The term 'staff of a ship' refers to the CREW of a vessel. The CREW is responsible for the operation and navigation of the ship, as well as the safety of its passengers and cargo. The CREW consists of officers and ratings, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the ship. The officers are in charge of navigation, engineering, and other technical aspects of the ship, while the ratings are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the vessel. The term 'CREW' is often used to refer to the entire staff of a ship.