THE MEN ON DECK CHAPTER I THE MASTER The Master Mariner who has the vessel in charge is called the CAPTAIN, or the MASTER, the latter being his official title. It is correct, however, to address the master of a vessel as CAPTAIN, a courtesy to which the Master Mariner is fully entitled through ancient sea usage. Among seagoing people, the Master Mariner who is in charge of a vessel is in complete charge at all times; divided authority in this matter is intolerable to the minds of men accustomed to the sea. The Master is responsible as follows: For the safe handling of his vessel in and out of port. For the safe and expeditious navigation of his vessel from port to port. For the good management, and order, of the various departments that constitute the internal economy of his vessel— deck-engine-steward's-etc. He is responsible for the safety of the lives of passengers and crew. He is responsible for the safe stowage, carriage, and unlading of the cargo. The vessel is his direct responsibility. If the Pilot is in charge, this does not relieve the Master of his full responsibility. The Master is responsible to the owners. He is also responsible to the insurance underwriters. He is also responsible to the Government of the United States, under which he receives his license as a Master Mariner. The Master Mariner who is well qualified to bear the great responsibilities of his station; to have the keeping of many lives in his charge; to be the sole judge of what is right and proper in times of emergency; such a man is not made in a year, nor is he the product of any short-cut system of training. His sea lore must be learned at sea. His duty to ship and cargo must be truly come by through close and thorough contact with the great vessels he is called upon to command. The Master Mariner must be a student of the laws governing his business upon the sea, and of the laws defining his duties and responsibilities to ship, passengers, crew, and cargo. Briefly, he is charged with the following specific duties and responsibilities: etc. 1. The safe navigation of his vessel. 2. The general management and care of his vessel. 3. The proper coaling-provisioning-supplying of water— 4. That she be fully found-anchors-cables-warps— hawsers-boats―rafts-life-saving equipment-fire-fighting equipment, as required by law-compasses chronometerscharts-sailing directions sextants-and stores of all kinds needed to safely navigate her. 5. The proper signing of the ship's articles. 6. The keeping of the Official Log. 7. The carrying of a properly equipped medicine chest. 8. The carrying of a required slop chest, and compliance with the laws regulating the sale of slops. 9. He is liable for the wrong delivery of specie and cargo, or for loss or damage to the same due to carelessness or mismanagement on the part of the crew. 10. He is responsible for any neglect through which the validity of the insurance to ship or cargo is called into question. II. He must enforce the rule that the vessel is never to be left without an officer in charge, either at sea or in harbor, day or night. 12. He shall see that a licensed engineer officer is on duty when steam is up on a boiler. 13. When maneuvering—in and out of port-or at sea, he should see that the most qualified engineer officers on board are in charge of the working of the engines. 14. He must see that no waste or extravagance is praticed with the ship's stores and provisions. 15. He must see that the lawful scale of provisions is issued to the crew. 16. He must see that no prohibited cargo or stores come aboard, and that his hatches are battened down before going to sea. He is responsible for the correct lading of the vessel. 17. He must enter and clear his vessel at the custom house. He must see that the proper papers are produced. Ship's register (with his name entered as master). Manifest; Bills of Health; Passenger and stores list; and any other papers that may be required. 18. He must be familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations, in force in the various countries and at the various ports he visits. 19. He should find out where to obtain the services of the local medical authorities, and the police authorities, when in a strange port. |