Profession ordinary seaman

Ordinary seamen occupy the lowest rank of a maritime ship’s deck crew. They comprise the main labour force on board a boat where they help to operate the ship. They are supervised by the ship captain and the engineer, and can be given instructions by any individuals ranked above them.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Types of maritime vessels

  Know a large variety of maritime vessels and their characteristics and specifications. Use that knowledge to ensure that all security, technical, and maintenance measures are taken into account in their supply.

• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

  The internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.

• Physical parts of the vessel

  Detailed knowledge of the different physical components of the vessel. Provide maintenance and care to ensure optimal operations.

• Vessel safety equipment

  Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc. Operate equipment during emergency situations.

• Principles of cargo stowage

  Understand the principles of cargo stowage. Understand procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.

Skills

• Operate life-saving appliances

  Operate survival craft and their launching appliances and arrangements. Operate life-saving instruments like radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids.

• Maintain vessel engine room

  Maintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.

• Handle stressful situations

  Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.

• Maintain ship brightwork

  Maintain the brightwork of ships and boats by cleaning, polishing and painting; remove garbage and repair damaged equipment.

• Moor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Maintain ropes

  Maintain splices and knots in ropes.

• Load cargo onto ships

  Load and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.

• Secure ships using rope

  Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.

• Swim

  Move through water by means of the limbs.

• Sort waste

  Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.

• Use maritime English

  Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.

• Perform lookout duties during maritime operations

  Maintain a watch during maritime operations, in order to anticipate events and potential hazards.

• Follow hygienic procedures during food processing

  Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.

• Handle cargo

  Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.

• Use different types of fire extinguishers

  Understand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.

• Secure cargo on ships

  Secure or tie cargo to ship using ropes or other pieces of equipment.

• Maintain vessel safety and emergency equipment

  Maintain and inspect all safety and emergency equipment such as life jackets, inflatable life rafts, flares, EPIRB, first-aid kits, AED, skiff emergency packs, emergency flashlights, and hand-held radios. Ensure that safety equipment is organised, available for emergency use, and re-stocked as necessary. Record inspection of the equipment in appropriate logbooks.

• Clean ships

  Remove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas.

• Unmoor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Assist water-based navigation

  Ensure that up-to-date charts and nautical publications are on board the Ship. Prepare information sheets, voyage reports, passage plans, and position reports.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB