Ordinary Seaman Duties

Ordinary Seaman Duties: A Detailed Guide for South African & International Seafarers

An Ordinary Seaman (OS) is an entry-level deck rating who supports the ship’s deck department with basic seamanship, maintenance, and watchkeeping tasks. While job titles and requirements can vary slightly by company and flag state, several core ordinary seaman duties are consistent worldwide and are documented in recognised maritime standards and training materials.

Below is a factual, citation‑based overview of what an Ordinary Seaman does, what skills are required, and how the role fits into the wider deck crew structure.

1. Overview of the Ordinary Seaman Role

In the deck department hierarchy, the Ordinary Seaman is a junior rating, working under the supervision of an Able Seaman (AB) and officers. Training materials and career guides, such as those provided by maritime educators like MITAGS and MITAGS‑PMI, describe the OS as an entry‑level role primarily responsible for assisting with routine maintenance, cargo operations, and basic watchkeeping under supervision, and as a pathway towards AB certification and beyond (MITAGS career progression overview).

The OS position is generally the first operational job at sea after completing basic safety and familiarisation training required under the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), which is implemented and overseen internationally by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (IMO STCW information).

2. Core Ordinary Seaman Duties on Deck

Most of the day‑to‑day work of an Ordinary Seaman relates to the upkeep, safe operation, and cleanliness of the ship’s exterior and working decks. Recognised training outlines and job descriptions for deck ratings list the following as key ordinary seaman duties:

2.1 General Deck Maintenance

Deck maintenance is one of the main components of OS work. The Seaman’s Manslaughter & Related Offenses training material hosted by MITAGS‑PMI notes that deck ratings are responsible for cleaning and maintaining decks, handling lines, and assisting with general shipboard upkeep under officer supervision (MITAGS‑PMI seamanship training reference). Common tasks include:

Chipping, scraping, and painting rusted or weathered steel surfaces to protect against corrosion.
Sweeping and washing decks, passageways, and working areas to maintain cleanliness and safety.
Maintaining mooring lines, fenders, and deck gear to ensure they are ready for use.
Assisting with basic upkeep of deck machinery (e.g., cleaning winches, windlasses) as directed by senior crew.

These tasks form part of the basic seamanship skills taught in practical seamanship courses, which emphasise safe use of tools, working aloft or over the side under supervision, and maintaining good housekeeping on board (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).

2.2 Line Handling and Mooring Assistance

Handling lines during arrival, departure, and alongside operations is a critical duty. Training documents for deck ratings describe how junior seamen:

Handle and tend mooring lines during berthing and unberthing.
Take turns on bitts, use stoppers, and keep lines clear and properly coiled.
Work as part of a mooring team under the direction of the officer and Bosun.

The emphasis in seamanship training on correct line handling, safe distances from bights and snap‑back zones, and communication with the bridge underscores how essential this duty is to the OS role (MITAGS‑PMI seamanship training reference).

2.3 Cargo Operations Support

While the detailed planning of cargo operations is handled by officers, OS and other deck ratings provide physical support. Training and job descriptions for deck crew generally note that duties can include:

Rigging and checking cargo gear under supervision.
Handling lashings, securing cargo, and assisting with loading/unloading as directed.
Maintaining safe access and clear working areas on deck.

These tasks are usually performed under the direction of an officer or Bosun and require adherence to the ship’s safety management system and cargo securing manuals, as emphasised in practical seamanship and safety training (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).

3. Watchkeeping and Lookout Duties

A key part of ordinary seaman duties involves participating in the ship’s watchkeeping system, especially as a lookout.

3.1 Bridge Lookout

Under the STCW Convention, ratings assigned as lookouts must be properly trained and familiar with lookout responsibilities. The IMO’s information on STCW highlights mandatory training and certification for seafarers involved in watchkeeping functions (IMO STCW information). In practice, an OS on bridge watch, under the officer of the watch, typically:

Maintains visual lookout ahead and around the vessel, especially at night or in restricted visibility.
Reports sighted vessels, lights, buoys, land, debris, or hazards to the officer of the watch.
Assists with sound signals and lookout duties during fog, heavy weather, or traffic.

Seamanship training materials explain that an OS assigned as lookout must understand navigational lights and shapes and must communicate clearly and promptly with the officer (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).

3.2 Helmsman Under Instruction

On some ships and in some training programmes, an Ordinary Seaman may be allowed to steer the vessel under supervision as part of their development, though the primary certified helmsman role is usually assigned to more experienced ratings. Practical navigation and bridge resource management training stress correct helm orders, communication, and adherence to the officer’s instructions (MITAGS career and training overview).

