A Deckhand, or Shipmate, provides a variety of services on commercial ships and boats, including cruise ships, transportation ships and fishing vessels. Duties you might include on a Deckhand job description depend on the type of ship and how it’s managed, but cargo loading and management, berthing and unberthing and general maintenance are common.
A Deckhand should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Deckhand should be able to execute:
- Support for berthing and unberthing procedures as the ship comes into or leaves port
- Customer service in assisting passengers as they board or disembark, such as managing ticket collections and ensuring safe boarding mechanisms are in place
- General cleaning and housekeeping tasks aboard the boat or ship
- Routine maintenance, particularly simpler tasks that don’t require an engineer or specialist
- Participating in safety processes, such as keeping watch during poor weather or maintaining an accurate count of passengers
A competitive Deckhand will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Experience with common tools that may be used in the course of Deckhand duties, such as hammers and drills
- The physical capability to lift heavy items or carry awkward or heavy items on a shifting deck
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Some basic math skills that may be required in keeping passenger counts, managing tickets or inventorying cargo
- The physical endurance to stand and maintain balance on a moving boat for long periods of time
