Careers · Deck rating
Ordinary Seaman (OS)
The Ordinary Seaman maintains the exterior of the vessel and helps prepare the ship for arrival and departure and for loading and discharging, supporting the deck department under the instructions of the Master, Staff Captain or Bosun.
STCW competence
A watch or a day
Watchkeeping
The certificate that gates the job
STCW II/4 (only if forming part of a navigational watch; otherwise Chapter VI only)
The certification behind this rank
What the rules require for this role — STCW, Indian and UK implementation.
Plus the certificates every seafarer holds: medical, basic safety, security awareness, and passenger-ship training on a cruise ship.
STCW II/4
only if forming part of a navigational watch; otherwise Chapter VI only
STCW V/2
serving on passenger ships (applies to all personnel)
MSN 1862 Amd 1
UK implementation of STCW II/4
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.33
India implementation of STCW II/4
MSN 1866 Amd 2
UK implementation of STCW V/2
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.55
India implementation of STCW V/2
What employers ask for
Seen across employer job postings — a guide to what recruiters look for, not a legal requirement.
STCW basic safety training
e.g. STCW 2010 · STCW certificates · STCW Basic
English / Marlins / CES test
e.g. Fluent English · English language · English Proficiency · Marlins
Visa (US C1/D, Schengen)
e.g. C1/D · Visa · visa · Schengen
Experience / sea time / time in rank
e.g. 6 months (preferred) Experience · 3 years of previous experience · 6 months of proven shipboard experience · 1-2 years of experience
Seafarer medical (ENG1 / ML5 / PEME / flag medical)
e.g. medical certificate · Seafarers Medical · medical fitness
Vaccinations (yellow fever, COVID…)
e.g. Yellow fever
Seaman's book / CDC / passport
e.g. Passport · Seamans book
STCW regulation cited
e.g. II/4 · V/2
Also known as
Where can this role take you?
See how to reach this role — and the ladder above it — in the Route Finder.