Salary$900 – $1,100 / mo
BoardingLate Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipIndia
Messman Jobs
1 open vacancy · updated 27 Oct 2026
Late Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · India
About the role
A Messman is a catering rating who serves meals and keeps mess rooms clean on board. The Messman reports to the Chief Cook or Cook. Nobody reports to the Messman. Work starts before meal times: set tables, serve food and drinks, clear tables, wash dishes, and clean the mess room. On many ships the Messman also helps the Cook with stores and simple galley tasks. The rank is also called Mess Boy or Mess Steward in some fleets. Messman jobs are found on cargo ships, tankers, offshore vessels, and passenger ships.
Duties on board
- Serve meals in crew and officer mess rooms at set meal times.
- Set tables with plates, cutlery, and condiments before meals.
- Clear tables and carry used dishes to the wash area.
- Wash dishes, trays, and mess room utensils with the galley equipment.
- Clean mess room tables, chairs, floors, and serving counters after meals.
- Prepare hot and cold drinks for meals and break times.
- Help the Cook receive, store, and issue dry stores and cold room items.
- Remove galley and mess waste following the ship's waste plan.
- Keep mess room linens and cleaning supplies stocked and neat.
- Report broken mess room fittings such as chairs or lights to the Cook.
Requirements
| Document | