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.
Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.
Personality Type
- Realistic / Conventional
- Realistic / Enterprising
Knowledge
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Physical parts of the vessel
Detailed knowledge of the different physical components of the vessel. Provide maintenance and care to ensure optimal operations.
Skills
- Swim
Move through water by means of the limbs.
- 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 ship brightwork
Maintain the brightwork of ships and boats by cleaning, polishing and painting; remove garbage and repair damaged equipment.
- Secure ships using rope
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
- Unmoor vessels
Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
- Secure cargo on ships
Secure or tie cargo to ship using ropes or other pieces of equipment.
- Load cargo onto ships
Load and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.
- Use different types of fire extinguishers
Understand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.
- 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.
- Maintain ropes
Maintain splices and knots in ropes.
- 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 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.
- Sort waste
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
- 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.
- Moor vessels
Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
- Use maritime English
Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
- Follow hygienic procedures during food processing
Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
- Perform lookout duties during maritime operations
Maintain a watch during maritime operations, in order to anticipate events and potential hazards.
- Handle cargo
Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.
- Clean ships
Remove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas.