Is Seaman a High Paying Job?
Are you looking for an exciting career that offers high pay and opportunity for advancement? Then becoming a seaman could be the perfect choice for you!
Working on the open sea has its rewards, but there are also some challenges one must consider before taking on a job in the maritime industry.
This article will take a look at what it takes to become an ordinary seaman, the job requirements, education and training needed, what skills are essential, how much they can earn, how they can advance their career, and potential challenges they may face while working as a seaman.
What is an Ordinary Seaman?
An ordinary seaman (OS) is a rank in the deck department of a merchant ship and is responsible for assisting the navigator in steering the ship and performing other duties related to sailing the vessel. They are also responsible for taking care of cargo operations and maintenance tasks such as cleaning, painting and minor repairs aboard the vessel.
It’s important to note that this position does not require any formal qualifications or training, however it is recommended that prospective OSs have some basic knowledge of navigation, safety regulations, and shipboard operations before applying for such positions.
Benefits of Being an Ordinary Seaman
One major advantage to becoming an OS is that it offers a unique opportunity to travel around the world while getting paid for it! Another benefit to this profession is that it offers great potential for advancement within the maritime industry, with enough experience and hard work OSs can rise through the ranks quickly and eventually become officers aboard ships with great responsibility and authority over others in their crew.
Lastly, OSs enjoy good pay compared to many other professions – according to ZipRecruiter data, OSs can make anywhere between $2,625-$5,375 per month depending on experience level and region in which they work!
The Job Requirements of an Ordinary Seaman
The primary job requirement for becoming an OS is having basic knowledge about navigation since part of their responsibilities include assisting navigators in steering ships from one destination to another safely – this includes reading charts, plotting courses on them as well as keeping abreast with latest weather forecasts during voyages so that appropriate decisions can be made by navigators regarding changes in course if necessary due to bad weather or sea conditions along their route.
Additionally, OSs must be adept at handling ropes during mooring/unmooring maneuvers as well as performing various maintenance tasks such as cleaning/painting/minor repairs aboard vessels when needed etc., so some manual dexterity would be desirable too!
Lastly they need excellent communication skills since they’d often have to interact with others onboard (such as officers) during voyage or cargo operations etc., so having good social skills would be essential too!
The Education/Training Needed To Become An Ordinary Seaman
Although formal qualifications or training are not required to become an OS – having some knowledge about navigation would be highly beneficial since part of their duties involve assisting navigators in steering vessels from one place to another safely, this could include learning about reading charts plotting courses etc., so attending courses offered by maritime academies would certainly help those interested in pursuing this profession – although getting actual experience onboard ships would be most useful!
Additionally enrolling into apprenticeship schemes offered by companies within maritime industry could help prospective candidates get hands-on experience which could prove invaluable when applying for jobs later on!
What Skills Does An Ordinary Seaman Need?
Prospective OSs need excellent communication skill since part of their duties involve interacting with officers onboard vessels during voyages or cargo operations etc., so being able to effectively communicate with others is essential – additionally those who are comfortable speaking more than one language would have advantage over those who don’t since many times onboard vessels crewmembers come from different parts of world who may not speak same language making communication difficult without knowing multiple languages! Additionally having manual dexterity would help since part of their duties involve handling ropes & performing various maintenance tasks such as cleaning/painting/minor repairs aboard vessels when needed etc.,
so being able to do these jobs quickly & efficiently would be beneficial too! Lastly having knowledge about navigation would be highly desirable since they’d often assist navigators in plotting courses on charts & keeping abreast with latest weather forecasts during voyages too!
How Much Does An Ordinary Seaman Earn?
According to ZipRecruiter data, ordinary seamen can make anywhere between $2,625-$5,375 per month depending on experience level and region in which they work! However it’s important to note that salaries may vary depending upon company & region too, additionally those who are willing to work overtime may earn extra income than those who don’t which could boost their salary significantly too (although it should be noted that working extra hours can lead to fatigue & exhaustion so seamen should always factor this into account).
How Does An Ordinary Seamen Advance Their Career?
With enough experience & hard work OSs have great potential for advancement within maritime industry, with enough time spent onboard ships they may rise through ranks quickly & eventually become officers aboard ships which comes with great responsibility & authority over others in their crew – additionally those who go beyond just learning navigation & shipboard operations but also acquire additional qualifications such as maritime engineering diplomas etc., may find themselves rising through ranks even faster due better qualifications than others competing for same job positions too!
Working Conditions Of An Ordinary Seamen
Working conditions can vary depending upon company & region but generally speaking ordinary seamen usually work long hours (sometimes up 12 hours per day!) while onboard ship which can lead them feeling tired & exhausted due lack of adequate rest, additionally due nature of profession there isn’t always guarantee that one will return home every day as voyage may take weeks or even months before returning home (although most companies try ensure crews get adequate rest periods between voyages!).
Moreover working environment at times can be hazardous due dangerous sea conditions especially during storms & rough seas making safety paramount concern while sailing vessels from one place another, seamen should always wear protective gear provided by company while onboard ship or perform any kind maintenance tasks related sailing vessel from one place another safely!
Potential Challenges Of Being An Ordinary Seamen
Although becoming an ordinary seamen has its rewards there are also some challenges one must consider before taking on such job position, firstly long hours away from home can cause homesickness among crew members especially if voyage takes weeks or even months before returning home (although most companies try ensure crews get adequate rest periods between voyages!).
Secondly working conditions at times may prove hazardous due dangerous sea conditions especially during storms & rough seas making safety paramount concern when out sailing vessel from one place another, additionally seamen must always wear protective gear provided by company while onboard ship or perform any kind maintenance tasks related sailing vessel from one place another safely otherwise accidents can happen leading serious injury or death among crew members!
Finally learning navigation & mastering other skills required become successful seaman requires lot hard work dedication which isn’t something everyone willing put effort into achieving success within maritime industry due dangers associated profession but those willing take risks reap rewards associated working open sea if succeed!.
Conclusion
Becoming a seaman provides many benefits: travel around the world while getting paid for it, potential career advancement opportunities, decent pay compared other professions – all these factors make pursuing career within maritime industry attractive option anyone looking exciting yet rewarding career path with plenty opportunities succeed if willing put effort into mastering necessary skills associated profession!.
