“Able Seaman” (AB) is a more experienced and knowledgeable sailor than an “Ordinary Seaman” (SO), created in the mid-1800s to establish pay scales. US Merchant Mariners must have a Merchant Merchant Document (MMD) with endorsements, including AB. The number of ABs required on a ship depends on its size. ABs perform various tasks, including steering the ship and routine maintenance. The job is challenging, dangerous, and requires long periods away from family.
A capable sailor is also called a capable bodied sailor. This is probably why the commonly used initials for capable sailors are “AB” instead of “AS”. A capable seaman has more knowledge and experience than an ordinary seaman (SO). The differentiation between the titles “Able Seaman” and “Ordinary Seaman” first occurred in the mid-1800s as a means of creating pay scales. Able Sailors received 25% more than Ordinary Sailors in Merchant Marines. Merchant Marines refers to a country’s commercial vessels that are publicly and privately owned.
A merchant mariner in the United States Merchant Marines must have a Merchant Merchant Document (MMD), also called a Z card, issued by the United States Coast Guard. The MMD will have the merchant mariner’s “endorsement,” or a list of positions for which he is qualified, printed on the back of the document. Able Seaman is one of the many endorsements a sailor could have.
The number of capable sailors the US Coast Guard must employ on a ship is highly dependent on the size of the ship. As few as three or as many as ten capable sailors may be required to legally operate a US-flagged merchant ship. If a ship is caught operating without the proper number of capable sailors, or of any other status, it will be “arrested”, fined, and not allowed to leave port until it has a crew sufficient for its size.
An Able Seaman’s job typically includes fitting a navigational watch to the ship’s bridge or wheelhouse, assisting the deck officer on watch by steering the ship in accordance with the deck officer’s instructions. During your off-duty hours, you may be required to perform routine maintenance; painting, cleaning, repairing the ship’s deck equipment or any other task the deck officers deem fit for him.
The life of a merchant marine is hard to choose. Many capable sailors find it difficult to balance their family and work lives, as they may be at sea for much of the year. It is also dangerous work, and the wages are generally less than the working conditions can justify. However, the love of the sea attracts people, convincing them to work as capable seamen, or a variety of other positions on a merchant ship.
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