The Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman position is a documented member of the ship's deck department crew and requires the endorsement of Ble Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman on your U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Document. (Z-Card) The Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman stands watch while in port or at sea and performs routine deck department maintenance tasks. This position requires one year sea service in the deck department. You are required to speak and understand English. You must prove to the U.S. Coast Guard that you have been trained in the use of lifeboats and liferafts. You must pass a lifeboatmans test on lifeboats and liferafts.
Other responsibilities include standing watch and acting as wheelman, duty on underway replenishment rigs, dry/liquid cargo handling in both cargo holds and on deck, forklift operation, and helicopter deck operations on all classes of civil service crewed ships.
(Salary range: $16,500 to $22,700)
Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman
Supply / Utility Vessels and Deep Draft Ships
In general an Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman is experienced skilled crew on board the vessel. The Captain, Engineer, Mate, on duty supervise him or her. Along with general vessel maintenance the Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman is responsible for the following:
- Responsible for launching and clearing away of lifeboats and liferafts in the event of an emergency, capable of taking oar commands and operating various kinds of powered lifeboats and escape capsules.
- Ensures that lifeboat and other ships equipment and appliances are maintained in good working order.
- Storing, securing, and typing down all cargo being transported.
Throwing lines. Including typing and hooking lines to and from other vessels or structures.
- Handling hoses used for the safe transfer of fuels, water, mud and other chemicals.
- Loading and off-loading supplies and groceries to and from the vessel. While not necessarily a daily task it may require the use of crane slings or hand trucks. This task may also be handled manually.
- Painting, chipping, sanding, grinding and scraping of the interior and or exterior of the vessel "from stem to stern"
- Swabbing the decks with a mop. Wiping oil spills as well as replacing deck boards may also be required
- Shoveling, sweeping and cleaning materials out of bulk tanks.
- Polishing brass, and chrome as well as cleaning windows.
- Performing safety checks to ensure all passengers are wearing necessary safety gear. Being ready to assist any passenger who needs assistance on or off the vessel.
- Understand proper use of fire extinguishers, fire hoses, life rafts and preservers, and water lights. Ensure each item is maintained in working order.
- Report any unsafe conditions to the Captain, Engineer, or the Mate immediately.
- Rigorous physical requirements must be met including the ability to climb a 12 foot ladder and hoist oneself up and over a 12 to 16 ft. structure. He or she must be able to lift 100 lbs. from the floor to the waist, 50 lbs. from the floor to the shoulders, and 35 lbs. from the floor to overhead level. He or she will also be required to lift and or carry a 60 lb. ratchet and lift the ratchet from floor to waist once every 30 seconds for thirty minutes. Also he or she will be required to lift 20 to 40 lb. cinder blocks and 75 lb. sacks for 25 ft. and lift 4 ft. height 14 times each hour. With a 2 person lift/carry, the requirement is for 100 lbs. for 40 feet 20 times in an hour. He or she will be required to pull with 120 lbs of force for 20 feet. In addition the Able Bodied Seaman Special Lifeboatman is required to swing on a swing rope for 10 seconds as well as maintain body weight on a swing rope, with no foot support, for five minutes.
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