Decksman

A decksman (plural: decksmen) is an unlicensed member of the deck department of an inland vessel. This position is usually the first step on the way to become an able seaman and beyond. Decksmen perform a variety of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck department areas, the engine, and other equipment, mooring and unmooring, as well as (to a certain extent) the steering of the ship.

The duties of a decksman include, but are not limited to:

• Greasing and cleaning machinery.
• Moving heavy objects around.
• Using various ropes, knots and radio and navigational equipment.
• Assisting during emergencies and effectively using safety equipment.
• Performing general maintenance duties like painting, sweeping and mopping.
• Preparing cabins for crew or passengers.
• Cooking meals.
• Serving food and drink to passengers.

Decksmen often work outdoors on the deck, but they may also work indoors in the engine room or a below deck. They are occasionally exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, depending on the weather and the area of the country they work in. For the same reason, they may work in very bright or dim lighting.

Decksmen are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations, such as when moving heavy loads or dangerous cargo. They are occasionally exposed to contaminants and hazardous equipment. Sometimes, they are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.

Most of the time, decksmen wear a special uniform.

When they are at sea, decksmen work 7 days a week. They may work steadily for a week or a month, and then have an extended time off, depending on the season.

The following job titles also refer to a decksman:

• crew member
• general purpose crew member
• boat crew member
• general purpose hand
• yacht deckshand
• deckhand
• seafarer

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as decksman. However, this role requires a good physical fitness and strength.

Knowledge of maritime safety is also important to work as a decksman. In some jurisdiction, a certification may be necessary.

Considering that this role is performed mostly outdoors, it is important to be willing to work in harsh climate conditions.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Decksman is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to decksman.

matrose
ordinary seaman
engine minder
sailor
passenger fare controller

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of decksman. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of decksman with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

helmsman
skipper
ship duty engineer
marine cargo inspector
deck officer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of decksman.

• Types of cargo: Distinguish different types of cargo e.g. bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo and heavy materials.
• International regulations for cargo handling: The body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.
• National regulations on handling cargo: The national regulations governing the loading and unloading of cargo in ports within that country.
• On board hazards: Prevent on board (electrical) hazards and effectively deal with them should they occur; ensure safe embarkation and disembarkation of the vessel.
• Vessel safety equipment: Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc. Operate equipment during emergency situations.
• Environmental aspects of inland waterway transportation: The national regulations governing the loading and unloading of cargo in ports within that country.

These skills are necessary for the role of decksman.

• Launch lifeboats: Launch and retrieve lifeboats following international maritime regulations.
• Help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations: Know how to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations. Provide assistance if leakages, collisions or fires should occur, and support the evacuation of passengers. Know crisis and crowd management, and administer first aid on board.
• Facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers: Assist passengers when they leave the vessel, aircraft, train, or other mode of transport. Keep the safety measures and procedures in mind.
• Maintain ropes: Maintain splices and knots in ropes.
• Execute safety assurance exercises: Organise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.
• Maintain service record book: Maintain service record book, in which data related to the on-board time, activities, signatures of skippers, and other details are recorded.
• Moor vessels: Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Undertake navigation safety actions: Recognise unsafe situations and perform follow-up actions according to the safety regulations. Immediately warn ship management. Use personal protective and rescue equipment.
• Use equipment for safe stowage: Use tools and equipment to perform safe stowage and ensure proper loading and securing of goods.
• Communicate reports provided by passengers: Transmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.
• Clean parts of vessels: Clean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Apply regulations on cargo transport operations: Display knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.
• Wash decks of ships: Clean the ship’s deck by sweeping and washing it thoroughly. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.
• Use ballasts: Manipulate ballast system; empty and refill ballast tanks.
• Assist anchoring operations: Assist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.
• Prepare engine room for operation: Prepare and start main engine and auxiliary engines; prepare machinery in engine room prior to departure; know and follow starting procedures according to checklist.
• Perform vessel maintenance and cleaning: Follow the First Mate’s instructions in assisting with equipment maintenance such as painting or varnishing, splicing lines, and wash-down chores.
• Load cargo onto ships: Load and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.
• Perform daily maintenance on ship machinery: Perform daily maintenance tasks on machinery in ships, such as pumps, piping systems and ballast systems.
• Paint ship decks: Detect and remove rust using primers and sealants; paint vessel decks to fend off oxidation process.
• Maintain vessel technical equipment according to instructions: Operate and maintain technical equipment and devices according to technical instructions.
• Secure ships using rope: Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
• Use different types of fire extinguishers: Understand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.
• Understand different types of locks and their operation: Master various engineering constructions and functions of bridges and locks in the field of navigation. Conduct locking and entering procedures.
• Read stowage plans: Read and comprehend content of stowage plans to stow various types of cargo.
• Adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterways: Understand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.
• Operate life-saving appliances: Operate survival craft and their launching appliances and arrangements. Operate life-saving instruments like radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids.
• Unmoor vessels: Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
• Assist passenger embarkation: Assist passengers when they embark vessels, aircraft, trains and other modes of transport. Keep safety measures and procedures in mind.
• Maintain vessel engine room: Maintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.
• Swim: Move through water by means of the limbs.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
• Follow procedures in the event of an alarm: Follow safety procedures in the event of an alarm; act according to company instructions and procedures.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of decksman. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inland waterway police regulations: Understand waterway rules, legal requirements, and relevant police regulations. Handle and maintain buoys, marking systems, and day and night signs.
• Vessel stability principles: Thoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.
• European classification of inland waterways: Understand the European CEMT classification of inland waterways; use modern information systems to compare the dimensions of the waterway to those of the vessel.
• Passenger transport regulations: Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.
• Principles of combustion engines: Basic knowledge and understanding of different types of engines and their construction and performance.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of decksman. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Ensure integrity of hull: Ensure sure that water does not break through the hull; prevent progressive flooding.
• Use waterway traffic control systems: Operate various systems of waterway traffic control; cooperate with traffic control operators, lockkeepers and bridge, keepers.
• Show confidence: Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one’s own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
• Show intercultural awareness: Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.
• Prepare simple meals on board: Prepare simple meals using healthy ingredients; work hygienically.
• Distinguish various types of ships: Recognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport. Understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.
• Work in a water transport team: Work confidently in a group in water transport services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, maritime safety, and ship maintenance.
• Perform manual work autonomously: Show the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.
• Implement environmental protection measures: Enforce environmental criteria to prevent environmental damage. Strive for the efficient use of resources in order to prevent waste and reduce costs. Motivate colleagues to take relevant steps to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.

8350 – Ships’ deck crews and related workers

---

References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Deckhand Job Description – BetterTeam
4. Deckhands – Working Conditions – Illinois WorkNet
5. Featured image: By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathen E. Davis