Seamen are people who work on ships and other marine vessels for the national government or for a private company. Some members of the Navy are officially referred to as seamen in many countries. Other seaman jobs can be found on merchant ships that transport goods between countries, in addition to the military. Cleaning, maintenance, and engineering are all jobs that seamans do on commercial ships.
Seamen are the lowest-ranking members of a Navy ship or frigate in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, such as Australia. Seamen are the lowest-paid members of the Navy, and in addition to military duties, they are typically assigned to unskilled tasks such as cleaning and laundry. Although seamen are not classified as officers in the United States Navy, there are two ranks of personnel below seaman. During bad weather, junior-ranking seamen must stay below deck, whereas senior-ranking seamen perform various tasks above and below deck regardless of the weather. Seamen in the military are frequently stationed overseas for extended periods of time and are frequently at sea on patrol boats even during times of peace.
The term seaman is used in the commercial world to refer to anyone who works on a ship, though captains and other officers are usually referred to their rank rather than their title. Junior seamen are typically in charge of cleaning the deck, maintaining the ship’s flag, cooking, and other low-skilled duties. Cranes and winches are used to move cargo containers at ports and harbors, and experienced seamen operate them. A deck manager oversees the seamen above deck and ensures that safety regulations are followed on most ships.
People looking for more specialized seaman jobs can also find work on cargo ships. Mechanics must perform routine maintenance checks both above and below the waterline. Crane and winch mechanics are typically in charge of repairs and maintenance. On small ships, the mechanic may also be in charge of engine room repairs. Large ships typically have an engineer on board whose primary responsibilities include keeping the engine running and making repairs as needed. Having an engineer on board allows major ships to stay at sea without having to return to port to fix mechanical issues.
Seaman jobs are common in some countries, and they often involve operating small vessels to transport people between islands or neighboring countries. These sailors frequently own and operate their own vessels. Occasionally, goods are transported seamen on small boats to larger ports for export to Europe or North America.