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 lab container. Usage of the lab container 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 cabins 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 is on each participants own account 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 chief scientist receives the weapons from the captain upon arrival in the working area and returns them after departure. During the stay in the working area the chief scientist is responsible for proper handling of the weapons.
The chief scientist is responsible for all expeditions members. This concerns:
Because the chief scientist cannot be everywhere at the same time some duties may rest on several shoulders. Organization and control of the arrangements is duty of the chief scientist.
A representative may be delegated to act as assistant chief scientist in case the chief scientist 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:
General work safety instructions for ships can be found in the "Handbook of safe working practice" published by the workers compensation board (BG Verkehr). Implementation of the occupational safety and health standards stated therein will be supervised by the Chief Mate / 1st Officer together with the Chief Scientist and the safety representative (see People in charge). It can be downloaded as free App (english & german) for easy offline use on smart phones or tablets:
The same guide is also available in hard copy in the messrooms on board of RV Polarstern.
If tasks are planned on board or on the ice that are not covered by this guide or safety measures defined by AWI, a risk analysis has to be carried out by the chief scientist to define the risks and find mitigation measures. Guidance on how to carry out a risk analysis can be found here: Gefährdungsbeurteilungen / Risk Assessments
Lab work: Research work that is carried out in the different laboratories on board requires the preperation of a risk assessment for each lab before the expedition starts. Due to the fact that the cruise leader cannot oversee all of the different experiments that are carried out in the different labs, the laboratory manager (see here People in charge) of each lab has the responsibility to prepare a risk assessment for the respective lab and hand it over to the cruise leader for checking well before the start of the expedition to make sure that the intended expediments can be carried out safely.
Compliance with work hours and rest periods is the responsibility of the cruise leader. Check attached documents for regulations regarding work hours and overtimes on expeditions.