A sailor today is defined as anyone who assists in the operation of a watercraft. Modern sailors frequently pilot machine-operated ships or simply assist in their operation, despite the fact that traditionally, becoming a sailor meant operating or working on a boat with sails. Sailors can assist on large ships assisting with mechanical issues, plotting courses, steering the boat, and a variety of other tasks. Many people use the term mariner instead of sailor to convey the broad nature of their work.
To become a sailor, you must first decide what type of sailor you want to be. If you want to learn to sail for pleasure, your path will be very different from that of someone who wants to work in the engine room of a large commercial ocean liner or pilot a tugboat. There are many different positions within the world of professional mariners, which are generally divided into four main departments: deck, steward’s department, engineering department, and a catch-all set of miscellaneous positions.
When most people consider becoming a sailor, they first consider the deck department. Able seamen, boatswains, officers and mates, and masters are all included. These are the people who actually run the ship, keep the deck clear, keep watch, and do everything else that we associate with ship operations.
The ship’s support staff, on the other hand, can be thought of as the Steward’s and Engineering departments. The Steward’s department is in charge of crew who are responsible for the ship’s general upkeep and operation. Cleaning rooms, for example, cooking meals, handling stores, and licensing out equipment to other crew members are all responsibilities of this department. The engineering department, on the other hand, is responsible for the ship’s mechanical health, with engineers overseeing the ship’s engines, refrigeration systems, electrical systems, fuel systems, and all other machinery on board.
The first step in becoming a sailor who actually operates the ship you work on is to obtain a boating license. This will allow you to handle a small craft and become comfortable at sea, as well as begin to learn the sailor’s nomenclature and lifestyle. Sailing clubs can be found in most seaside cities or towns, where you can meet people who will help you learn the sport and gain experience without having to buy your own boat.
The next step is to get a job on a ship if you want to become a professional sailor and work on a larger ship. This could be anything from a janitor on a large cruise ship to a fishing vessel’s net operator. Working on a large ship will give you a taste of life at sea while also providing you with valuable experience and connections to help you advance your career. Many people who want to be sailors find that joining the Coast Guard or the Navy provides them with valuable experience and a strong résumé. Whatever direction you decide to go in, since the certifications for being a sailor are relatively easy, the most important step is simply to spend as much time on open water as you can, in as wide a range of contexts as is possible.