+Examine all links—turnbuckles—bales—eye bolts—pins—cleats—etc., for excessive wear, or fracture.+ +If wind platforms are fitted see to all stanchions, struts and brasses.+ +When heavy purchases are to be rove, the Chief Mate should carefully supervise the preparation of the gear—preventers—lashings—etc.+ +See that winches are powerful enough to take the load safely.+ +See that booms are strong enough or are fished and reinforced where needed.+ +Shore up weak goosenecks.+ +Rig preventer guys—stays—etc.+ Leave nothing to chance—use new gear—know the weight to be lifted—be sure it will clear the hatch coamings—the bulwarks—take your time. It takes ten times as long to clear away a wreck as to make the most careful preparation for lifting a heavy weight. Learn the way to run the winches, their construction—lifting capacity—steam pressure on lines—how to drain after working in cold weather, locate pet cocks—know when they are properly lubricated. Know as much as you can about steam and electrical deck machinery—(don't let your curiosity stop here—find out all you can about the main engines and boilers, it is interesting). See that cargo falls come to the winch drums without chafing at the heels of booms, or other places. Winchmen and hatch tenders are often found working their hatches with booms at the wrong angle—be ready to correct this. See that booms are properly plumbed when lifting heavy strongbacks from the guides, or when attempting to ship them. If in a roadstead, vessel feeling the swell, have guys and bull-ropes rove to steady strongbacks or other heavy weights lifted over the hatches. Examine all pins of gin blocks, see that they are properly lubricated with plumbago. When beginning to work cargo, either in or out, see that all slings, nets, falls, are in good order and that sufficient have been supplied. Look after chain slings carefully in person, this saves accidents—look at the hooks, see that jaws have not been opened, if so, discard. Look after hatch boards and skids. +Working Cargo.+ When the vessel is working cargo, whether with crew or stevedores, the Chief Mate is in responsible charge. He is responsible for the good condition of the gear, the proper stowage of the cargo, and the lawful handling, stowage, and carriage of combustibles. He should inform himself on this point. +Whistle Signals.+ It is well, when working cargo, in cases where the Chief Mate takes active direction of operations, such as taking in or discharging extra heavy weights, to use a whistle signal when communicating with the winch and hatch men. Excessive singing out and undue noise of any kind indicates raw work and lack of real seamanship. +Engages Stevedores.+ In many trades the Chief Mate engages the Stevedores and keeps a record of their time.