What are the ranks for the Merchant Marines?

Answer 1

There are several levels of ranks in the Merchant Marines. The rank titles are apprentice seaman, steward's mate, seaman, fireman, petty officer, warrant officer, ensign, lieutenant, captain, and commodore.

Answer 2

first understand that “the merchant marine” is not a military service or government agency it is an industry, like the airline industry or construction industry.

On a ship there are various jobs, there is of course the ships master mariner or captain, who is in command of the entire ship, just like the captain of a commercial airliner, each has near absolute authority while on their respective vessel or aircraft, hat authority pretty much evaporates once their feet are on terra-firma.

So while the captain of an airliner has legal authority on their plane, they couldn’t for example stop by the home of a flight attendant and start giving orders, nor of course would they have authority of another airlines personnel, even aboard an aircraft, if say a Southwest captain was aboard a Untied flight they couldn’t claim seniority and take command of the aircraft.

A lot of this confusion comes from the oft repeated, and more often misunderstood phrase “becomes an auxiliary to the navy during wartime” which most people seem to interpret as “becomes part of the military” when in fact it means is hired by the U.S. government to move their cargo, just like the flights the military charters to fly troops to Iraq, the flight crews are civilian, just like merchant ship crews are always civilian.

The hierarchy of a (U.S. Flag) merchant ship is as follows

The captain; in charge of and responsible the entire ship, its crew and passengers and cargo.

The Chief Engineer: answers to the captain and is in charge of the ships main plant, auxiliaries, piping systems, electrical system, structure and the personnel who maintain them.

The first engineer; answers to the chief engineer and has day to day control of the engine department. The chief mate : answers to the captain and has day to day control of the deck department. The chief steward: answers to the captain and is in charge of the stewards department

The second engineer: answers to the first engineer and stands an engine room watch if the ship has a manned engine room and/or is responsible for what the first engineer assigns him/her to. The second mate: answers to the chief mate, stands a bridge watch and performs other duties as assigned by the chief mate.

The third engineer: answers to the chief engineer and has day to day control of the engine department. The third mate: answers to the chief mate, stands a bridge watch and performs other duties as assigned by the chief mate.

The ratings are personnel ranging from highly skilled to entry level who perform various tasks within their respective departments.

*Ratings in the engine department answer to the first engineer and have jobs such as; Electricians, Refrigeration engineers, Junior engineers, Oilers, and Wipers.

*Ratings in the deck department include the Boatswain who answers to the chief mate and functions a a foreman for the deck gang the rest of the deck gang work for the boatswain and include Able seafarers and ordinary seafarers

The stewards department includes the chief cook and those who clean dishes and and make beds.

*These are U.S.national ratings, under the STCW agreements international ratings are Able seafarer engine and able seafarer deck.