Both able and ordinary seamen work on freighters, tankers, and passenger ships. Able (or able bodied) seamen are responsible for repairing, stowing, and preparing most deck equipment, such as cargo handling gear. During docking or departing, able seamen handle the ship's mooring lines. At sea two able seamen stand watch on each of the 4 hour watch periods. They act as helmsmen, steering the ship according to instructions from the officer on watch. Able seamen must be qualified to take charge of a lifeboat crew and be familiar with fire safety and fire fighting regulations. Many able seamen also have a trade, such as welding or carpentry that they use to help maintain the ship. In addition, they scrape off rust and paint ship surfaces.
Ordinary seamen assist and learn from able seamen. Most of the ordinary sea men's duties consist of maintenance work. They scrub deck areas and clean crew quarters, coil and splice lines and cables, and operate winches. Ordinary seamen may also take over the able seamen's steering and lookout duties.
Education and Training
There are no specific educational requirements for becoming an ordinary sea man. Certification as an able seaman requires the ability to handle all gear and equipment, knowledge of all parts of the ship, and the ability to tie common knots. These skills are adequately learned during the 1 year as an ordinary seaman that is required before application can be made for advancement to able seaman.
Although most seamen learn through on the job training, previous familiarity with seamanship may be useful. Sea experience can be gained through service in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. Various schools offer training for employment in the merchant marine. The federal and state marine academies are highly selective and are designed to train future officers in the merchant marine. More appropriate for ordinary seamen are the schools run by labor unions. However, these schools accept only a limited number of young people without sea experience. The training they provide is not necessary to begin a career as an able or ordinary seaman.
Getting the Job
In addition to a health certificate, a government certificate known as a merchant mariner's document or seaman's papers is required of all seamen. Seamen's papers are obtained by furnishing the U.S. Coast Guard with proof of U.S. citizenship, three passport photographs, and either a recommendation from a recognized maritime training school or a written job commitment from a steamship, ship's master, or union. Most seamen get their first job by registering at union hiring halls, which are located in major ports throughout the United States.
Seamen's papers are no guarantee of a job in the future, however. After registering at a hiring hall, seamen must be present when job openings become available. The job goes to the most highly qualified seaman with the greatest seniority. Therefore, an experienced seaman may have to wait only a week for an opening. In less prosperous times, though, or for a beginning seaman, the wait may last much longer.
Employment Outlook
Promotion on board ships occurs after serving a certain period of time in a department at one job level and then passing a U.S. Coast Guard examination to qualify for the next level. Union training schools offer upgrading courses for seamen that help them move up to higher level jobs.
After at least 1 year as an ordinary seaman, a candidate may apply for limited endorsement as an able seaman. On passing the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard examination, a seaman who is 19 years of age or older can receive full endorsement. With this endorsement and after years of experience, an able seaman can advance to the position of boatswain. A boatswain is in charge of the deck crew. An able seaman must also show the ability to supervise other seamen.
The employment outlook for seamen is unfavorable. Although the number of American ships is expected to increase slightly, the newer ships will be highly automated and require fewer seamen. Job openings may occur as a result of the need to replace seamen who retire or leave their jobs for other reasons. There will be keen competition for these posts. Most of the job openings will be filled by seamen who have many years of experience.
Working Conditions
While at sea, most seamen work as watch standers. They work 7 days a week serving two 4 hour shifts during every 24 hour period. There is an 8 hour break between every watch shift. Some seamen are day workers at sea. They work 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. While in port, all seamen have a standard 40 hour workweek.
Accommodations on board ships are adequate but not luxurious. Older ships offer little privacy. A mess hall provides an opportunity for recreation. A seaman's work is hazardous. It involves exposure to the weather and risk of falls, fire, collision, and sinking.
Although seamen get to travel all over the world, they usually see little of the ports they visit. They are away from home for long periods of time.
Earnings and Benefits
Seamen receive good pay and excellent fringe benefits. Specific figures depend on the type of vessel. The average annual earnings for seamen working on a typical freighter are $26,600, with most workers earning between $18,200 and $31,200 a year. Captains and mates may earn $40,000 a year. Liberal overtime and other premium wages usually equal 50 percent of the base weekly wage. A seaman's duties are often seasonal, and seamen often go for long periods without work and without pay.
Fringe benefits include room and board, comprehensive medical care, and hospitalization insurance. Seamen receive 5 to 15 vacation days for every 30 days of employment. Generous pensions are available to seamen through the unions.
