Chief Officer (CO) at Caracal Oil and Gas Services Limited

The Caracal Oil & Gas Support Group is an offshore oilfield solutions group of companies established in 2013 with the vision to bring world-class operating standards to support offshore West African oil and gas operators.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Officer (CO)

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• The CO is the Head of the Deck Department. He reports directly to the Master.
• He takes command of the vessel if the Master is absent or incapacitated until relieved.
• He prepares loading and discharging plans and monitors ships integrity (e.g. draft/UKC and stresses) during cargo operations.
• The CO works with the Chief Engineer to maintain cargo and ballast systems and common ship records.
• He is responsible for cargo operations and MARPOL [ODME] compliance.

Responsibilities
Cargo Duties:

The CO is responsible:

• For preparing cargo plans and ballast plans
• For checking cargo system & preparing cargo space
• For preparation of, operation of and control of cargo equipment including personal supervision of commencement and completion of cargo and ballast operations
• For safe stress, ballast distribution & control of ballast movement
• For the stability, trim & draft during load/discharge operations
• For the stability, trim & draft during sea passage
• Management of ballast water & maintaining records including those for regulations
• For ballast tank manholes/inlet etc. closing before receiving cargo
• For supervision and direct work on:
  • Cargo loading/discharge as per instructions
  • Deck openings & load lines items
  • Cargo gear, gangways & deck equipment
• For the supervision of cargo (temperature etc) and its log books
• Preparing and maintaining cargo and ballast records as required by the company, charterers and regulations.
• Calculation of the cargo quantiles onboard and preparation of cargo documentation as required
• For writing orders (standing or otherwise) regarding cargo operations and ensuring that the orders are understood and signed by all relevant officers and the cargo watch.
• For monitoring/checking for  toxic/dangerous gases and vapours   in  all components and recording results
• For ensuring work is planned, carried out and supervised with the aim ofcara minimizing accidents, injuries and diseases.

Safety Duties:
The CO ensures:

• May be appointed as Safety Officer (SO). (FM_2.01 SAFETY OFFICER)
• The vessel is prepared to go to sea, regardless of weather
• Checks implications of new/changed machinery and practices
• A proper cargo/port watch is maintained by duty officers
• Above watch complies with safety/environmental requirements
• All deck and shore personnel are working in a safe manner
• Side-doors & deck openings are closed before departing
• The holding of emergency rain drills (under the direction of Master)
• Instructs deck and catering
• Ensures the above know location of department’s safety equipment
• Searches for stowaways and drugs with the other department heads
• Recording of incidents, accident reports and statistics (with SO)
• Safety standards and main dining safety equipment (with CE and SO)
• All passengers are issued with safety equipment & instructed in its use
• Visitors understand and follow safety procedures.

General+ Maintenance Duties:
The CO:

• Is the oil spill co-ordinator on the Company vessels
• Is responsible for oil spill prevention equipment
• Ensures the preparations on deck for approach to port waters
• Ensures thepreparations on deck for arrival into port/lightering areas.
• Ensures theGarbage Management onboard including posters, records, audits, etc.
• Usually acts as the ship’s ECO - Environmental Compliance Officer - Master’s discretion.
• Ensures daily sound/ullaging of blast/cargo tanks, p/room and/or deck compartments, etc. and compared with remote readings.
• Ensures recording above in Deck Log.
• Ensures deck spare parts, stores, tools & paint (labeling, maintenance, etc)
• Ensures the receipt of, and signs for, deck stores and spares
• Ensures that quality & quantity of delivered items conform with the order
• Ensures the Master is informed immediately of deficiencies inorder carried out as per the PMS/Maker’s instructions
• Identifies critical equipment and ensures PMS procedure for them.
• Ensures the record keeping & reporting deficiencies of the above to Master & CE with the CE for maintenance of:
  • Cargo spaces
  • Hull
  • Decks
  • Accommodation (including Catering Department),
  • Tanks and void spaces, piping tunnels
  • Valves and piping system.

Crew Duties:
The CO:

• May be the Medical Officer (MO) (See FM_3.02.09 and FM_3.02.10) [Master’s decision]
• Informs Master about health and welfare of the crew
• Schedules the daily work of the deck crew and Catering Department
• Ensures correct employment of above within normal working hours
• Distributes overtime assignments for above
• Guides Junior Officers in the use the PMS system.
• Prepares evaluation reports for deck officers/crew
• Keeps Master advised on performance of deck officers/deck crew
• Supervises training of any DC/AO onboard
• Assigning tasks to the Cadets & monitoring their progress
• Signs the Cadet’s Training Record book at least once a month.
• Develops crew under him through personal contact, guidance and example.

Navigation Duties:
The CO:

• May be appointed as Navigational Officer in special circumstances as decided by the Master. The Company must be notified in such a case - usually the 2M is the Navigation Officer.
• Keeps Navigation Watch on vessels without additional Navigation Officer
• If appointed, performs all duties assigned to the Navigational  Officer (See FM_6.0l).
• If there are 3 deck officers (C0,2M,3M) then the CO should make 8 navigational watches per month subject to workload and Master’s discretion.

Qualifications
The CO's qualifications are:

• Engineering / Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g. Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering)
• Possession of all valid certificates under STCW and the Flag of the ship for the type of the ship and her trading including BOSEIT
• Possession of all valid certificates under STCW and the Flag of the ship for the type of the ship and her trading including BOSEIT.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience
• Age range between: 35 - 45
• Be internally promoted from within the Company or having a personal recommendation from his previous employer, who must be considered by the Company as a first class operator.
• This recommendation and its verification by MD/OM/I’M will be kept in the CO’s file. The CSO shall verify appropriately.
• A new to Company CO must be carefully supervised by a Company Masters or SupM for at least one load and one discharge prior to the completion of his probation.
• It is expected that the overlap with the prior CO will be approximately 1 week.

Application Closing Date
21st July, 2023.