SUPERSHIP MARINE SERVICES
INC.,
CADETSHIP
PROGRAMS
10 COMMON
DUTIES/RESPONSIBI
LITIES OF CADET
ONBOARD SHIP
1. Tank Soundings
Almost all cadets are asked to check tank soundings on a regular basis.
Generally taken after the 0400-0800 watch (before or right after breakfast)or
during bunkering, soundings are very crucial for ensuring the stability of the
vessel. The fact that the ship’s stability is dependent on the total ballast
being carried, makes a cadet realize the high level of responsibility given to
him.
Taking soundings must be learnt to the highest degree of precision so that
the job becomes easier and executed swiftly. Knowing the depth of all the
tanks also saves a lot of time. At ports, soundings are extremely crucial to
the loading and/or discharging of the cargo and should not be meddled with
at all. Fabricating the readings can be detrimental to the safety of the ship
and its crew.
Bottom sounding Ullage sounding
SOUNDING
2. Ship Maintenance
All cadets who have served onboard will know that an area within
the ship is designated to the cadet for maintenance and upkeep.
Generally, one deck (or a part of it) of the superstructure is
assigned to the cadet. Maintenance of that includes overall
cleanliness and reporting of any abnormalities within the area.
3. LSA/FFA Maintenance
Thorough maintenance of the life saving appliances (LSA)
and fire fighting appliances (FFA) is extremely important.
Generally a part of the 3rd Mate’s duties and
responsibilities, this work is assigned to the cadets so that
they learn the procedures of noting down expiry dates,
carrying out repair work, checking for any defects,
emailing the company for ordering new products etc. In
the process, a cadet ends up learning a great deal about
how each equipment functions and also a lot about the
lifeboats, life rafts, pyrotechnics, SOLAS Regulations etc.
All such information ends up being extremely useful when
appearing for the 2nd Mates examination.
4. Deck Work
Assisting the ship’s bosun in everyday deck work is
embedded into any cadet’s daily schedule. This is
basically grounding work, seemingly unimportant at the
start, but builds the framework for the coming years as an
officer. Work on deck including chipping, painting, grinding
etc. is carried out to maintain the structural integrity of the
deck, along with some rope work (e.g., splicing) that gives
cadets the right aspect towards good seamanship.
Also, as all cadets will tell you, the job of stenciling various
parts on deck is the universal designated duty of a cadet!
5. Berthing/Unberthing Operations
When a vessel goes alongside (or casts away), it’s
normally “all hands on deck”. The entire deck populace is
present at their respective stations to get the vessel to
berth/cast off close to perfection. A cadet starts out at the
stations as a sort of a rating, doing mainly the physical
work. As time goes by and experience is gained, his job
switches to more of a supervisory nature, wherein the
cadet is expected to relay the orders of the Master to the
ratings, ensuring that the operation runs smoothly and in
order.
6. Pilotage Operations
A cadet’s role during pilotage varies with the time he has
spent onboard. Initially, a cadet assists the ratings in
rigging the pilot ladder and lowering the gangway for the
pilot to board, along with other related processes during
pilotage. The process also involves learning, first hand,
the precise construction of the pilot ladder as per
Regulations (important when appearing for the 2nd Mates
examination). Gradually, once the Master deems the
Cadet to be relatively well versed with the vessel’s
operations, he is called on the Bridge to assist the duty
officer with the different pilotage paperwork, e.g. printing
out and filling the pilot card, plotting the position, filling the
radio log (under supervision), observing the steering etc.
7. Port work and Cargo Operations
Being a trainee officer slated to sail as a 3rd Mate upon
completion of the training period, a cadet is expected to be
vigilant while in port. Work in port includes assisting the
3rd Mate with paperwork (Bond store, crew declaration
etc.), i.e. keeping them stamped, signed and ready with a
fair number of photocopies.
Watches also have to be kept in port; this includes
monitoring the cargo being loaded/unloaded (involves
noting down precise timings of the start and end of
loading/unloading, every time it happens). Normally, the
cadet is made responsible to keep a tab on the tank
soundings with continuous feedback to the duty officer on
the portable VHF handheld/ walkie-talkie.
8. ISPS Watch
A very integral part of the port watch, an ISPS watch is
pivotal to the security of the ship. With the norms
pertaining to ship security getting stringent by the day, the
ISPS watch has become one that has to be taken rather
seriously.
A cadet is normally assigned to monitor the entry and exit
points of the vessel. Usually stationed at the gangway, it is
expected from a cadet to keep a log of all the persons
entering and leaving the vessel; this includes all shore
personnel as well as the ship’s crew (going on shore
leave). IDs must be checked and logged in the ship’s
‘Visitor’s Log’. If such a system exists onboard (differs
from company to company), a ship’s numbered ID must
be provided to keep a track of the person even more
precisely. Bags and suspicious objects must be checked
thoroughly. A cadet, being an officer in the making, is also
expected to usher in various officials (PSC Surveyors,
Coast Guard, Medical/Health Inspectors etc.) to the ship’s
office. Informing the duty officer of the particulars of the
person being brought in is crucial and comes naturally
after having spent enough time onboard.
9. Paperwork At Sea
All seafarers will agree that paperwork has increased
many times over and so has the stress and irritation that
comes with it! A cadet is expected to be a helping hand to
the Chief Mate when it comes to the different checklists,
familiarization lists, key logs etc.
Updating of the Muster lists and the cabin key log are
generally handed over to the cadet when there are new on
signers. Making photocopies of various lists are almost
always the sole job of a cadet! (And sometimes the
number is extremely large). Not to forget the thing that has
become ubiquitous on almost all vessels- The Watch &
Rest Hours- to be distributed to all on time; another
universally allotted job of the deck cadet.
Although not directly part of mainstream paperwork, the
numerous discontinued charts that are used for stencilling
are also to be cut out, close to perfection by the deck
cadet!
10. Navigation
Perhaps the most important aspect of being a
cadet, navigation is the very purpose that the ship is in
business and officers/ratings are employed!
Not having a valid Certificate of Competency (COC), a cadet is naturally not allowed to keep a
bridge/engine watch independently. However, under the guidance and supervision of a certified officer
(almost always it is the Chief Mate/Engineer), a cadet is expected to learn the science and art of
navigation, which would eventually help him in becoming a successful officer. Theoretical knowledge
of the COLREGS, Celestial Navigation, Bridge Equipments, Seamanship, Chartwork etc. all
culminate into this one grand attempt at safe navigation of the vessel.
Normally, the Chief Mate takes time out during the bridge watches (0400-0800 and 1600-2000) to
teach a cadet about the ongoings in the bridge and also tests his knowledge he has received during
his deck cadet course on myriad aspects of the merchant navy. Gradually, the Chief Mate and
eventually the Master develops a trust factor (provided the cadet is worth the salt), which enables
them to delegate work to the cadet.
As daunting as it may seem, cadetship actually is the most fun part of one’s shipping career. With no
responsibility at hand and not being answerable under legal bindings, cadetship is the time to learn
and imbibe. Everyone that has gone through will look back at their time fondly (except the extreme
cases!) and with pride. Donning the uniform as a young 20 something is a matter of respect. Provided
a cadet is diligent in his duties, he can be assured that he’ll be respected by all onboard and the time
he spends as a cadet will be full of lifelong memories.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CADET
1. Following the senior officer's instruction.
2. Apply safe working practices in all your duties.
3. To execute assigned duties safely, work procedure, to best ability, and report any hazardous condition
without delay to duty officer.
4. Follow instructions & structure of onboard training, make sure to complete the task or questions listed on the
training/cadet record book.
5. You must actively seek to learn the duties of the ranks (mostly the next rank of yours).
6. Taking early responsibility.
7. Learning 4th Engineer/Officer duties.
8. Observing good housekeeping practices.
9. Proactively participating in drills.
10. Learning from Ratings.
11. Preparedness for the next day’s job.
12. Maintaining camaraderie & fostering good working relationships.
13.Maintaining discipline & punctuality.
14.
