He frequently served at the captains pleasure, only occasionally was he assigned to a ship where he was not requested before the time of the admiralty's warrant.  he still unofficially served at the captains whim.  A captain could choose to ignore him and make his life miserable.  The first 5 rates were allowed chaplains, but it was rare for one to serve on ships smaller than 3rd rates.  While Admiralty regulations in 1790 said that all ships fifth rate or larger will have chaplains assigned.  The supply of chaplains was never large enough to do it.  In 1814 there was 713 ships in commission in the navy and only 58 chaplains.

The chaplains were officially Anglican but other faiths were represented.  Large numbers of Irish Catholics, Scottish Presbyterians and other protestants were represented in the fleet.

His pay was initially (in 1793) that of an ordinary seaman plus four pence (groat) for each member of the crew.  In 1812 his pay level greatly increased to a base pay of £150 per year.  he was also granted half pay status after 8 years of service.

A chaplain was very out of place on board ship, the crew was not exactly the religious type.  And frequently the chaplains themselves were either the dregs of their profession or extremist who did not fit in onshore.  His position was frequently part-time, usually a single commission of part of one.

His duties seem to consist of holding services on Sunday.  If there was no chaplain available, the Captain held the service.