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Master Position Responsibilities Overview

The document outlines the responsibilities and duties of the Master position on a vessel, emphasizing safety, security, and environmental protection. It details the Master's reporting structure, main duties, compliance with regulations, and responsibilities regarding crew management, maintenance, and cargo handling. The Master is also responsible for training crew members and ensuring adherence to the Company's Quality Management System and relevant maritime laws.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
11 views3 pages

Master Position Responsibilities Overview

The document outlines the responsibilities and duties of the Master position on a vessel, emphasizing safety, security, and environmental protection. It details the Master's reporting structure, main duties, compliance with regulations, and responsibilities regarding crew management, maintenance, and cargo handling. The Master is also responsible for training crew members and ensuring adherence to the Company's Quality Management System and relevant maritime laws.

Uploaded by

neillexter
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

— Printed copy.

For the latest revisions, check UniSea IMS —


Grieg Star
HRS-JD-OFF 0504
Approved: Revision 03 / 01.10.2025

Human Resources • Job Descriptions • Officers


Master
Purpose
Describe the Master position's responsibilities and duties.

Description
1. Organization
Position
1. Owner's representative onboard.
2. In command of the vessel and its complement.
3. Has the overriding authority and responsibility in safety, security, and environmental protection
matters.
4. The Master has legal protection from unjustified dismissal.
The proper discharge of the master's responsibilities is referred to in the IMO's ISM code and IMO Resolution A741(18).

Reporting to
1. Vessel Manager during the usual routine.
2. Head of Maritime HR for maritime personnel matters, including cases of a confidential nature.
3. Charterer (with Vessel Manager in copy) for matters relating to cargo and operation of the vessel.
4. Company Designated Person Ashore (DPA) in accordance with ISM-code.
5. Qualified Individual in US waters when applicable.
6. Company Security Officer (CSO) for matters relating to the vessel's security.

2. Responsibilities and Duties


1. Treat safety and environmental compliance as a top priority.
2. Main Duties
Responsible for the vessel, navigation, safety, security, and seaworthiness, and taking all steps
necessary in this connection.
Ensure compliance with the Company's Quality Management System (IMS), be conversant with the
Company’s health, safety, environment, and quality policies, and issue clear and straightforward
instructions/orders.
Ensure the vessel’s readiness at any time and in any port for inspection by port state control inspectors,
class inspectors, flag state, or any other authorities.
Distribute to his/her officers and crew relevant information from the Company, Authorities, and
Charterer, and confirm that the information is understood and correctly acted upon.
Maintain good order and discipline on board, building the crew's morale, harmony, and cooperation.
Ensure the emergency procedures of the vessel are defined and maintained through planning, training,
and drills.
Ensure personnel engaged as crew members onboard the vessel are assigned duties suitable to their
certification and experience, and verify the certifications/documents are valid and correct for the position
to which the personnel are assigned.
W henever deemed necessary, issue a marine and/or general notes of protest.

3. Rules and Regulations


Comply with national and international rules and regulations in all matters of safety, security, and
protection of the environment.
[HRS-JD-OFF 0504] - Page 1 of 3
— Printed copy. For the latest revisions, check UniSea IMS —
Comply with SOLAS, ISM, ISPS Codes, MLC 2006, and as defined in Company Safety, Security
Environment and Quality Management System (UniSea IMS).
Implement the Quality Management System (UniSea IMS) onboard and verify that the IMS is functioning
correctly.
Motivate the crew to comply with the IMS onboard.
Keep updated and informed about national and international rules and regulations about his/her vessel
and its trade.

4. Safety and Security


Responsible for the safety, security, and health of the crew and passengers, and take all steps
necessary and appropriate in this connection.
Help save lives at sea.
Implement and ensure continuity in crew contingency training and the required emergency exercises.
Ensure all non-conformities, deficiencies, incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported by all crew
members, including senior officers.
Ensure appropriate corrective actions are completed per the company's requirements.
Issue orders in addition to the IMS, for example, night orders.
Ensure sufficient crew members are onboard during port calls to enable the vessel to respond to an
emergency while continuing to operate safely.
Promote safety and risk awareness through job safety analyses and toolbox talks.
Alternate SSO to the Chief Mate.
In the case of average to act:
in the best interest of the Company, Charterer and Cargo Owners;
to protect the lives of the vessel's complement;
to protect the environment from severe damage;
in accordance with the rules and regulations governing salvage and the consequences of major
accidents;
in accordance with the rules and regulations as required by the ISPS Code.

5. Maintenance and Repair


Responsible for maintaining and safekeeping of Class and vessel documents, including Logbooks.
Provide input to the vessel budget and keep the vessel's running expenses within budget limits, without jeopardizing the
vessel's safety and security.
Manage the vessel funds and disbursements and keep the vessel adequately supplied with bunkers, provisions, necessary
stores, and spare parts.
Control all purchasing and spending onboard as per management advice, to avoid unnecessary expenditure.

6. MARPOL
Have thorough knowledge of MARPOL regulations.
Prepare documents required by the Flag State and Authorities in Port.
Ensure strict compliance with MARPOL regulations onboard the vessel.
Ensure that officers and crew are well trained in specific MARPOL regulations and the proper use of
relevant equipment.

