It can help to have certain skills and characteristics in order to become an ordinary seaman (OS). Because these jobs typically require a lot of on-the-job training, a lot of seamanship knowledge isn’t usually required. However, you must be in good physical condition and have the ability to comprehend and carry out complicated instructions. Because you’ll be working in a variety of areas on the ship, good organization and communication skills are also essential. You will also need to obtain the specific certificate or credential required in your country in addition to these basic skills and abilities.
Ordinary seaman is an apprenticeship position that allows you to gain the required sea time to sit for the able seaman (AS) exams. You may be able to get this type of job without any prior work experience or higher education, but you must be at least 18 years old and have completed high school. A merchant mariner’s credential (MMC), an OS certificate, or whatever other paperwork is required in your country is also required. You will typically be required to prove your citizenship, pass a physical examination, and submit to a drug test in order to obtain these documents.
You will be expected to perform a wide range of duties as an ordinary seaman on a ship. Physical fitness is the most important skill or characteristic to have in those difficult circumstances. Sweeping, mopping, descaling, and painting decks and other areas of a ship are common maintenance tasks. You may also be required to handle cargo, splice and knot ropes, and perform other tasks that require physical strength, stamina, and dexterity, depending on the ship you work on. Due to the wide range of duties you are likely to be responsible for, you will also need the ability to understand and carry out complicated orders.
Even though there are no specific educational requirements beyond a high school diploma, having a solid understanding of basic math can be beneficial before becoming an ordinary seaman. You may find it easier to plot courses and perform other similar tasks if you take trigonometry classes in high school. If you want to succeed as an ordinary seaman, you’ll need strong written and oral communication skills, so if you have trouble speaking or writing clearly, you might want to take those types of classes.