thumb|right|An example of a seamanship training establishment at the [[Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in the United Kingdom]]

Seamanship is the art, competence, and knowledge of operating a ship, boat or other craft on water. The Oxford Dictionary states that seamanship is "The skill, techniques, or practice of handling a ship or boat at sea."

It involves topics and development of specialised skills, including navigation and international maritime law and regulatory knowledge; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watchkeeping; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck equipment, anchors and cables; ropework and line handling; communications; sailing; engines; execution of evolutions such as towing; cargo handling equipment, dangerous cargoes and cargo storage; dealing with emergencies; survival at sea and search and rescue; and fire fighting.

The degree of knowledge needed within these areas is dependent upon the nature of the work and the type of vessel employed by a seafarer.

History

Before the 1600s, Seamanship skills were taught by hands-on instruction, after the 1600s, and 1700s, seamanship started being taught by literature.

Ship knowledge, ship stability, and cargo operations

thumb|right|Seamanship involves loading cargo, calculating its effect on ship stability and ensuring it is correctly stowed and secured, such as on this car carrier.

Seamanship on a commercial level involves a knowledge of all the different ship types (such as bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, cruise ships, platform supply vessels, and others), including a basic knowledge of ship recognition, a basic understanding of nautical terms, ship structure and naval architecture and cargo operations, specific to the vessel the seafarer is working on. Some ship types will have specialist cargo equipment and tools; for example, a bulk carrier may have gantry cranes or grabs for cargo or a container ship may have container lashings. This involves calculation of the vessel and the effects of its cargo at various stages of the voyage (on departure, at sea and on arrival in port) to allow for safe passage and prevent capsizing (where a vessel turns on to its side or is upside down). These example Derricks, Union purchase arrangements, midship or aft cranes, heavy lifting gear, rigging other sheer legs etc. More than just finding a vessel's present location, safe navigation includes predicting future location, route planning, and collision avoidance. Nautical navigation in Western nations, like air navigation, is based on the nautical mile. Navigation also includes electronics such as GPS and Loran (Long Range Navigation). Celestial navigation involves taking sights with a sextant on the planets, moon, stars, and sun, and using the data, along with a nautical almanac and sight reduction tables, to determine position. Accurate time information is also needed. After nautical dusk, navigation at sea referencing the horizon is no longer possible, and after nautical dawn such navigation again becomes possible. Ice navigation involves navigating and operating a ship within sea ice conditions.

Along with general navigation, seamanship involves being able to respond to weather at sea. For example, the onset of heavy or rough weather may require an alternative passage plan (or weather routeing) for the ship, as well as the use of an alternative heading to keep the vessel from rolling (Heaving to).

Seamanship also involves recognition of and navigation with Buoys including IALA maritime buoyage such as Lateral marks, Cardinal marks, Safe water marks, Special marks and Isolated danger marks.

Ship-handling and pilotage

thumb|Sailors aboard handle [[Mooring (watercraft)|mooring lines.]]

A fundamental skill of professional seamanship is being able to manoeuvre a vessel safely with accuracy and precision both at sea and also in port and during pilotage. Unlike land based vehicles, a ship afloat is subject to the forces of the water in which it floats, as well as the resistance and effects of marine weather. Crew should be able to keep the vessel from collisions, moor the vessel during canal lockgate operations, and also respond to local currents and river conditions while on passage. It includes learning established procedures for securing anchors and cable, use of windlasses, how to prepare the anchors/clearing away anchors for letting go, letting-go (dropping) the anchor, keeping an anchor watch, clearing a foul Hawse, weighing anchor and securing anchors for sea. sets out responsibility for safe navigation by stating

The ordinary practice of seamen is seen as equivalent wording for seamanship. Other accepted practices of seamanship relating to the COLREGs include maintaining a proper look-out (Rule 5), proceeding at a safe speed (Rule 6) and taking correct actions to avoid collision (Rule 8). Seamanship also involves a working knowledge of the relevant wires, ropes, chains, shackles, and slings onboard. This includes mooring ropes used to keep the vessel secure in port. Seamanship on some vessel types may involve being able to maintain and use marine cranes and lifting equipment if fitted on a ship. Larger ship types usually have a crane for cargo operations and to bring on board stores, provisions, and supplies for the crew.

Seamanship knowledge and experience are an integral part of Dry-docking. This includes careful planning (of all jobs, tasks, and repairs), adequate preparations (e.g., painting), dry-dock calculations (primarily stability and upthrust), safety within the dry-dock, and checks upon departure (e.g., plugs returned and sealed).

Lifeboat, rescue boat, and survival craft maintenance and operation are an essential part of seamanship. This involves being able to operate survival craft in emergencies, but also to be able to maintain them effectively to operate in accordance with SOLAS requirements. It is a statutory requirement and considered good seamanship to regularly practice (drill) these skills when at sea. These include ropework (included tying knots, rope splicing, wire splicing, lashings and whippings), as well as rigging of a stage, rigging of a bosuns ladder, canvas work, use of chain blocks and pulleys, etc.

In the days of sailing ships, an able seaman was expected to be able to "hand, and reef, and steer" and to "know the ropes", the basic knowledge on the identity of the many ropes with different functions. This latter knowledge was essential for both safety and efficient working - those without it would be dismissed or derated at the first opportunity.

Training is more formal in the merchant navy and naval forces, but still covers the basics of traditional seamanship. Smaller vessel types may have traditional seamanship methods unique to them, for example, turtling on dinghies and small sailing boats.

Boatwork is a traditional seamanship skill. On commercial ships, this is usually limited to rescue boats and lifeboats, however, yachts and other vessels such as passenger ships may have tenders and small boats for transporting people between ship/shore. This involves correct stowage of stores, supplies, crew personal effects, etc.

The crew of a large ship will typically be organized into "divisions" or "departments", each with its own specialty. For example, the deck department is responsible for navigation, ship handling, and general maintenance, while the engineering division is responsible for propulsion and other mechanical systems. Crew members start on the most basic duties, and as they gain experience and expertise, they advance within their area. Crew who have gained proficiency become "able seamen", "petty officers", "rated", or "mates", depending on the ship type and organisation.

On smaller commercial craft, there is little or no specialisation. The deck crew performs all boat-handling functions. The officers of the ship are responsible for navigation, communication, and watch supervision.

See also

  • United States Merchant Marine Academy

References

Sources

  • Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, .
  • Bowditch's American Practical Navigator
  • Knight's Modern Seamanship Wiley. p. ix-x. .
  • Naval Shiphandler's Guide / James Alden Barber — Naval Institute Press, 2005 — .
  • Royal Navy (Book of Reference) BR67.
  • Seamanship: A Guide for Divers / Kris Pedder, BSAC, .
  • Seamanship Techniques Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 25-57. .
  • 21st Century Seamanship, Witherby Publishing Group, 2015, .
  • "The Benefits from Knowing the Basics and Rules of Seafaring" is a collection of eight documents about seafaring by Ibn Mājid al-Julfārī al-Sa‘dī, in the 15th century.