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Onboard duties of the cruise leader

(Excerpt from the ship management contract; attachment 9)


a) Determination of the route and the work processes after consultation with the captain.

b) Coordination of a smooth cooperation of the different groups. The cruise leader is authorised to give instructions for the scientific personnel and other persons who are onboard on behalf of AWI.

c) Adaption of the programme to weather and ice conditions or to findings from the previous work. He may therefore change the scientific working plan insofar as the available time is not exceeded and safety not affected.

d) Assigning the accomodation and work place to the scientific participants.

e) Supervision of the laboratories. Usage of the laboratories is overseen by the cruise leader. Technical support for the laboratories is provided by the crew.

f) Securing a smooth life onboard. In order to keep cleanliness and order onboard the cruise leader oversees the general order and careful treatment of the chambers and laboratories.

g) Representation of RV POLARSTERN and AWI towards scientific institutions and together with the captain towards authorities during stays in foreign harbours.

h) Information about the progress of the cruise. The cruise leader organizes informational and planning meetings and distributes a work programme. He writes weekly reports about the cruise for outward information.

i) The cruise leader decides about helicopter operations in agreement with the captain and the flight officer and signs the flight instructions.

j) Services of the agencies in foreign harbours have to ordered by the cruise leader, the captain or the AWI logistics. Private use of services or other support by the agency goes on the own account of the participants and usually has to be paid in cash.

k) The cruise leader has the authority to invite people including catering. This requires agreement with the captain.

l) If required by the course of the journey the captain receives the weapons from the captain upon arrival in the working area and hands them back after departure. During the stay in the working area the cruise leader is responsible for proper handling of the weapons.


Tasks that go beyond the ship management contract:

  • Organisation of shuttle busses in the harbour.
  • Organisation of the group transfer to the airport or to the hotel
  • Clarifying open questions with the participants and if necessary the agency (e.g. last minute purchases etc.)
  • The cruise leader prepares a working programme after consultation with the captain and the cruise members. The programme will be distributed electronically. Furthermore he informes the cruise members in meetings and coordinates the demands on the crew. He also organizes social events and the farewell event at the end of the journey.
  • Clarifying rules for smoking onboard at the expedition start.
  • Invitation to the captain for a final meeting at the end of the expedition.

Responsibilities of the cruise leader

The cruise leader is responsible for all expeditions members. This concerns:


    • Care and health

    • Adherence to the legally prescribed rest periods.

    • Adherence to safety instructions for working on deck, in the laboratories and other rooms, on the ice, onshore etc..

    • Health care considering alcohol and smoking

    • Diplomatic proposals for marine research (proposal, adherence to obligations, reporting)

    • Compliance with the obligations of the German Environment Agency

    • Adherence to local rules during works onshore (e.g. Greenland)

    • Compliance with the regulations of the Antarctic Treaty and protocols

    • Documentation of participation in the Environment Protection Seminar

    • Compliance to image and name rights

    • Release of von Medienveröffentlichungen im Sinne des AWI (K & M)

    • Einhaltung der Kommunikationsrichtlinien des AWI (K & M)

    • Ordnung und Sicherheit der Expeditionsteilnehmer

    • Zustand der Kammern, Freizeiträume und allg.Verhalten an Bord

    • Kommunikation mit dem AWI (Logistikabteilung) bei Vorfällen und Notfällen


Da die Fahrtleitung nicht zu jedem Zeitpunkt überall zugegen sein kann, müssen bestimmte Aufgaben organisatorisch auf mehrer Schultern verteilt werden. Die Organisation und regelmäßige Überprüfung der getroffenen Regelungen obliegt der Fahrtleitung.

Es kann auch eine stellvertretender Fahrtleitung ernannt werden, die die Aufgaben und Verantwortung der Fahrtleitung im Falle von Abwesenheiten übernimmt.

Aufgaben u. Verantwortungen können an Gruppenleiter oder beauftragte Personen übertragen, bzw. delegiert werden. Die Übertragung muss schriftlich dokumentiert werden mit Thema, Aufgaben, Name, Datum, Unterschrift beider Parteien.

Die Verantwortung in den jeweiligen Bereichen reicht u.a. bis in arbeits-, haftungs- und ggf. strafrechtliche Bereiche. Eine private Haftung jedes Fahrtteilnehmers in seinem jeweiligen Verantwortungsbereich ist je nach Umstand nicht ausgeschlossen! Der jeweilige Arbeitgeber ist nicht in jedem Fall haftbar.

Es gilt grundsätzlich die gesamte deutsche Gesetzgebung an Bord.



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