
  • Present situation regarding cargo and stowage.
  • Expected time of completion and departure.
  • Any draft restrictions in port of departure or arrival.
  • Reserves on board- oil, ballast, fresh water, cargo etc.
  • Loadicator- general operation, test condition, take custody of instruction manual and back up floppy.

ANUBHAV GAUTAM