Deckhand
Carry out tasks on the deck of the ship and assist the crew with docking, moving objects and safety measures.
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in Jobstreet right now
Salary
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Typical monthly salary
Job growth
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In the last year
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be a Deckhand?
Deckhands are needed on almost every kind of vessel, including fishing vessels, cruise ships, and container vessels. Depending on the vessel you work on, there are various tasks and duties such as standing on lookout, loading and unloading cargo, and ensuring the safety of passengers. For example, being a deckhand on a fishing vessel means you may be involved with scuba equipment, nets, and fishing lines. Deckhands on cruise ships may provide hospitality services.
Tasks and duties
- Monitoring water depth and steering the vessel.
- Cleaning and maintaining the vessel.
- Berthing and unberthing the ship.
- Assisting senior deck members.
- Keeping correspondence with harbour authorities via radio.
Deckhands need to be physically fit for long hours at sea under changing weather conditions, as well as heavy lifting on deck.
How to become a Deckhand
Most companies in the industry are looking for certified Deckhands who have graduated from a maritime school.
- Get an apprenticeship on a vessel. An apprenticeship allows new Deckhands to observe seasoned Deckhands on the job, and gives them a feel of the daily working environment.
- Obtain a bachelor degree, diploma or certificate in Maritime Studies. Although no formal education is required for this position, completing studies in the maritime field is highly desirable and paves the way for promotion to higher positions on deck.
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