Onboard duties of the chief scientist
(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 chief scientist 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 chief scentist. 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 chief scientist 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 chief scientist organizes informational and planning meetings and distributes a work programme. He writes weekly reports about the cruise for outward information.
i) The chief scientist 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 chief scientist, 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 chief scientist 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 chief scientist 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 chief scientist
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 media publications in the sense of AWI
- Compliance of the communication guidelines of AWI
- Order and safety of the expedition members
- Condition of the chambers, the leisure rooms and general behaviour onboard
- Communication with the AWI logistics in case of incidents or emergency
Because the cruise leader cannot be everywhere at the same time some duties may rest on several shoulders. Organization and control of the arrangements is duty of the cruise leader.
A representative may be named for cruise leadership in case the cruise leader is absent.
Duties and responsibilities can be delegated to group leaders or other persons. The delegation has to be documented in writing with subject of the document, date and signature of both parties.
Responsibilities may reach into areas where labour law, liability law or criminal law can apply. A private liability of a expedition member in his area of responsibility cannot be excluded. The particular employer is not liable in every case.
German legislation applies onboard.
Information for cruise leaders on mobbing and harassment: