Because the Chief Mate gets called at all hours of the night during cargo. Plus they are there for the pre, start up, and finish of cargo. Add in 8 hours of watch standing might as well have the Chief Mate just stay up the entire time lol. There’s a good reason for Jones act tankers to carrying 2 third mates so the C/M stays on day work.
These TSP tankers that sail foreign and carry 1 third mate the C/M will need to stand at sea watches. But still best for the operation they do not stand a cargo watch. Also during tank washing they’ll leave the junior mates on 6/6 on the bridge too.
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