7. Administration
Prepare documents required by the Flag State and Authorities in Port.
Notify and report per the Company's treaties, rules, and instructions.
Ensure that the contents of documents offered for signature by third parties are perused carefully. Any documents, the
contents of which require additional review or consultation (e.g., Notes of Protest), shall be marked “For Receipt Only” and
signed.
Sign on behalf of the Company on official documents that do not require further consultation (e.g., DMLC II).

8. Cargo
Responsible for receipt, safe handling, stowage, and cargo delivery.
[HRS-JD-OFF 0504] - Page 2 of 3
— Printed copy. For the latest revisions, check UniSea IMS —
Ensure that there is adequate supervision of all cargo handling operations.

9. Salvage
The responsibility for Salvage rests with the Master under the following guidelines:
Cooperation with the Owners and leading Underwriters shall be established as early as possible.
A Salvage contract shall not be signed until the Owners and Leading Underwriters have been
notified of the situation.
However, should the vessel be in imminent danger and salvage operations are imperative without
the opportunity or time to contact the owners, a contract on the best possible terms should be
signed with a salvor who can render adequate assistance. Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage
Agreement is recommended if a "NO CURE-NO PAY " contract is demanded.
For detailed information about Salvage, general average, collision, average survey, and average repairs, and
claim settlement, see "Guidelines to Master" in cases of average included in the Norwegian Hull Club,
Casualty Response Plan, and the vessel's Contingency Manual.

10. Work Environment


Control crew relations, catering, and welfare.
Promote and ensure full cooperation between all departments on board the vessel.
Carry out regular inspections per Flag State legislation for food, drinking water, galley, and storerooms.

11. T raining
Be a mentor/coach to all officers and crew and promote self-development.
Ensure officers and crew complete onboard training requirements such as CBTs/DVDs.
Ensure that Chief Mate and Chief Engineer conduct shipboard training of cadets and junior officers.

This job description does not limit the employee’s functions to those only mentioned but should extend to
the best of his/her knowledge and ability to give the utmost cooperation to the Master and the Company,
particularly regarding safety, security, and environmental protection.

No references

[HRS-JD-OFF 0504] - Page 3 of 3

Common questions

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The Master ensures strict compliance with MARPOL regulations on board the vessel by maintaining a thorough knowledge of the regulations and preparing necessary documents required by the Flag State and Authorities in Port. They ensure that officers and crew are well-trained in specific MARPOL regulations and the proper use of relevant equipment .

The Master mentors and coaches officers and crew, promoting self-development and ensuring completion of onboard training requirements such as CBTs/DVDs. The Master ensures the Chief Mate and Chief Engineer conduct shipboard training for cadets and junior officers, fostering a collaborative and educational environment on board .

The Master controls crew relations, catering, and welfare, ensuring cooperation between departments on the vessel. They carry out inspections in accordance with Flag State legislation to maintain standards for food, water, and general living conditions on board, all of which contribute to a harmonious work environment .

The Master is responsible for the receipt, safe handling, stowage, and delivery of cargo. They ensure there is adequate supervision of all cargo handling operations to prevent accidents or damage .

The Master has the responsibility to ensure the safety, security, and health of the crew and passengers by implementing continuity in crew contingency training and emergency exercises. They must ensure that all non-conformities, deficiencies, incidents, near misses, and hazards are reported by all crew members. The Master acts as a promoter of safety and risk awareness through job safety analyses and toolbox talks and ensures sufficient crew are onboard during port calls for emergency response. They are also an alternate SSO to the Chief Mate .

The legal protection from unjustified dismissal allows the Master to perform duties with the confidence and authority needed to enforce safety, security, and environmental rules without fear of unfair termination. This ensures decisions are made in the vessel's, crew's, and company's best interests, supporting the overarching goals of maritime safety and efficiency .

The Master is responsible for preparing required documents by the Flag State and Authorities in Port and ensuring documents requiring signature by third parties are carefully reviewed. They sign official documents on behalf of the Company that do not require further consultation and ensure notifications and reports comply with the company's treaties, rules, and instructions .

In urgent salvage operations where the vessel is in imminent danger, the Master can sign a salvage contract under the best possible terms if there is no opportunity to contact the Owners or Leading Underwriters. This action should aim to protect the company, charterer, cargo owners, and the environment. The recommended contract form under such circumstances is Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement if a "NO CURE-NO PAY" contract is required .

The Master manages the vessel's budget by keeping running expenses within limits without sacrificing safety and security. This includes managing vessel funds and disbursements, ensuring the vessel is adequately supplied, and controlling purchasing and spending to avoid unnecessary expenditure .

The vessel Master is responsible for treating safety and environmental compliance as top priorities. This includes ensuring the vessel's compliance with the Company's Quality Management System (IMS) and being conversant with the company’s health, safety, environment, and quality policies. The Master must issue clear instructions, ensure the vessel is always ready for inspection by relevant authorities, and maintain good order and discipline onboard. They also implement emergency procedures through training and drills, and ensure personnel are assigned duties suitable to their certification and experience .

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