The Belem is manned by a crew of 16 experienced sailors - five officers and eleven crewmen :
the Captain, the first mate, two lieutenants, a chief engineer, two cooks, two petty officers (the bosun and the master carpenter) and seven seamen-cum-instructors. They all belong to the Merchant Navy. 8 of them are directly employed by the Belem Foundation ; the others are seconded to the Foundation by the Compagnie Maritime Nantaise.
The crew of the Belem takes on a series of tasks and responsibilities :
- making sure the ship and its trainees sail in safety according to all the standards set by the International Safety Management Code
- developing teaching methods based on trainee participation
- ensuring daily maintenance of the ship during navigation
- taking part in any renovation work needed on the ship while in winter harbour.
There is no other ship like the Belem in the whole of the French navy. So it stands to reason that her 16 crewmen don't conceive their tasks on board in the same way as on another ship, even though they apply the same rules as in all the Merchant Navy.
- The Captain
His mission is not only to sail the Belem strictly according to the rules and customs of the Navy but also to ensure that trainees get the best teaching and training in all matters linked to life aboard a tall ship
- The First Mate
His task is to organise everything to do with life aboard the Belem : maintenance and security, administration, discipline, hygiene, supplies, work rotas, etc.
- The Chief engineer
As technical and mechanical advisor to the Captain, he ranks second in the ship's hierarchy, on a par with the First Mate. His engine room comes complete with a serviceable workshop since he is responsible for every single technical detail aboard, from his twin Fiat Iveco engines to the smallest light bulb, from desalinating sea water to fixing a leaking tap...
- The Lieutenants
They share practical and administrative tasks. The “First Lieutenant”, known as “Navigation Lieutenant” is in charge of keeping and updating the ship's numerous nautical charts; the “Second Lieutenant” or “Administrative Lieutenant” assists the First Mate in the day to day management of the crew; he is also responsible for the “pharmacy” and for the ship's Boutique.
- The bosun
The bosun or boatswain is chief of the seamen. His responsibility is to carry out the maintenance program he and the First Mate have set out. He liaises between the officers and the crew.
- The cooks
There are two of them, the chef and his assistant, working away in the small but well-equipped galley, preparing and cooking 130 daily meals for the trainees and the crew. Here as in all other fields, the Belem has a reputation to keep up and the quality of the meals served aboard is worthy of the most demanding food guide!
