How do they match: Sailors and Marine Oilers

  • Boat Crew Deck Hand
  • Boat Deckhand
  • Boat Hand
  • Boat Laborer
  • Boat Person
  • Boatman
  • Ship Laborer

  • Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.

  • Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
  • Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
  • Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
  • Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
  • Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
  • Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
  • Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
  • Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
  • Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
  • Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.

  • Load shipments, belongings, or materials.
  • Operate ships or other watercraft.