The
deck department, lead by the staff captain, is responsible for safely navigating the ship underway, ship's hull and superstructure (both interior and exterior) maintenance and upkeep, swimming pools and whirlpool spas upkeep, and the safety, security and medical programs on board.
Departments in merchant ships are broadly classified into three main areas namely the
deck department, the engine department and the service department, offering career opportunities as either an Officer or Rating.
I was termed an unestablished seaman, although I had attended a sea school, trained and was a qualified seaman in the
deck department.
Additionally, the Senior SODHC program prepares career minded Supply Officers for the rigors of leading a large
deck department.
Deck Department Sailors manned several different stations during the UNREP using the training they received.
A young Sailor from the
deck department was carrying five containers full of grey and white paint when the bottom container slipped, sending all five containers plummeting to the deck.
In the
deck department, cadets will help plan each new sea route, while at the same time looking after cargo operations and creating a safe and secure environment throughout the ship.
Tamara Becker has been named third mate in the
deck department. Becker, an eight-year veteran of the Merchant Marine, said she earned the promotion "by meeting all of the requirements and working hard."
Lack of PMS continues to be the root cause of all
deck department safety survey discrepancies.
They really did not want African-Americans in the
deck department; they wanted us to be stewards.
All the motors used on deck are extra-heavy-duty models, and although the
deck department is responsible for regularly inspecting them to make certain they are working, if repairs are needed, the work is handled by the engineering staff.