Definitions by DeepSeaSailorGuy
STCW
(Standards of Training and Certification of Watchstanders) or also informally known as 'Stuff The Coast guard Wants"
Bullshit certifications required of all Merchant Seamen before they can sail deep sea as either licensed officers or unlicensed crew. Despite the fact that having these certs does nothing to improve the competence of the mariner possessing them, and the fact that accidents still happen to this day despite them, the IMO (international maritime organization) and the U.S. government still shove them down our throats.
Training and certification is in 4 basic areas: Firefighting, Personal Safety/Sexual Harassment, Personal Survival, and First Aid.
Bullshit certifications required of all Merchant Seamen before they can sail deep sea as either licensed officers or unlicensed crew. Despite the fact that having these certs does nothing to improve the competence of the mariner possessing them, and the fact that accidents still happen to this day despite them, the IMO (international maritime organization) and the U.S. government still shove them down our throats.
Training and certification is in 4 basic areas: Firefighting, Personal Safety/Sexual Harassment, Personal Survival, and First Aid.
"Despite the fact that McAllister's Port Captain told me I couldn't sail past the sea buoy without STCW, I was aboard a vessel headed to Norfolk the next morning."
STCW by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007
Merchant Marine
The commercial ships of a nation and the men and women who man them, both as licensed officers and unlicensed crew. While Navy ships act to defend a nation on the sea, Merchant ships deliver cargo worldwide and are manned by civilians. U.S. Merchant Mariners are the highest paid in the world.
Consists of Freighters, Tankers, RoRo's, Tugboats, Barges, and Ferries
Ships are split into three departments in which personnel work: Deck (navigation, cargo operations, external maintenance), Engineering (propulsion, electrical, and any machinery), and Stewards (cooks).
Consists of Freighters, Tankers, RoRo's, Tugboats, Barges, and Ferries
Ships are split into three departments in which personnel work: Deck (navigation, cargo operations, external maintenance), Engineering (propulsion, electrical, and any machinery), and Stewards (cooks).
Merchant Marine by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007
Ordinary Seaman
Entry level deck department position aboard a Merchant Ship of the United States. After 365 days seatime, an O.S. can test for advancement to Able Bodied Seaman.
The Ordinary Seaman usually chips paint and rust, paints, splices and repairs lines, and assists (somewhat) in cargo operations and especially mooring/unmooring of the vessel.
The Ordinary Seaman usually chips paint and rust, paints, splices and repairs lines, and assists (somewhat) in cargo operations and especially mooring/unmooring of the vessel.
Ordinary Seaman by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007
Wiper
Entry level position in the engine room of a Merchant Ship of the United States.
Duties include maintaining cleanliness of engine room machinery and gangways, bilge detail, and painting/chipping paint in the engineroom.
Duties include maintaining cleanliness of engine room machinery and gangways, bilge detail, and painting/chipping paint in the engineroom.
Wiper by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007
Able Bodied Seaman
Experienced deck department worker aboard a Merchant Ship of the United States. After working as an AB for awhile, one AB may be appointed Boatswain, or 'foreman' of the deck department.
Aside from the duties of an Ordinary Seaman, the AB may also be called on to steer the vessel as part of a bridge watch, and takes a more active role in loading/unloading the ship than the O.S.
Aside from the duties of an Ordinary Seaman, the AB may also be called on to steer the vessel as part of a bridge watch, and takes a more active role in loading/unloading the ship than the O.S.
Able Bodied Seaman by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007
Oiler
Experienced rating in the engine room of a Merchant ship of the United States. Comes after seatime as a Wiper and an examination.
Duties include checking engine equipment for leaks or malfunctions, lubricating moving parts, and checking gauges. With more seatime, the Oiler can advance to QMED (qualified member of the engine department).
Duties include checking engine equipment for leaks or malfunctions, lubricating moving parts, and checking gauges. With more seatime, the Oiler can advance to QMED (qualified member of the engine department).
Oiler by DeepSeaSailorGuy May 30, 2007