<P> The captain or master is the ship's highest responsible officer, acting on behalf of the ship's owner . Whether the captain is a member of the deck department or not is a matter of some controversy, and generally depends on the opinion of an individual captain . When a ship has a third mate, the captain does not stand watch . </P> <P> The captain is legally responsible for the day - to - day affairs of the ship as he / she is in command . It is his / her responsibility to ensure that all the departments under him / her perform legally to the requirements of the ship's owner . The captain represents the owner and hence is called "master". </P> <P> The Chief Officer / First mate (often called the Chief mate in the United States) is the head of the deck department on a merchant vessel, second - in - command after the ship's Master . The Chief mate's primary responsibilities are the vessel's cargo operations, its stability, and supervising the deck crew . The mate is responsible for the safety and security of the ship, as well as the welfare of the crew on board . The chief mate typically stands the 4--8 navigation watch as OICNW (officer in - charge of the navigational watch), directing the bridge team . Some crews have additional Third mates, which allow the Chief mate to not stand navigational watch, and focus more on cargo and deck operations . Additional duties include maintenance of the ship's hull, cargo gears, accommodations, life saving appliances and firefighting appliances . The chief mate also trains the crew and cadets on various aspects like safety, firefighting, search and rescue, and various other contingencies . The chief officer assumes command of the whole ship in the absence or incapacitation of the master . </P> <P> The Second officer / Second mate is a qualified OICNW watch stander, directing the bridge team and navigating the ship . The Second mate is the 3rd most experienced deck department officer after the Captain / Master and Chief mate . The Second mate's primary duty is navigational, which includes updating charts and publications, keeping them current, making passage plans, and all aspects of ship navigation . The Second mate's other duties may include directing line handlers, cargo watches, directing anchor detail and training and instructing crew members . </P>

Who comes after the captain on a ship