Sailors and Marine Oilers
Also known as: AB Seaman (Able Bodied Seaman), AB Watchman (Able Bodied Watchman), Able Seaman (+36 more)
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.
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What You'll Do
- Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
- Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
- 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.
- Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
- Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
- Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
- Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Essential Skills
Career Fit Overview
Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.
Top passions
- Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
- Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
- Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
Common styles
Dependability, Cautiousness, Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Perseverance
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Key Abilities
This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:
Technologies & Tools
Work Environment & Strengths
Common Strengths for This Career
- Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
- Cautiousness (High importance: 4.67/5)
- Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.35/5)
- Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.33/5)
- Perseverance (High importance: 4.18/5)
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Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.
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Also Known As
This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:
Career Fit FAQs
Is this career a good fit for me
This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.
Can this help if I want to stay in my field
Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.
What should I compare first
Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.
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