The duties of the watch, the navigation, and lookout, are much the same for all officers, and will be dealt with under the chapter on the Officer of the Watch.
At sea the routine of keeping the vessel clean, of attending to the upkeep of hull and gear, and of looking after the ventilation of the cargo, is largely a matter of the particular trade in which she is engaged.
A vessel jumping from port to port, with her booms up and down twice a week, presents a different problem from the vessel that keeps at sea a week or two at a time. The weather, the kind of cargo, the fact that passengers are carried or not, all tend to modify and direct the progress of work on board.
Before the Panama Canal was built, cargo vessels trading from the Atlantic Coast to the West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands, carried out a routine at sea as comfortable and settled as that of a sailing ship. Weather and time were in their favor and the maximum amount of painting and overhauling of gear could be attended to between ports.
So far as duty, aside from keeping watch is concerned, the Chief Mate should look after the following:
Have temperature of holds taken twice a day—coal cargo every watch.
Arrange for inspection and ventilation as weather permits.
Carry on all work with as little interference as possible, when passengers are on board.
Take into consideration the weather, when about to start painting. Always clean all surfaces before applying paint.
See a daily washdown of all wooden decks.
Keep all canvas dodgers and screens scrupulously white.
Under him the boatswain carries on the work as outlined.
Boat drills, fire drill, etc., are carried out under his direction while at sea and duly entered in the log.
The Chief Mate should see that all necessary assistance is given to the officer of the watch—when he stands days duty—in matters of taking soundings, turning ventilators, setting and taking in awnings, heaving the deep sea lead, etc. Where the Chief Mate stands his watch, the watch officer on duty during a day watch is technically in full charge, and gives his orders direct.
+Cooperation.+ The Chief Mate should manage his department so that he will obtain the cooperation of the heads of all other departments in the vessel, Chief Engineer, Purser, Doctor, Chief Steward, all should be in harmony. A thorough understanding of the work and needs of these officers helps toward the smooth working of a ship.