Deckhands, cooks, and captains are just a few of the many jobs available to sailors. Seamen can work for either the government or a private company. They could work on cruise ships, aircraft carriers, or ferry boats. Some sailors’ jobs require them to be away from home for extended periods of time, while others, such as ferry boat jobs, allow them to return home every day. These occupations’ specific job descriptions will differ from country to country and from employer to employer.
A deckhand, also known as a sailor, is in charge of the ship’s general operation and the equipment on board. Deckhands handle the lines and keep an eye out for any obstructions in the water as the ship leaves or enters a port. The ship’s captain may request that a deckhand check the water depth and maintain the anchors and lifeboats. Deckhands who have worked on large, seagoing ships for a long time may be promoted to the position of boatswain, or head deckhand.
The position of mate, or deck officer, is another common sailor’s job. A strict chain of command exists on larger vessels with more than one mate. A chief mate will be in charge of the others, followed a second mate, and so on. Mates are in charge of directing the deckhands’ activities. When the captain is absent or incapacitated, the ship is taken over the chief mate.
The captain commands the entire vessel with the help of the mates. He is responsible for supervising all subordinates, enforcing safety protocols, and maintaining the ship’s records. The captain directs the ship’s course, monitors its position using navigational aids, and supervises the crew who operate and steer the ship.
Motorboat operators, harbor pilots, and pilots are among the other types of sailors whose jobs are critical to the vessel’s piloting. On fishing trips, motorboat operators can carry a small number of passengers. They may also transport passengers from the shore to a ship and back. Harbor pilots are responsible for guiding ships into and out of ports. Pilots are in charge of steering ships across the ocean, through confined waterways, and around reefs.
A large ship would not be complete without at least one ship engineer, who is in charge of operating and maintaining the ship’s engines and other heavy machinery. Large ships have a variety of cooks who prepare and serve meals. In the galley, just like the various types of sailor jobs, there is a strict hierarchy among the cooks. There will almost certainly be a chief cook in charge of the entire galley, as well as an assistant who will plan the menus. The remaining cooks will be assigned to roles such as first cook, second cook, and so on.