To become an ordinary sailor, physical fitness and the ability to understand and execute complex instructions are important. A Common Seaman position allows for learning and gaining experience before taking the Qualified Seaman exams. Basic math and communication skills are helpful, and obtaining the necessary certificates and credentials is required.
To become an ordinary sailor (SO), it can be useful to have some specific skills and characteristics. Generally, not much knowledge about seamanship is required, as these jobs tend to involve a lot of on-the-job training. It is important to be in good physical condition and you must also have the ability to understand and carry out complex instructions. Good organization and communication skills are also important as you will typically work in all areas of the ship. In addition to these basic skills and abilities, you will also need to obtain the specific certificate or credential required in your country.
The Common Seaman position is a learning role that allows you to gain the time needed to take the Qualified Seaman (AS) exams. It may be possible to get this type of job without specific work experience or higher education, although you usually need to be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school. You must also obtain a Marine Merchant Credential (MMC), SO certificate, or any other similar documentation required in your country. To obtain these documents, you will usually need to prove your citizenship, pass a physical exam and undergo a drug test.
As an ordinary seaman, you are expected to perform a wide range of tasks across the ship. The most important skill or characteristic needed in these difficult circumstances is physical fitness. Typically, you will be required to carry out maintenance work including sweeping, mopping, descaling and painting decks and other parts of a ship. Depending on the vessel you work on, you may also be required to handle cargo lines, splices and knots, and perform other tasks that require physical strength, stamina and dexterity. You’ll still need the ability to understand and execute complicated orders because of the wide variety of tasks you’ll likely be responsible for.
Even though there are no specific educational requirements, other than a high school diploma, it can help to have a solid understanding of basic math before becoming an ordinary sailor. If you take high school trigonometry classes, it’s easier to plan courses and perform other similar tasks. It’s also important to have strong written and oral communication skills if you want to be a regular sailor, so you might want to join this type of class if you have trouble speaking or writing clearly.
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