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.

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Personality Type

  • Realistic / Conventional
  • Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

  • Physical parts of the vessel

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Skills

  • 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.

  • Use maritime English

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

  • Unmoor vessels

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

  • Swim

    Move through water by means of the limbs.

  • Maintain ropes

    Maintain splices and knots in ropes.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Moor vessels

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Clean ships

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

  • 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.

  • Sort waste

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

  • Perform lookout duties during maritime operations

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

  • Maintain ship brightwork

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

  • Follow hygienic procedures during food processing

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

  • Secure cargo on ships

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

Optional knowledge and skills

act reliably work in a water transport team follow written instructions use different communication channels perform manual work autonomously show confidence follow verbal instructions

Common job titles

  • O/s
  • Ordinary seaman (royal caribbean cruises ltd.)
  • Ordinary seaman 50
  • Deckhand
  • Ordinary mariner pool 2017-pac storm
  • Ordinary seaman with current credentials and stcw-port canaveral-part time-