Captain Duties
The following directions are not intended to cover in detail all the areas of his responsibility, but to serve as a general guide for his performance of the duties of Captain.
The Captain is in charge of the navigation, operation, management, care, and safety of the vessel; the safety and wellbeing of the crew and all other personnel on board as well as the safety of the equipment and cargo carried on board. It is the duty of the Captain to keep himself fully informed of, and adhere to, all United States and other relevant laws, regulations, and directives affecting the operation of the vessel. In addition, the Captain shall acquaint himself fully with the regulations and local requirements of all ports visited. He shall not berth at any port until all the laws have been complied with. All problems encountered shall be reported to the Company office by the most expeditious means. The Captain is responsible to the owner and charterer, for the operation of the vessel and the employment of the crew in a safe and efficient manner to carry out the assigned missions of the vessel. He must maintain proper order and discipline on board at all times. He shall be held responsible for any disorderly conduct, or violation of the laws or of the rules covered in the Company's Employee or Health Safety and Environmental Policy which might have been prevented by proper administration and supervision on his part. He shall not permit any alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or other intoxicants on the vessel at any time.
The Captain, as the commander of the vessel, must govern his decisions relating to loading, operational matters, personnel, and vessel safety, and instructions from the owner and/or the charterer, based on his knowledge of safe marine practices and good relations with the owner and/or the charterer to whom he owes the obligation of providing such services.
The Captain shall make at least one inspection of the vessel daily, including inspecting the machinery area along with the Chief and/or Swing Engineer.
Physical Requirements:
The Captain must be physically and mentally able to take charge of the navigation, operation, management, care, and safety of the vessel and crew; make daily inspections of his vessel, including all machinery spaces, voids, and rudder rooms. The inspections include climbing ladders, entering a tank opening 18" in diameter, and being able to move about in all weather conditions. The Captain must be skilled in and have a working knowledge of boat handling. He must have a practical knowledge of seamanship and a working knowledge of electronics. The Captain must also have an understanding of the ship's power plants and ship's propulsion systems. The Captain must be able to:
perform his duties under any weather and sea conditions
work in confined spaces
work outdoors in all weather conditions
work aloft
work overhead (painting, chipping, etc.)
work with pneumatic and power tools
work bent over or squatting for long periods of time
lift 30 pounds and carry it 50 feet
walk up a ship’s ladder while the vessel is rolling and/or pitching
climb a 30-foot mast
enter a void opening 18 inches in diameter
throw a mooring line 15 feet
stack anchor chain in a confined chain lock
wear safety steel-toe shoes, safety goggles, ear protectors, and protective gloves