Ship's Husbandry - a Fading Art Form Before a ship arrives in port, a great amount of co-ordination and organization has to be undertaken. Without the assistance of shore-based personnel, a merchant vessel would have major problems at every port. 
The most important entity in this scenario is the Agent. This organization arranges for a pilot to guide the vessel to safely to her berth, tugboats to assist with maneuvering, a place at which to berth, bunkers (fuel), if required, stevedores to load or discharge the vessel, books the cargo which is to be loaded, arranges for the cargo to be delivered to correct berth and similar arrangements for departure.
In addition to the commercial aspects of the vessel's port call (the reason for her existence), there are other considerations for the vessel to operate efficiently. Each vessel could be compared to a village, with its own restaurant, electricity supply, laundry, grocery store, repair shops, inhabitants, and so on. The Captain of a cargo ship could be seen as the mayor, although he is not elected, and the hamlet-state is not a democracy! The Captains' job is probably far more difficult than that of the Mayor. He has to be administrator, mother, priest, doctor, psychiatrist, peace officer, judge, disciplinarian, food critic, hotel manager, and many other things. This with a crew that, in many cases consists of several nationalities and cultures. Of course a lot of the work is delegated, but the Captain is always responsible. Many a Captain has turned to drink or lost his mind because of this. But -- the Captain is not the ship's husband. To assist with maintaining the vessel in port, the agent performs the service of ship's husband. The term probably derives from the fact that ships are commonly called in the female gender, even if the ship's name is masculine. The husband is then the provider for the vessel. In port, supplies have to bought, and placed on the vessel. This is the function of the Ship chandler, a vendor who specializes in supplying ships. The agent, owner or Captain appoints the ship chandler, orders the supplies and pays the chandler. Ship chandlers can supply any requirement, from cooking utensils to regulated drugs. Crew members often have to have medical or dental treatment. This is arranged by the husband. 
The husband, arranges for health inspectors ( U.S.D.A in the United States), Customs, and Immigration. In many countries "gratuities" have to be given to health, customs and immigration officials. Sometimes there is also a State port inspection of the vessel, which may have to be coordinated.
The ship's husband also arranges repatriation of crew members, if they are signing off the vessel. This may involve booking airline tickets, transportation, and in some cases arranging escorts (in case of illness) In days gone by, it was customary for the husband to visit the vessel in the morning and again in the afternoon, and whenever the Captain wanted him to be there. Today, they give the Captain a cell phone, and is only seen on arrival and departure. Probably this is truer to the analogy! A good husband will also bring the captain a newspaper, preferably in his own language, if it is not English, at least on arrival, if not daily, This type of husbandry is rarely seen today, probably due to commercial pressures. These days the Captain is more likely to get a newspaper from the pilot. Agents should remember, though, that all Captains report to owners and charterers on the Agent's performance. Good husbandry is one way to get a good report. One crazy Captain's report may not carry much weight, but several concurring reports can have an effect in the owners or charter's choices. Husbands, keep your spouse happy, and ensure an enduring relationship! Note: There is also a naval expression "ship's husbandry" which includes underwater hull maintenance and general maintenance of the vessel. In civilian terms, the act of maintaining the vessel is not included, but ordering the maintenance services is. |
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