4. Safety, Emergency, and Seamanship Responsibilities

Even at entry level, safety is central to OS work. International rules and company procedures require that all seafarers, including ordinary seamen, know their emergency duties and basic survival actions.

4.1 Compliance with STCW Safety Training

The STCW Convention, as described by the IMO, sets minimum competence standards for seafarers in areas such as personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities (IMO STCW information). An Ordinary Seaman, having completed this basic training, is expected to:

Participate in emergency drills (abandon ship, fire, man‑overboard) according to the muster list.
Wear and correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety shoes, helmets, gloves, and lifejackets.
Follow safe working practices for working aloft, over the side, and in enclosed spaces as instructed by senior crew.

Seamanship course material reinforces that every deck rating must understand the principles of safe mooring, confined‑space entry procedures, and the use of life‑saving and firefighting appliances on board (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).

4.2 Boat and Life‑Saving Appliance Assistance

Under supervision, an OS may help:

Prepare and maintain lifeboats and rescue boats, including cleaning and basic checks.
Assist with launching and recovery drills, handling falls and securing equipment as directed.
Maintain lifejackets, lifebuoys, and other life‑saving appliances, for example by cleaning, checking markings, and reporting defects.

These tasks are guided by international safety requirements and company safety management systems derived from conventions such as SOLAS and STCW, which are administered by the IMO (IMO STCW information).

5. Housekeeping and Support Tasks

Beyond operational deck work, many ordinary seaman duties also involve contributing to the general cleanliness and order of the vessel, particularly in deck‑related internal spaces.

Typical housekeeping tasks described in training and job outlines for deck ratings include:

Cleaning passageways, storerooms, and deck lockers.
Assisting with the stowage and inventory of deck stores and equipment.
Helping maintain the cleanliness of crew working areas, such as change rooms or deck workshops.

These tasks support the broader shipboard requirement for good housekeeping, which is emphasised in safety and seamanship training due to its role in preventing slips, trips, falls, and equipment damage (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).

6. Skills and Attributes Required for an Ordinary Seaman

Because the OS role is entry‑level, maritime career guides emphasise basic qualifications and personal attributes rather than advanced technical expertise.

According to seafaring career information from training providers such as MITAGS, seafarers entering deck rating roles typically require:

Completion of STCW basic safety training, as mandated internationally (IMO STCW information).
Medical fitness to work at sea (marine medical certificate).
A willingness to work physically demanding, outdoor tasks in varied weather conditions.
Ability to follow instructions precisely and work as part of a team.
Basic knowledge of seamanship, knots, and safe use of hand tools, which is developed further on the job (MITAGS career and training overview).

These skills support the daily execution of all the ordinary seaman duties detailed above—from line handling and painting to lookout and emergency participation.

7. Career Progression from Ordinary Seaman

The Ordinary Seaman position is widely recognised as a stepping stone to more senior deck roles. Training and career guides from maritime academies outline a typical progression path on the deck side:

Ordinary Seaman (OS) – entry‑level rating, learning basic deck operations.
Able Seaman (AB) – more experienced deck rating with broader responsibilities in watchkeeping and deck operations.
Bosun (Boatswain) – senior rating overseeing deck crew.
Progression to officer training, subject to further education, sea time, and certification requirements (MITAGS career progression overview).

Accumulated sea time as an OS, combined with approved training and examinations, is typically required to qualify for Able Seaman certification in many maritime administrations, consistent with the competency frameworks set out under the STCW Convention (IMO STCW information).

8. Summary: What “Ordinary Seaman Duties” Really Involve

In practice, ordinary seaman duties cover a broad range of hands‑on tasks that support safe and efficient deck operations:

Deck maintenance – chipping, painting, cleaning, and basic equipment care (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material).
Line handling and mooring – working in mooring teams to secure the vessel safely.
Cargo operations support – assisting with rigging, securing, and safe access during loading and discharge.
Watchkeeping support – acting as lookout and, under instruction, assisting with helm duties in line with STCW watchkeeping standards (IMO STCW information).
Safety and emergency participation – performing assigned muster list duties, using PPE correctly, and assisting with lifeboat and life‑saving appliance preparation.
Housekeeping and general assistance – maintaining clean, orderly deck areas and storerooms.

These responsibilities, documented in seamanship training materials and framed by international standards such as STCW, make the Ordinary Seaman role an essential foundation for anyone beginning a career in the deck department at sea (MITAGS‑PMI practical seamanship material; IMO STCW information).

Ordinary Seaman Duties