{"id":99663,"date":"2026-10-22T16:46:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/cargo-ship-crew-roles"},"modified":"2026-10-22T16:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:46:09","slug":"cargo-ship-crew-roles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/cargo-ship-crew-roles","title":{"rendered":"Who&#8217;s Who on a Cargo Ship: Captain, Officers and Crew Roles Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"Who's Who on a Cargo Ship: Captain, Officers and Crew Roles Explained\",\n            \"description\": \"Meet the crew of a cargo ship: the captain, chief officer, chief engineer, bosun, cook and steward. What each role does, how many crew there are and life alongside them.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/cargo-ship-crew-roles\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/AdobeStock_308496369-1024x682.jpeg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How many crew are on a cargo ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually about 20&ndash;30, even on the largest container ships.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Who is in charge of a cargo ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The captain, also called the Master, has overall command and responsibility.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What does the chief officer do?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The chief officer is second in command and responsible for cargo, stability and the deck crew.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Is there a doctor among the crew?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"No. Officers are trained in first aid and medical care instead.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can passengers talk to the crew?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Passengers eat with the officers and often get to know the crew well, while respecting their working hours.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script><\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Last updated: 22 October 2026<\/p><p><strong>A modern container ship runs with a crew of only about 20 to 30 people, even on the very largest ships.<\/strong> As a passenger you will eat with the officers, meet the crew in the corridors and on deck, and quickly learn who does what. Here is a guide to the people who run a cargo ship.<\/p><h2>Typical cargo ship crew<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Department<\/th><th>Roles<\/th><th>What they do<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Command<\/td><td>Captain (Master)<\/td><td>Overall responsibility for ship, crew, cargo and passengers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Deck<\/td><td>Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer<\/td><td>Navigation watches, cargo, safety equipment, medical care<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Deck ratings<\/td><td>Bosun, able seamen, ordinary seamen<\/td><td>Mooring, maintenance, deck work, lookout<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Engine<\/td><td>Chief Engineer, Second, Third and Fourth Engineers<\/td><td>Main engine, generators and all machinery<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Engine ratings<\/td><td>Fitters, oilers, wipers<\/td><td>Maintenance and repairs in the engine room<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Catering<\/td><td>Cook, steward or messman<\/td><td>Meals, provisions and accommodation cleaning<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_289497060-1024x684.jpeg\" alt=\"Container ship close-up showing the accommodation block and bridge\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container ship close-up showing the accommodation block and bridge\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">The bridge and accommodation block sit at the stern of most container ships.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>The captain<\/h2><p>The captain, formally called the Master, is in command of the ship and responsible for everyone on board, including passengers. On many ships the captain is very welcoming to passengers and may invite you to visit the bridge or join them for dinner.<\/p><h2>The deck officers<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Chief Officer (Chief Mate):<\/strong> second in command, responsible for cargo, stability and the deck crew<\/li><li><strong>Second Officer:<\/strong> usually the navigation officer who plans the route<\/li><li><strong>Third Officer:<\/strong> often responsible for safety equipment<\/li><\/ul><p>The officers keep navigation watches on the bridge around the clock. Officers also share responsibility for medical care, as there is no doctor on board.<\/p><h2>The engineers<\/h2><p>The Chief Engineer runs the engine department, keeping the main engine, generators, fuel and water systems working day and night. If you ask politely, some chief engineers arrange an escorted engine-room visit, which is loud, hot and fascinating.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container cargo ship alongside in port\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container cargo ship alongside in port\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">In port, the deck crew and officers work around the clock on cargo operations.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>The ratings<\/h2><p>The <strong>bosun<\/strong> leads the deck ratings, who handle mooring lines, painting, maintenance and lookout duties. You will see them at work every day on deck.<\/p><h2>The cook and steward<\/h2><p>The cook feeds the whole ship, three meals a day, often with dishes from the crew&rsquo;s home countries. The steward or messman serves meals and looks after the accommodation, including passenger cabins.<\/p><h2>Living alongside the crew<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Respect working hours:<\/strong> officers on watch may be resting at odd times<\/li><li><strong>Ask before visiting<\/strong> the bridge or engine room<\/li><li><strong>Join in when invited:<\/strong> crew barbecues, birthdays or a game of table tennis<\/li><li><strong>Remember it is their workplace and home<\/strong> for months at a time<\/li><\/ul><p>Many passengers say getting to know the crew is the most rewarding part of the voyage.<\/p><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>How many crew are on a cargo ship?<\/h3><p>Usually about 20&ndash;30, even on the largest container ships.<\/p><h3>Who is in charge of a cargo ship?<\/h3><p>The captain, also called the Master, has overall command and responsibility.<\/p><h3>What does the chief officer do?<\/h3><p>The chief officer is second in command and responsible for cargo, stability and the deck crew.<\/p><h3>Is there a doctor among the crew?<\/h3><p>No. Officers are trained in first aid and medical care instead.<\/p><h3>Can passengers talk to the crew?<\/h3><p>Yes. Passengers eat with the officers and often get to know the crew well, while respecting their working hours.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Want to sail alongside a real ship&rsquo;s crew?<\/strong><p>Book a passenger cabin and experience life on a working cargo ship.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/sinformer-pour-une-croisiere-cargo\/\">Find your voyage &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet the crew of a cargo ship: the captain, chief officer, chief engineer, bosun, cook and steward. 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