Commander (Master)

PURPOSE

The Commander (Ship Master) is in overall charge of the vessel and is responsible for the safety of the ship, crew, passengers and prevention of pollution.

DUTIES

• Implementing the company’s safety and environmental-protection policy aboard their vessel.
• Motivating the crew in observance of the company policies including the safety and environmental policy.
• Issuing appropriate orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner.
• Verifying that specified requirements of orders and the management system are observed; and
• Reviewing the safety management system and reporting deficiencies to shore-based management in accordance with the company’s procedure.
• Always ensuring the safety, safe navigation and operation of the ship is maintained. Liaising with Shore-based management and the fleet resourcing team to ensure that the ship is always sufficiently manned by certificated personnel for intended voyages and operations.
• Ensuring compliance and implementation of the SSEMS onboard
• Suceeding that the ship has sufficient fuel, water, victuals and all necessary stores for its intended voyage and operations.
• Supervise and motivate the shipboard management team and ensure HOD performance is appraised by completing company performance management system / appraisals as required by the SSEMS.
• Ensure all operations, including cable operations are appropriately and safely planned. The Commander shall also ensure each cable operation is executed according to the established plan.
• Review OPEX spends against annual budget, monitor costs and take accountability for explaining variances that may arise.
• Responsibility for overseeing crew / personnel management, including ensuring discipline is maintained onboard in accordance with the Code of Conduct for the Merchant Navy.
• Act as Company / employer’s HR representative for officers and crew and ensuring repatriation and support functions for each crewmember are met.
• Responsibility to oversee upkeep and seaworthiness of the vessel and ensure shipboard maintenance is up-to date and effectively managed.
• Chair Shipboard meetings (e.g. Safety Meeting / Management meeting etc…)
• Responsibility to effectively disseminate information between the company and the crew.
• Ensure that all statutory obligations applicable to the ship and her operations are met including the requirements of flag state, costal / port state, international conventions, such as SOLAS, MARPOL and the MLC.
• Ensure provisions for providing medical care to seafarers is addressed on board when requested by crew / personnel on board. The Master shall be responsible to oversee all medical care administered on board and shall ensure appropriate remote / radio medical advice from shore-based doctors / medical professionals is obtained by officers undertaking medical care responsibilities on board the ship.
• Ensure that ship is properly surveyed and certificated by the relevant administration or their agents.
• Responsibility to ensure all ship’s trading certificates and other certification is valid and up-to-date in addition to being well managed in a neat and presentable fashion. Ensuring all operations are conducted in accordance with national and international requirements and client requirements are met.
• Acting as client liaison and company representative and preserver good customer relationships when customer representatives are onboard.
• Keep logs and records as required by the SSEMS, flag, coastal or port states.
• Ensure that the ship's radio communications systems are properly maintained and operated and GMDSS logbooks effectively kept.
• Ensure that all vessel plant and equipment is properly tested and certified before use and examined at requisite intervals by competent personnel.
• Ensure all ship’s emergency, safety, and operational equipment is maintained and serviceable, kept ready for use and in compliance with Flag and Class requirements. Ensuring defective equipment is reported to shore-based management in accordance with established company procedure covering defects and breakdowns.
• Ensure all safety, environmental and company reporting is completed in accordance with company SSEMS requirements and flag, coastal or port state requirements.
• Ensure that all practical measures are taken to prevent pollution or damage to the environment.
• Ensure that all personnel joining the ship are adequately familiarised with emergency preparedness and equipment in accordance with SSEMS familiarisation / induction procedures.
• Ensure applicable customs and board protection arrangements of coastal or port state are met and prevention of illegal landing of bonded stores or contraband.
• Carry out regular inspections of the ship, ensuring all statutory and company requirements are met.
• Ensure ship stability calculations are completed for each section of the voyage and submitted to the company in accordance with SSEMS procedures.
• To ensure that MD Asset Operations, the ISM DP(s) and applicable Fleet Superintendent are fully appraised of operational, technical or emergency situation without delay and report defects, incidents and near-misses in accordance with company SSEMS procedures.
• Compliance with the duties and responsibilities identified within GM-J-MGMT-KA-0002 Master’s Responsibility and Authority.

RESPONSIBLE TO

• Assigned Fleet Superintendent and MD Assets & Operations for the operation, safety and efficient running of the vessel.
• Global Marine Project Manager for client interface / cable operations.