What does an Able Bodied Seaman do?
As Able-Bodied Seamen, we are responsible for using emergency and safety equipment on a merchant ship. We perform general maintenance, repair, and sanitation duties to ensure a steady course for the ship. Working on a merchant ship and standing watch as helmsman and lookout is one of our main responsibilities. We maintain the ship’s metal structures by performing chipping, cleaning, and painting operations. Working as Able-Bodied Seamen, we perform all necessary operations connected with the launching of lifesaving and damage control equipment. We also operate deck machinery and cargo gear.
Core tasks:
- monitor obstructions in the operational activities and resolve them
- navigate the ship and maintain visual communications
- use visual signaling devices such as semaphore