What’s it like working as an Ordinary Seaman?

A seafarer in the deck department of a ship, an Ordinary Seaman is an apprentice on the path to becoming an Able Seaman. An Ordinary Seaman (OS), or Rating, works onboard gaining ‘sea time’ and once the appropriate amount of sea time has been completed, the OS can sit a series of examinations to become a certified Able Seaman.

Work onboard is in shift patterns as a ship is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and must be manned at all times. The work a Rating is required to do in that time can be varied as it is important that the Rating understands all sections of the ship before moving to a higher ranked position.

Photo Thomas Kohnle

What kind of work can I do?

While the actual role of an OS will vary with the type of ship, the type of voyage, the number of crewmembers, the weather, and the demands of the supervisor, an OS can generally expect to perform duties that aid operations and maintain the deck department areas and the ship’s equipment.

Those duties can include buffing and painting decks and superstructure, sweeping and washing the deck, handling wires and ropes, maintaining cargo-handling gear, rigging, and running gear, securing cargo, and launching and recovering lifeboats. While an OS is not usually required to stand watch, part of the OS’ training will include examinations on watchstanding skills, which can include performing lookout duties and being a helmsman.

Where can I work?

Ordinary Seamen can find work with shipping companies, cruise companies, port authorities and ship agencies, and the work is, by its very nature, truly international. With an acknowledged shortage of seafarers in the industry, positions are widely available on a range of ships, including bulk carriers, gas carriers, containerships, tankers, and cruise ships.

There are different grades of ratings, covering deck/general purpose, engine-room and catering, and generally ratings are required to have undertaken basic safety training qualifications, and be physically fit.

Starting a career as an Ordinary Seaman sets a candidate on a clear career path that culminates in becoming the Master of a ship.

Photo Thomas Kohnle

Michael MacNeil, Rating Cadet

Michael MacNeil is a rating cadet for Maersk Company Limited, part of the A.P.Moller-Maersk Group, a large global shipping company.

What are your main responsibilities?
As a deck rating, it’s my responsibility to help with general maintenance on-board. I’m a cadet so there are some tasks that I’m not trained to do, but I watch experienced crew members carry out those tasks to help me to learn the trade.

One of the main jobs I’m involved in is called chipping. This is the way we remove flaky or rusty paint from the ship using a needle gun. We also spend a lot of our time re-painting and greasing. The vessel’s surface can be easily damaged by seawater, so it’s really important to protect it by keeping it in good condition.

What hours do you work?
I’m up at 7.00am to have my breakfast and then out on deck for 8.00am. The working day finishes at 5.00pm, with a half-day at the weekend, though I currently have the whole weekend off because of my age.

What is your working environment like?
I’m out on deck almost all of the time while I’m working, unless the weather is really bad. Some of the work can be quite physically demanding but I like being outside. We all have our own rooms on-board and there are activities available to help fill your time when you’re not working, so the environment is good.

Who do you work with?
I work with other rating trainees alongside qualified ratings and the boatswain, who tells us which jobs need to be done. I also work with the first mate sometimes, for example when I’m acting as a lookout or helping to steer the ship.

What skills or qualities do you need?
It can be quite physical work, depending on what you’re doing, so you need to be hard working and quite fit. The sea life doesn’t suit everybody, because of the long periods away from home. Most of us get into the routine quite quickly and it’s a great job if being away doesn’t worry you. The annual leave allowance is good and that helps to make up for the time away.

Why did you choose this type of work?
Being brought up in the Scottish Isles, working at sea is a way of life, and something I always wanted to do. Fishing is a popular career around here, but I decided on the Merchant Navy because I felt it offered me more security and better conditions.

What training have you done?
The cadet’s course involves learning at college and at sea. The first two months are spent at college, learning the basics of safety, such as fire-fighting and sea survival. When I first went to sea I was taught how to operate the individual pieces of equipment safely and basically taught my trade. On my ship all the crew are encouraged to take their time with every job and do it well.

Do you use any special tools or equipment?
I use a lot of basic tools including brushes and the needle gun for maintaining the paintwork. When I’m qualified, I’ll get more involved in the more complex equipment, such as winches and cranes used to load and offload the ship.

What do you like/dislike about your job?
I like being outside doing things, so this job suits me really well. I also like working as part of a team and there is a strong team spirit on-board, because everybody is in a similar situation, away from friends and family. It’s quite sociable and we all have a good laugh together. The only downside can be the weather, which can sometimes get quite extreme, particularly in winter around the North Sea.

How do you see your future?
I’m so new to this that at the moment my focus is on qualifying as a rating and enjoying my years at sea.

Michael’s route
Left school at sixteen.
Joined a local fishing business.
Worked as a labourer over the summer.
Applied for cadetship and began training.

Michael’s tips
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions – it’s the best way to learn.
Look on shipping company websites for career opportunities, or contact the Merchant Navy Training Board for further information.

Source: jobs4u
Photo Thomas Kohnle

How big is this sector?

The 50,000 strong world trading fleet provides ample opportunity for a budding Ordinary Seaman, and employers are keenly looking for fit and ambitious recruits to get on the first rung of the ladder of a career at sea.