DeepSeaSailorGuy's definitions

Merchant Marine Officer

Licensed professional seafarers who work in either the deck or engine departments of Merchant Vessels. They ascend to these positions based on either Maritime College educations, or less commonly through time served and advancements 'up the hawsepipe' through testing.

Deck officers: 3RD Mate (primarily safety officer), 2ND Mate (primarily navigations officer, Chief Mate (supervisor), and Captain (overall command of vessel and personnel)

Engine Officers: 3RD Assistant Engineer, 2ND Assistant Engineer, 1ST Assistant Engineer, and Chief Engineer (in charge of entire engine room and shipboard mechanical/electrical components)

(NOTE: Steward's Department does not consist of any officers, all personnel in this department are unlicensed but certain Stewards carry more authority than others.)

Before becoming a vessel operations manager, Brian sailed as a Merchant Marine officer with Moore McCormack Lines.

by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007

Hawespiper

One who works his way up to a Licensed Officer's position in either the deck or engine departments of the Merchant Marine after starting from the very bottom as either a Wiper or Ordinary Seaman. This is most commonly seen on tugs and barges nowadays, since the USCG decided that suddenly experienced sailors are too stupid to advance to these positions on deep sea vessels without college degrees.

Climbing the ranks is referred to as 'climbing up the hawsepipe.' A man or woman who achieved this feat is respectfully called a hawser, or hawsepiper.

Captain Johnson is a hawespiper. He started as an Ordinary Seaman at age 18 and eventually worked his way up to become an officer.

by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007