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Able seaman skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical able seaman skills. We ranked the top skills for able seamen based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.2% of able seaman resumes contained cargo operations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an able seaman needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 able seaman skills for your resume and career

1. Cargo Operations

Here's how able seamen use cargo operations:
  • Maintained rigging standards and equipment for vessel to vessel cargo operations at sea.
  • Prepare all materials needed in cargo operation.

2. General Maintenance

General maintenance is the regular check-up and repairs of machinery, buildings, and other mechanical equipment. General maintenance is performed by repair workers who are skilled to handle the day-to-day defects produced in the machinery. General maintenance aims to make sure the items remain in the best operational conditions. Usually, a set of planned activities are performed regularly by an expert to monitor the maintenance.

Here's how able seamen use general maintenance:
  • Perform general maintenance, repair, sanitation and upkeep of material, equipment, and areas in the deck department.
  • General maintenance of the vessel including painting, scrubbing, chipping and sanitary.

3. Emergency Equipment

Here's how able seamen use emergency equipment:
  • Managed barrack watch operations for resident halls and emergency equipment.
  • Maintain maintenance on lifeboats, and other emergency equipment.

4. Rig

Rigging includes designing, preparing, or setting up equipment for drilling operations. This skill is one of the main and most important activities in the oil and gas industry, whether it's for onboard operations or port operations. Rigging systems should have parts like master links, shackles, slings, and lifting bags for underwater lifting. Professionals working with rigging systems are responsible for tasks like operating platform lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes.

Here's how able seamen use rig:
  • Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
  • Deck cargo operation, loading and offloading cargo from ship to drill ship or Rig.

5. Mooring Lines

Here's how able seamen use mooring lines:
  • Spliced and handled mooring lines, assist in rigging cargo on deck.
  • Maintain cleanliness of vessel, handle mooring lines.

6. Coast Guard

A coast guard is a maritime defence organization of a nation. The duties that a coast guard embraces may vary from one nation to the other. They are a strongly armed military establishment with customs and duties. A coast guard's tasks are different from the navy and the transit police. They are generally having the duty to carry search and rescue but without law enforcement authority.

Here's how able seamen use coast guard:
  • Crew Management and vessel document, safety manager to maintain coast guard regulations
  • Conducted drills regularly to maintain readiness for all possible emergency conditions in accordance with SOLAS and Coast Guard REGS.

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7. Safety Equipment

Here's how able seamen use safety equipment:
  • Maintained vessel inventory ordering safety equipment, cleaning supplies, and dry stores as needed.
  • Inspected, issued, repaired and maintained all pneumatic tools and safety equipment.

8. Routine Maintenance

Here's how able seamen use routine maintenance:
  • Executed efficiently the routine maintenance and duties and operation of all deck equipment.
  • Performed routine maintenance chores such as repairing lines, chipping rust and painting.

9. TWIC

Here's how able seamen use twic:
  • Obtained a Transportation Workers' Identification Credentials(TWIC) card prior to being hired on for Kirby Inland Marine.
  • Issue has been addressed and my TWIC card is currently in hand.

10. Firefighting

Here's how able seamen use firefighting:
  • Earned various certifications such as radar operator, radio operator, survival craft, survival at sea, and advanced firefighting.
  • Advance Firefighting -Radar Observer -Qualified to drive various classes/type of fork trucks.

11. Deck Machinery

Here's how able seamen use deck machinery:
  • Maintained ship exterior/interior; maintained and operated deck machinery.
  • Operated deck machinery and offloading equipment.

12. Vessel Maintenance

Vessel Maintenance is a routine process that requires adequate check-up, repair, and updating of the various parts of a vessel. The goal is to keep the vessel in good shape at all times to avoid unnecessary breakdowns and other challenges that might occur when the vessel is offshore. The maintenance process can range from changing its engine oil to painting its body and lubricating parts of the machinery prone to friction.

Here's how able seamen use vessel maintenance:
  • Assisted barges for the loading and discharging of cargoes* Performed scheduled vessel maintenance* Performed tool and equipment maintenance
  • Performed vessel maintenance and lubricated deck equipment.

13. Alertness

Here's how able seamen use alertness:
  • Perform watch stander duties, stand wheel, anchor and gangway watches as directed, while maintaining alertness at all times.

14. Safety Drills

Here's how able seamen use safety drills:
  • Coordinate safety material and participate in safety drills and meetings to maintain proficiency with company policies.
  • Participated in regular safety drills and maritime training.

15. Deck Equipment

Deck equipment refers to a collection of tools and equipment located on the ship deck. Deck equipment includes steering gear, capstans, windlasses, winches, and miscellaneous machinery located on a ship's decks.

Here's how able seamen use deck equipment:
  • Operated the vessel and deck equipment under the direction of the ships senior supervisor.
  • Served as A/B on same said vessels maintaining deck equipment and standing bridge watch
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List of able seaman skills to add to your resume

Able seaman skills

The most important skills for an able seaman resume and required skills for an able seaman to have include:

  • Cargo Operations
  • General Maintenance
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Rig
  • Mooring Lines
  • Coast Guard
  • Safety Equipment
  • Routine Maintenance
  • TWIC
  • Firefighting
  • Deck Machinery
  • Vessel Maintenance
  • Alertness
  • Safety Drills
  • Deck Equipment
  • Visual Communications
  • CPR
  • VHF
  • Security Rounds
  • REC
  • JSA
  • USCG
  • Rudder
  • Stcw
  • Deck Maintenance
  • Booms
  • Hoists
  • Hoisting
  • Unload Materials
  • Slings
  • Responder
  • Research Vessels
  • Compasses
  • Emergency Drills
  • NOAA
  • Lifeboats
  • Scientific Equipment
  • Caribbean
  • Hydraulic Systems

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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