I guess you have the interest on working on a ship since you came to visit this page. Well, welcome! I’m glad you have the interest working on ships. A series of blog posts will give you an overview of the seafarers job, this one, talks about deck ratings job onboard.
Before you can climb up the ship’s high ranks, you need to put your suits on and work as a deck rating. Why? Can’t we be just an officer directly? A BIG NO! It’ll be just a disaster if you do that.
You need to be in their shoes to know and experience how and what it feels like doing the actual job. Because once you go higher up to the rank, you going to give them the job they need to do.
So imagine if you don’t experience the same job that you’ll give to them. Would you feel their sentiments? Probably not.
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First, who are the deck ratings?
A term used to describe skilled seafarers with support roles to navigation, maintenance, security and other shipboard operations. They are the ones doing the actual work assigned to them by ship’s officers.
Each deck ratings have set of skills that needs to match with the type of ship they are in. Their job totally differs to the demand of each shipboard operations.
In most ships, deck ratings are further divided into different shipboard ranks:
Boatswain
Boatswain – He leads and supervise all deck ratings. He must have sufficient knowledge on deck works and deck operations. He is Chief Officer’s right hand and receives orders directly from him.
A boatswain is a pretty experienced deck rating. For after all, he is responsible for the full utilization and delegation of tasks to all his men.
He usually have all the tricks on his belt on how to properly do the job that the next senior rating don’t probably know.
Boatswains main responsibilities include managing, supervising and participating in daily maintenance work on deck, cleaning of cargo holds & tanks, participate in mooring, unmooring, anchoring, crane operations, etc.
He is also in charge of up to date inventories of various deck tools and equipment. In addition, he is bound to train inexperience personnel like deck cadets.
Able Seafarer Deck (AB)
Able Seafarer Deck (AB) – are the senior deck ratings that helps boatswain carry out jobs that needs to be done. He needs to be certified as per Support Level of STCW A-II/4 & II/5.
His duties includes support to navigational watches, lookout watches, maintaining the safety and security. In addition, Cargo and personnel and undertaking a range of practical seafarer skills covering rope work, anchoring, mooring activities and operations.
An able seafarer must be able to work safely in enclosed spaces and at heights, and must also be able to respond to vessel emergencies; administer emergency first aid; carry out fire prevention and fire-fighting duties; be able to use survival techniques in the water; and be able to operate survival craft and rescue boats.
His likely promotion will be to Boatswain or to Officer-ship if he has the qualities and experience to be one.
Ordinary Seaman (OS)
Ordinary Seaman (OS) – are the junior deck ratings who are about to start their early stages of their seafaring career. They are certified as per Support Level of STCW A-II/4. They need to be certified in order for them to hold lookout watches during navigation.
He is almost in the same duties with AB however, due to his inexperience, he is primarily the assistant to the AB or Boatswain sometimes in his jobs. He is not allowed to work at certain heights depending on the CBA he agreed on and company rules he is in.
His likely promotion will be to AB or to Officer-ship if he has the qualities and experience to be one.
Deck Cadet/Cadette
Deck Cadet/Cadette – are part of deck ratings as he needs exposure to all deck works since he/she is just starting out his/her sea career. He/She needs guidance and supervision at all times by his seniors and needs to learn all the basic seamanship and deck works.
As boatswain’s right hand, a cadet must learn work on deck as much as he/she can during the entire contract.
In addition, a cadet must learn some of the officer work as he/she is bound to be one. So the need to step up to the game is a very important factor in his/her entire stay.
Deck Hands/Deck Boy
Deck Hands/Deck Boy – are part of deck ratings in which all their duties are all concentrated in deck works, cargo operations, mooring, unmooring and security.
Cook/Messman
Cook/Messman – are two man combo in the galley, mess halls and provision rooms. Simply, they are in charge of feeding all crew onboard including occasional visitors.
Messman keeps the galley, mess rooms and provision rooms clean, tidy and presentable. While on the other hand, Cook is in charge of the inventory of all kitchen utensils, provision supply and cabin stores.
Now we know who they are, what do they do really?
Now that we know who these mighty heroes are, we need to know what they actually do.
As you all know, all crew onboard are used in maximum utilization possible. All shipboard operations demand manpower to get it done. That’s were the deck ratings come in.
Let’s take a look at different shipboard operations:
DOCKING AND UN DOCKING OPERATIONS:
As part of the deck crew, it is part of their duties to participate in all docking and un docking operations. (also called as mooring and un mooring)
They prepare the mooring ropes for the operations, lining up of winches, heaving lines, among others.
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DECK WORK AND MAINTENANCE:
These clips are just glimpse of some of the very common job a deck rating will do.
Chipping, painting, reconditioning of deck equipment and machinery, cleaning are also part of the job. All in all, they are do-can-all type of workers when it comes to maintaining the ship’s condition.
They also rig pilot transfer arrangements, securing of all deck items prior to sea. While arriving in port, they prepare tools and equipment needed for the ship to safely dock alongside.
DRILLS AND EXERCISES:
In addition, they also are of vital importance in drills and exercises onboard. They are assigned crucial tasks to be done come emergency arises.
NAVIGATIONAL WATCHES:
Deck ratings with STCW II/4 certification is eligible to support duties during navigational watches at sea.
CARGO OPERATIONS & PORT WATCH:
As we mentioned before, deck ratings are skilled seafarers who can do a variety of jobs. This include operating ship’s crane, operating some of ship’s pumps or even payloader driving.
Additionally, they also conduct patrols, safety and security rounds once in port in adherence to the ISPS regulations, company SMS and other various regulations.
On top of all that, there are plenty of work that are not covered here however, this are some of the most important job that deck ratings do.
Seems daunting? It doesn’t…
There’s a saying that “A master was once a beginner”. This applies onboard ships. You cannot possibly know everything while you’re just starting out. Even veteran seafarers does not know everything.
Well the fact is, you don’t have to know everything. However, you do need to know the job you are up to. Cause if you don’t, you will just be a burden to your crew mates. But if you focus in learning your job well, you can equip yourself with the skill and knowledge necessary to fulfill your duties.
Remember, nothing ever comes easy at first and nothing ever comes so difficult at last.