QA Able Seaman on General cargo
$1,800 – $2,100 / moQA Ocean Crewing Two Ltd · General Cargo · 65,000 DWT
65,000 DWT · MAN B&W 25,000 kW
Salary$1,800 – $2,100 / mo
Boarding5 Nov 2026
Duration6 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Able Seaman (AB) Jobs
1 open vacancy · updated 15 Oct 2026
5 Nov 2026 · 6 mos · Any citizenship
About the role
An Able Seaman (AB) is a senior deck rating. The AB works under the Bosun and the deck officers. On watch, the AB acts as a lookout and helmsman. During day work, the AB handles mooring ropes, windlasses, winches, derricks and cranes, and does deck maintenance such as chipping, scraping, greasing and painting. The AB may guide OS and deck cadets on deck jobs. ABs work on cargo ships, bulk carriers, container ships, tankers and offshore vessels. The AB must hold a certificate for able seafarer deck under STCW II/5.
Duties on board
- Stand bridge watch as lookout and helmsman.
- Handle mooring ropes and wires during berthing and unberthing.
- Operate windlasses, winches, derricks and cranes under supervision.
- Chip, scrape, clean, grease and paint deck surfaces and fittings.
- Inspect and maintain deck stores, tools and lifting gear.
- Assist with cargo lashing, securing and rigging.
- Guide OS and deck cadets on safe deck work.
- Take tank, bilge or void soundings with sounding rods and tapes.
- Report defects to the Bosun or officer of the watch.
- Follow the permit-to-work and PPE rules for deck jobs.
Requirements
| Document | Convention | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Able seafarer deck certificate | STCW II/5 | Every able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more must be certificated. |
| Navigational watch rating certificate | STCW II/4 | Every rating forming part of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more must be certificated. |
| Basic safety training certificate (BST) | STCW VI/1 | Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code. |
Sea service
A candidate for able seafarer deck must first meet the requirements for a rating forming part of a navigational watch (STCW II/4). While qualified as a watch rating, the candidate needs approved seagoing service in the deck department of not less than 18 months, or not less than 12 months together with approved training.
Medical fitness
Before beginning work on a ship, seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate. The certificate states that hearing and sight, and colour vision where relevant to duties, are satisfactory. A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if the seafarer is under the age of 18.
Documents
- Passport
- Seaman's book (CDC)
- Able seafarer deck certificate (STCW II/5)
- Navigational watch rating certificate (STCW II/4)
- Basic training certificate (STCW VI/1)
- Valid medical certificate
- Visas where the voyage requires them
Career path
Comes from: Ordinary Seaman (OS)
Next step: Bosun (Boatswain)
Companies hiring Able Seaman (AB) now
- QA Ocean Crewing Two Ltd1 vacancy
Related ranks
- Bosun (Boatswain)1 vacancy
- Ordinary Seaman (OS)no open vacancies
Able Seaman (AB): questions and answers
What does an AB do on a navigational watch?
On watch the AB acts as a lookout and helmsman. The AB follows the orders of the officer of the watch, reports lights, objects and vessels, and steers the ship by magnetic or gyro compass. The AB must not leave the helm or lookout position until properly relieved.
What certificate does an AB need?
An AB needs an able seafarer deck certificate under STCW II/5. The candidate must first meet the requirements for a navigational watch rating under STCW II/4. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age and meet the standard of competence in section A-II/5 of the STCW Code.
How does an OS become an AB?
The OS first qualifies as a navigational watch rating under STCW II/4. Then, while qualified as a watch rating, the candidate needs approved seagoing service in the deck department of not less than 18 months, or not less than 12 months together with approved training. The candidate must also meet the standard in section A-II/5.
Does an AB need a survival craft certificate?
Only if the AB is designated to handle survival craft or rescue boats. A candidate for this certificate must be at least 18 years of age. The candidate needs approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months, or an approved training course plus approved seagoing service of not less than six months.
9,100+ Able Seaman (AB) profiles on Krew Guru · 1 vacancy in the last 90 days
Sources
- ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)
- IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (1 July 2010), Resolution 1: The Manila Amendments to the annex to the STCW Convention
Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.