## 2 Background
### Defined Officer and Crew Positions
The GMDSS station is normally located in a designated area on the bridge deck
* C/M normally stands the 0400-0800 and 1600-2000 and is also the Cargo Mate. He/she maintains a Management level license and is in charge of the stability of the vessel in-port and underway as well as cargo operations and cargo inspections. The C/M has many other ancillary duties including crew training, vessel maintenance, waste disposal, and overtime management. The C/M is in charge of all unlicensed Deck crew, which typically consists of three unlicensed Able-Bodied Seamen (AB's) under the guidance of the senior unlicensed seafarer, the [PERSON]'s Mate (BOS'N)  
Certain companies, such as Military Sealift Command, which provides support and supply to the US Navy, or large passenger vessels may carry additional Mates onboard. Crews of these vessels are typically larger due to the nature of their work. These additional positions are not required by the MSMC but can be instituted by the company. If additional Mates are a part of the crew, a common scenario is two 3/M onboard as watch standers, and the C/M who does not stand watch will then be available to work the dayshift. Another scenario is an additional Mate onboard, who acts as the Cargo Mate. In this case, the C/M may stand watch, and the Cargo Mate is in charge of all cargo operations. Another scenario is an additional 2/M onboard to act solely as the Navigator; they do not stand watch. On large passenger vessels, there may be a Staff Captain in addition to the Master. He/she is second in command and is head of the Deck Department and bridge, while the Master remains ultimately responsible for all aspects of the vessel. In addition to Licensed Deck Officers, there are unlicensed personnel in the Deck Department, which include Ordinary Seamen (OS) and Able Seamen (AB). The former are entry level, and the latter are qualified unlicensed watch standards. ABs are typically day workers [32] and take on duties of deck maintenance and operations under the guidance of the C/M. On the bridge, they may be assigned as helmsman and lookout to assist the OICNW but do not hold the responsibility of the watch. The Engineering Department mimics the Deck Department. For unlimited tonnage vessels, there must be a licensed Chief Engineer onboard, as well as additional licensed engineers such as a First Assistant Engineer (1A/E), Second Assistant Engineer (2A/E), and Third Assistant Engineer (3A/E). The actual number and position required is determined by the MSMC. Their licenses also vary based on the type of propulsion that they have the required experience in, being steam, gas turbine, and diesel. Typically the 1A/E through 3A/E stand watch in the engine room  
Unlicensed members of the Engineering Department, similar to that of OSs and ABs, are called Wipers and Qualified Members of the Engineering Department (QMEDs), respectively. Unmanned engine rooms still have a Licensed Engineer on shift for standby 24 h a day. In addition to the Deck and Engine Departments, there is the Steward's Department, which typically consists of a Chief Steward, Stewards, and Assistant Stewards. This department is responsible for food provisions and providing meals to Officers and Crew, as well as maintaining living quarters. The Chief Steward is the Department Head and supervises the galley, tracks overtime, and is responsible for crew living quarters. He/she is also responsible for all food supplies, including inventory, ordering, and meal planning for a vessel's voyage [33]. Other personnel in this department consist of Stewards and Assistant Stewards (entry level), who bear the responsibilities of cook and cabin cleaning/maintenance [34]. There may be multiple personnel within this department, or as few as a Chief Steward and Cook, depending on the size of the crew onboard, company, and vessel.