Duties of Ordinary Seaman on ship

Seafarer jobs are structured in a hierarchical manner, with many seamen and women starting as trainees and progressing to work as Ordinary Seamen.

After working as an Ordinary Seaman for a few years, if you have proved aptitude and skill in the role, you can begin moving up in the seafarer ranks by taking exams to be promoted as an Able Seaman, from which you can then start working your way up to becoming a Bosun.

So, what exactly do Ordinary Seamen do, where do they work, and what do they do? Let us explore.

All you need to know about Ordinary Seaman

The lowest rank on a ship's deck crew is Ordinary Seaman. It is considered an entry-level position and makes up the majority of the labor force on a ship. An Ordinary Seaman is overseen by the Captain and Engineer and can be given orders by anyone ranked higher than him, such as Mates or Able Bodied Seamen.

The term "Ordinary Seaman" first appeared in the 18th century in the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy, which protects the British coasts from attack, defined an Ordinary Seaman as someone with less than two years of sea experience. The term was later adopted by the United States Coast Guard and the United States Merchant Marine. An Ordinary Seaman in the United States Navy is referred to as a Seaman First Class.

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Qualifications

To become an Ordinary Seaman in the United States, an individual must first obtain a Merchant Mariner's Document from the Coast Guard, which includes information about the applicant's age, health, and citizenship. Physical and drug tests, an FBI background check, and the ability to follow orders are also required. While physical fitness is required for the job, most employers only need a clean bill of health and the ability to lift at least 50 pounds (22.6 kg).

Ordinary Seaman's duties and responsibilities

An ordinary seaman's duties and responsibilities may include the following:

• Scale, buff, and paint the superstructure and decks.

The corrosive properties of seawater are constantly attacking the metal structure of a ship. Deck department members spend a significant amount of their time identifying and removing rust accumulations, as well as refinishing affected areas with adhesives, primers, and paints to slow the oxidation reactions.

• Sweep and clean the deck.

Excess water and salt on the deck can cause slipping hazards as well as accelerated rusting of the deck and any attached equipment. Ordinary seamen frequently bear the brunt of swabbing responsibilities, and many look forward to earning their able Seaman's ticket & being done with swabbing.

• Splice the wire and rope together.

Splicing, knotting, and marlinspike seamanship have long been used to identify able seamen. The corrosive properties of seawater are constantly attacking the metal structure of a ship. Deck department members spend a significant amount of their time identifying and removing rust accumulations, as well as refinishing affected areas with adhesives, primers, and paints to slow the oxidation reactions.

• Sweep and clean the deck.

Excess water and salt on the deck can cause slipping hazards as well as accelerated rusting of the deck and any attached equipment. Ordinary seamen frequently bear the brunt of swabbing responsibilities, and many look forward to having to earn their able Seaman's ticket and also being done with swabbing.

• Splice the wire and rope together.

Splicing, knotting, and marlinspike seamanship have long been used to identify able seamen. These are typically kept in storage during a voyage to avoid being thrown by the ship's movement. As a result, the average Seaman is frequently called upon to move this type of equipment from storage areas to cargo areas.

• Secure the cargo.

When cargo is brought on board, it must be secured or fastened to the ship. Depending on the type of ship and cargo, this process may be nearly automatic or highly customized. Throughout the voyage, cargo is checked for wear and tear, shifting, broken or compromised securements, or any other type of non-compliance. If any irregularities are discovered, the deck crew is responsible for resecuring the goods/cargo. Finally, near the end of any voyage, securements can be exercised or loosened to avoid discharge problems.

• Launch and recover lifeboats/boats.

Proficiency in all aspects of working with lifeboats is one of the skills required to pass the examination for an Able Seaman. International regulations require merchant ships to conduct regular lifeboat drills, and the average Seaman is typically assigned a variety of tasks during these drills in order to become familiar & comfortable with launching, commanding, and retrieving a lifeboat.

An OS may have special responsibilities on specialized vessels. On research vessels, an OS may, for example, rig and operate hydrographic and other specialized winches, handle & stow oceanographic explosives, and stage and stow beach support equipment.

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Salary of the ordinary Seaman

A typical pay package for merchant marine jobs, such as that of an ordinary seaman, is around $1,700. This is neither extremely high nor extremely low, and the pay rate varies according to the shipping company, the country to which the shipping company belongs, and the crew members. However, the salary for an ordinary seaman is significantly lower than that of an able seaman, so every person employed in seaman jobs as an ordinary seaman makes every effort to become an able seaman.

While the ship is away from its home port, seamen may also receive a 15% Sea Premium Pay. While the ship is at sea, an Ordinary Seaman may be paid overtime on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Conclusion

An Ordinary Seaman's role is critical to the efficient and safe operation of a vessel. It is an important entry-level position with the potential to lead to a career in the maritime industry.

It is important to note that an ordinary seaman's duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the type of vessel they are working on and the specific needs of the crew. Ordinary seamen, however, play an essential role in keeping the ship running smoothly and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the voyage, regardless of the specific duties assigned.