ordinary seaman
Snapshot
Embark on a career at sea as an ordinary seaman, a vital role in a ship’s deck crew. This entry-level position provides hands-on experience and a foundation for advancement within the maritime industry.
As an ordinary seaman, you’ll be a key member of the ship’s deck crew, contributing to the smooth and safe operation of the vessel. Your duties are physically demanding and require teamwork, following instructions from superiors, and a commitment to safety protocols. You'll be working alongside experienced sailors, learning valuable skills and gaining practical knowledge of maritime operations. The work environment can be challenging, with long hours and time spent away from home, but it offers a unique and rewarding career path.
- • Maintaining and cleaning the ship's deck, including scrubbing, painting, and chipping rust.
- • Assisting with the handling of cargo, ropes, and mooring lines.
- • Performing routine inspections and maintenance tasks under supervision.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Drivers and mobile plant operators — 52 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Netherlands and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Future Outlook for ordinary seaman
The outlook for ordinary seaman reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ordinary seaman change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could ordinary seaman change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- follow hygienic procedures during food processing
- use different types of fire extinguishers
- maintain vessel safety and emergency equipment
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- maintain ropes
- perform lookout duties during maritime operations
- sort waste
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a ordinary seaman
09 09:00 · Morning assist water-based navigation
10 10:30 · Mid-morning load cargo onto ships
12 12:00 · Midday maintain ship brightwork
14 14:00 · Afternoon secure cargo on ships
15 15:30 · Late afternoon maintain ropes
17 17:00 · Wrap-up clean ships
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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physical parts of the vessel
The different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.
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principles of cargo stowage
The principles of cargo stowage. The procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.
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types of maritime vessels
Various types of maritime vessels such as container ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, and their characteristics and specifications, security, technical, and maintenance requirements.
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vessel safety equipment
Safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc, and how these must be operated during emergency situations.
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
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moor vessels
Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
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assist water-based navigation
Ensure that up-to-date charts and nautical publications are on board of the ship. Prepare information sheets, voyage reports, passage plans, and position reports.
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secure ships using rope
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
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unmoor vessels
Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
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load cargo onto ships
Load and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.
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secure cargo on ships
Secure or tie cargo to ship using ropes or other pieces of equipment.
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handle cargo
Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.
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follow hygienic procedures during food processing
Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
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maintain vessel safety and emergency equipment
Maintain and inspect all safety and emergency equipment such as life jackets, inflatable life rafts, flares, EPIRB, first-aid kits, AED, skiff emergency packs, emergency flashlights, and hand-held radios. Ensure that safety equipment is organised, available for emergency use, and re-stocked as necessary. Record inspection of the equipment in appropriate logbooks.
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sort waste
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
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maintain ship brightwork
Maintain the brightwork of ships and boats by cleaning, polishing and painting; remove garbage and repair damaged equipment.
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maintain ropes
Maintain splices and knots in ropes.
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clean ships
Remove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.
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handle stressful situations in the work place
Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does ordinary seaman fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of supervision will I receive as an ordinary seaman?
- Ordinary seamen are supervised by the ship’s captain and engineer, and receive instructions from any individual ranked above them. This role is designed to provide on-the-job training and mentorship from experienced crew members.
- Is this a physically demanding job?
- Yes, the role of an ordinary seaman is physically demanding. It involves long hours, repetitive tasks, and working in various weather conditions. A good level of physical fitness is essential.
- What are the typical work arrangements for ordinary seamen?
- Most ordinary seamen work in employment roles, typically as employees of shipping companies or vessel operators. Opportunities for independent work are uncommon.
- Ordinary Seaman — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 11 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Finland and 2 more. 5 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Ordinary Seaman — what does it pay in the United States?
- $49,610 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $23,960 to $76,140. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.