Travelblog Si Gemok: Admin Officer

Career as Ship Administrative Officer.

Overview

Ship Administrative Officer or A/O is a post created by MISC Berhad to replace Catering Officer/Chief Steward on board their company's vessel. The job for this post originally combination of responsibility of Radio Officer and Chief Steward/Catering Officer. Both post now no more available on most merchant vessel due to technology & cost cutting. Some others shipping company may have this position but with different post name. Currently in Malaysia, only MISC Berhad still employ A/O in their most trading vessel. .

Jobs Description. (Generally)

- - Accountable for keeping of crew certification, crew’s wages, salary and rest hour record.

- -Assist Master in handling the crews’ welfare & catalyst to create safe & harmony life among crews

- -Preparing vessel’s pre arrival information required & port paper for inbound and outbound clearance at all ports of call.

- -Assisting Ship Security Officer (Master) for preparing all documents regarding security matters including any Pre Arrival Notification (PAN) for port of call.

- -Act as Head of Catering Department on the assign vessel.

- - Directly involved in planning & purchasing of food ration and bonded items for assign vessel.

- - Ensure the effective cost control for food served onboard without compromising the quality.

- -Assist Master in updating all International Safety Management filing systems onboard vessel.

- - Prepare vessel monthly accounting report for payroll, Officer Experience Matrix & meeting minutes for - sending to Headquarters. (Secretarial Jobs)

d Tips - The jobs seem easy, but it really hard to satisfy about 30 crews(including cadet/trainee) came from various nationality. ~~If got good chief cook, it mean, half of A/O burden already relives.~~

Qualification & Training.

MISC required at least diploma (most of Admin Officer is degree holder) for this post. Once selected after interview, the candidate will undergo training at ALAM (Akademi Laut Malaysia) for 3 months for modular & basic safety training to get certificate according to IMO. At ALAM, candidate also was taught about basic costing for provision, basic introduction to port paper and also cooking & stewardship jobs.

Once complete training at ALAM, candidate will join vessel as Jr Admin Officer under supervision of experienced Admin Officer for on job training purpose at least for 3 months. It varies situation between the candidate. Candidate was promoted to Admin Officer between 3-6 months depends on their performance while serving on board or on their next service assignment.

Ship Board Service and Holidays

Jr Admin Officer - 6 on and 3 off

Admin Officer - 6 on and 3 off

Sr. Admin Officer -4 on and 2 off

Career Enhancement.

This post is stringent & rigid post. The unwritten rules is, after 5 years as A/O, that guy can apply to be promoted to Sr A/O. Even promoted, the jobs description & others monetary benefits still same. Only different is the SBS service. Sr AO enjoys 4 months on board while AO need to serve 6 months according to contract of employment.