Captain, Master, slave under "IT" & administration.

Being a Master (or Captain like it was called in the early days).

(If you manage to stay awake, I have posted "a piece" of my job description at the bottom after the pictures)

After working as a Captain for a couple of years, I expressed my frustration over some work issues to my father. He replied  that it could be lonely at the top, a very important thing to bear in mind is also to remember that you are not paid to be popular, that being a Captain is not always a "walk in the park",.. 

But looking back,  I think that, like in many other management positions, it has got it's "pro et contra".

In the early days I was very passionate about my job, and wanted to be correct and precise in every way. But trying to achieve perfection in my profession is impossible.

In this ever changing legislative, administrative and  organizational work climate, combined with the fast changing technological evolution..It is a challenge to remain sain. Master work today is more of an office clerk than the traditional mariner.

I usually refer to the introduction of computers into our every day life.

The "blessing of man kind" turned into the "conqueror of our lives".

I dare to say that I spend at least 6 hours per day in front of my computer.

To have done that for 20 years divided by two(since I am at home half the year).

10 effective years of experience with computers should have given me good experience.

I should be able to call myself an experienced computer user. But no, no, no.

If it is not hardware problems, then it is operating system problems, or software development problems. Why is it that software developers are allowed to sell unfinished products? Why am I, onboard the vessel when trying to do my job, the man having to assist in developing and finding all bugs in need of fixes without being compensated? Nowadays we are also required to maintain "watch keeping" of the mail box, many people ashore expect replies of their mail instantly. Connectivity is also a big issue on some vessels, as well as the speed of the internet (band-width). The modern Masters has to accept frustrating feeling of "unaccomplishness", after a long working day of attending zillion things of what maybe 3 items reached its completion. days filled with being unfocused, distractions etc. Main reason for the frustration being "the mail In-box".  

I have realized that there are many battles to be fought, but with age and experience you learn that 

Me, myself  and I, will be the one most affected of the warfare, and quite often in a negative way.

It is tiresome to "bark up the wrong tree", " pee against the wind", and it is quite often useless.

I am now only focusing on "the important stuff" things that I might be able to change..

or things that are importantly to safety or the well being of my vessel and/or crew.

I would like to give you a link to a funny drawing made by the  Dutch Radio Officer

Roger Mekels " This is our Captain....and this is how he is seen..." Very much to the point, and this to emphasize that not many people, even within the industry,(clients and management ashore) understands our situation out here and how our working day looks like.

 http://www.marine-marchande.net/Captcoz/poster_capt.html

I myself, pictured myself in the early days as in this photo below (Curtesy Gorthon Lines)

Shore management picture me like this...

How the agent from shore see me.,

(After shipyard...sign and stamp please... 1,5' pile of documents)

How my crew see me...Office on the Bridge.

But hey..I have an interesting job, splendid colleagues and mostly sunshine during my days

This "primal therapy" blog just a way of explaining the difference from former days Captains.  

Functional Duties Master

1. The Master has the overriding authority and responsibility on matters affecting the

safety, security and pollution prevention. The master may request the Company’s

assistance when necessary.

2. The Master’s full responsibilities are the safety of lives, pollution prevention, ship and

cargo. In addition he/she has the overall responsibility for the entire operation of the

vessel and in ensuring that the Officers of all departments efficiently discharge their

duties. All departments are in all respect subject to his/her order. While in

command he/she cannot delegate his/her ultimate responsibility to any other Officer.

3. Nothing herein is to be constructed in any way to relieve the Master of his/her full

responsibility for the ship and the efficient organisation on board.

4. The Master is to bear in mind that the welfare and happiness and close co-operation

of all members of the ship’s Company is his/her direct responsibility. Every effort

must be made to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the ship. Care must

be taken in order to avoid the misuse of authority and it must be observed that

command leadership should rely primarily on example and personal respect rather

than rank.

5. To represent Owner’s and be responsible to them for the safety and efficient use of

their assets and personnel.

6. To ensure the ship’s activities are carried out in accordance with procedures detailed

in Management System.

7. The Master is authorized to sign Lloyd’s Open Form.

The Master shall:

1. Have sufficient knowledge of the Company’s Management System

2. Know where to find relevant procedures and work instructions

3. Implement Company’s Policies through:

a. Reviewing any new policy with all crew and giving employees a chance to ask

questions,

b. Presenting the policies to all new employees,

c. Maintaining high standards of safety and environment protection,

d. Good communication with crew and onshore management,

e. Team work and high morale of all personnel onboard,

f. Necessary training,

4. Motivate the crew in the observation of these policies;

5. Issue appropriate orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner;

6. Review the Company’s Management System and reporting its deficiencies to the

Company’s Designated Person and HSE Manager;

7. Verify that specified requirements are observed;

8. Be familiar with Flag state rules and regulations;

9. Carry out the Charterer’s instruction/orders in accordance with Charter Party, and cooperate

with the Party Chief on relevant operational matters;

10. Ensure that the ship is fully equipped, well maintained and in all respect seaworthy at

all times;

11. Ensure that all operations onboard are carried out safely;

12. Be responsible for general discipline onboard;

13. Ensure that all vessel’s equipment is in good order and well maintained according to

PMS;

14. Report to Line Management, without delay, incidents which take place onboard and

ashore, if this affects vessel;

15. Have full operational understanding of all navigation related equipment;

16. Ascertain that he/she and the Chief Officer and Chief Engineer work together in cases

of abnormal conditions, in order to benefit from each other’s knowledge and

experience.

17. Follows up the budgeting and ensures that the budgets are kept. However, budgets

and cost control are tools ensuring best possible use of available resources and never

have priority over safe operation of the vessel;

18. Ensure that onboard narcotics and controlled drugs are properly stored;

19. Care for the general health and hygiene;

20. Contact the office until he/she has a clear reply to his/her first request;

21. Calculate and advise the office of marine crew wages earned;

22. Ensure that vessel is adequately manned at all times when in port, either anchored

or alongside;

23. Ensure that any discharges are conducted in accordance with MARPOL and applicable

local regulations;

24. Ensure that the vessel’s logbooks are kept updated at all times;

25. Keep him/herself informed, via the Chief Officer or other means about the ship’s

draft, trim and stability conditions;

26. Keep him/herself informed of and actively participates in planning, calculation and

execution of navigation at all times. Ensures that strict bridge routines are kept and

that watch instructions are followed;

27. Ensure good communication between Instrument Room and the Bridge;

28. Actively participate when navigating with pilot and ensures that the pilot is well

informed about the ship’s maneuvering capabilities;

29. In co-operation with the Senior Officers, ensures proper training, evaluation and

reporting of all personnel qualification in accordance with Company requirements;

30. Ensure that the ship can be contacted twenty four hours of the day;

31. Nominate GMDSS operator;

32. Ensure that all persons who are assigned duty as officer in charge of a watch or as a

rating forming a part of a watch is provided a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24

hour period. Ref. STCW 95-Chapter VIII, Section A-VIII/1;

33. Ensure that the Chief Officer is familiar with Master’s duties and responsibilities in

case of Master’s absence;

34. Ensure that the ship’s survey status and certificates are up-to-date;

35. Ensure that drills and trainings are scheduled, planned and carried out as per

requirements;

36. Commit to Company’s Safety & Quality Management System;

37. Conduct a written handover as a Master and make sure that every officer on the ship

does the same;

38. Perform crew appraisal according to company procedures;

39. Perform crew disciplinary actions in line with company procedures.

I think most is covered, might have missed something though, 

I am after all only human...