The Master has the ultimate responsibility for the vessel and its cargo. He or she is also responsible for the safety and well-being of the crew onboard. The Master has a number of officers on the bridge to assist in duties there. The Chief Officer (or Mate) is the highest ranking of these officers and is also responsible for maintenance, for loading and discharging cargo. The Second and Third Officers take turns standing watch on the bridge, sometimes along with the Chief Officer.
The Chief Engineer has overall responsibility for ensuring that all the onboard technical equipment functions correctly and safely, including Star, the purchasing system used by the vessels. He is also responsible for the engine room’s crew and for ensuring that they have a safe and functional work environment. The Chief engineer is also responsible for optimising the bunker consumption and for fire safety onboard.
The Second Engineer is responsible for the engines and day-to-day operations and maintenance work. If the Chief Engineer is unavailable, the Second Engineer takes charge in his or her place. The engine room also has an Electrical Engineer who is responsible for ensuring that the electrical equipment onboard is used correctly and that it is kept in good condition. In the engine room, there is also sometimes a Fourth engineer.
In addition to the officer on watch, there is also always an Able Seaman (AB) on the bridge, taking turns to stand watch. There are four ABs onboard every vessel. During daylight hours, they carry out repair and maintenance work. The Deck Ratings, or the deck crew, as they are also known, are led by the Bosun.
The cook steward serves good and nutritious food three times a day and is also responsible for making the required purchases. Onboard there is also a First Repairman who carries out general technical maintenance work and a Mess Man who keeps the cabins clean and helps out in the galley if needed. In the engine room, there is also a Motorman, helping out with the maintenance.
Many vessels also carry apprentices. Wallenius accepts young people studying at upper secondary school or on the ship’s officer training courses in Gothenburg and Kalmar.