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Able Seaman (AB) Jobs

17 open vacancies · updated 27 Oct 2026

AB (Able Seaman) on Oil tanker

Negotiable / mo

Xfinity maritime · Oil / Product Tanker

Oil / Product Tanker

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

AB (Able Seaman) on LNG carrier

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · LPG / LNG Carrier

LPG / LNG Carrier

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

AB (Able Seaman) on Chemical tanker

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · Chemical Tanker

Chemical Tanker

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

AB (Able Seaman) on Container ship

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · Container Ship

Container Ship

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 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

DocumentConventionNote
Able seafarer deck certificateSTCW II/5Every able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more must be certificated.
Navigational watch rating certificateSTCW II/4Every 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/1Seafarers 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

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

Vessel typesBulk Carrier 32%, Chemical Tanker 25%, Oil Tanker 17%, Container Ship 14%, LPG Carrier 4%
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)6 months
Open to any nationality96%
VisasUnited States of America 10%
Salary, USD per month1,350–1,600p25–p75 by 8 vacancies on Krew Guru with a salary, last 180 days
Based on 412 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Career path

Comes from: Ordinary Seaman (OS)
Next step: Bosun (Boatswain)

Companies hiring Able Seaman (AB) now

Related ranks

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.
7,800+ Able Seaman (AB) profiles on Krew Guru · 62 vacancies in the last 90 days

Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.