Responsibilities of a minder, features of the profession

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Despite the active introduction of modern control mechanisms in the fleet and the growth in the number of fully automated systems, the profession of minder is still relevant. The number of job postings tells us that the market is not saturated with such specialists, there is always work for them. So, what kind of position is this, in which unmanned modern technology cannot displace a person in any way?

Who is a minder?

A motorist is a worker who deals with engines, troubleshoots and monitors their smooth operation.

There is still such a profession as a minder-helmsman. This is a person from the sea or river fleet, who, in addition to the standard duties of a minder, also manages the vessel and can correct the course. What exactly should he do? Let's look further.

Responsibilities of minder

What does such a specialist do on a ship? Consider in more detail the job responsibilities of a minder:

• Maintenance and operation of internal combustion engines.
• Preparing, starting and stopping engines and auxiliary mechanisms.
• Control the vessel and the course of the vessel under the supervision of the immediate superior (included in the duties of the steering minder on the vessel).
• Cleaning, lubrication, maintenance of steering mechanisms.

Sailor-minder

If the job description states that an employee also performs the duties of a sailor-minder, then the list of his tasks and skills is expanding. In this case, he must know not only the work of a minder, but also be able to perform the same duties as an ordinary sailor: knit knots, clean the deck, know first aid techniques for drowning people, do painting work, etc.

Personal Requirements

Any work, in addition to knowledge and professional skills, requires certain personal qualities. A person who constantly requires communication is unlikely to effectively perform work on a space station all alone for half a year. Conversely, if someone is afraid of children and "squeezes" the need to speak, they are unlikely to make a successful career as an animator.

The situation is exactly the same with the profession of a minder - there are certain subtleties of personality, character traits and he alth that will help in mastering this profession. Some of them are highly desirable for a person who has decided to take on the duties of a minder.

Ability to work in a team. Motorists, like the rest of the crew, spend a long time in a confined space with someand by the same people. It is logical that being in a team should be comfortable for all its members, this directly increases the productivity of work. The minder should be a team player, not a lone wolf who loves solitude. Mutual assistance and friendliness - these are the components that must be present in a person acting as a minder on a ship

• Stamina and good physical shape. This profession is not for white hands. Often you will have to deal with heavy parts of the engine, with motor components. It is desirable for a minder to have good physical fitness.
• Discipline. Here again it will not be superfluous to recall the need for teamwork. If an order is received from a higher management, the minder is obliged to fulfill it on time and without any questions. If a person is characterized by a certain laxity, morbid pride and irresponsibility, then he can let down the whole team and is obviously not suitable for work as a minder.
• Good vestibular apparatus, hearing, vision. Everyone knows that cosmonauts need a developed vestibular apparatus, but marine workers need it just as much. Storms, storms, rocking - sometimes work is required in extreme conditions. The minder definitely should not suffer from seasickness. An experienced specialist can identify some malfunctions by characteristic sounds, respectively, good hearing will also be far from superfluous in this work. Good eyesight is required to measure the distance between two ships "by eye",distance to the coast, visually assess the obstacles that appear on the way. Realizing that observation will have to be carried out in fog and rain, as well as at night, we conclude that a minder needs sharp vision no less than sharp hearing.
• Developed spatial thinking. The water surface is not a federal highway - there are no mileage signs or settlements on it. The minder must be well oriented in the water and remember the details of the places he saw.
• Good reaction. Acting as a minder, it is required to control several objects at the same time. You can't be distracted by your attention. In addition, when any element of the engine fails, prompt decision-making is required. This means that a quick reaction is also necessary.

Professional requirements

• Knowledge of the principles of operation of the engine, the rules for their operation and maintenance. This is a basic requirement, as the minder works directly with the motor and its components.
• Troubleshooting. The duty of the minder is “to make everything work”, so he must be able to perform minor repairs on his own.
• Ability to swim and handle a boat. Situations in the sea or on the river can be different, and a minder sailor who cannot swim is, of course, nonsense.

Minder: Handyman

To successfully perform the duties of a watch mechanic, an employee must know everything about his vessel - the purpose of all valves andvalves, understand how anchor mechanisms work, where pipelines are located on the vessel, what are the ways of mooring the vessel.

On his shoulders - taking care of the serviceability of the signal lights and steering gear, control over the change in the engine operating mode, the presence of lubricant in it and the level of pollution.

He must maintain maximum coordination of attention while on duty. And this, for a second, is up to 8 hours on passenger ships and up to 12 hours on ships of a different type.

At the same time, it is necessary to remember and observe numerous safety rules every second and quickly respond to problems. Such work maximizes multitasking.

Responsibility of minder

This work requires not only patience, but also responsibility. According to article 330 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation (“Discipline of employees whose work is directly related to the movement of vehicles”), a minder is subject to disciplinary liability for improper performance through his fault of direct duties.

And to everything else, such an employee is financially responsible for the inventory items entrusted to him.

What other areas do motorists work in?

In addition to sea and river navigation, minders can work in two more areas:

• Aviation. Here they are called aviation mechanics. The duties of a minder in aviation include the repair and supervision of the operation of piston aircraft engines. At the moment, this profession is a thing of the past - modern aircraft are mostlyhave gas turbine engines.
• Car services. Workers who call themselves minders also work here. In fact, these are auto mechanics specializing in the repair of internal combustion engines.

Employees from these areas are rarely called minders. Nevertheless, for the most part, for most people, the profession of a minder is associated primarily with water spaces.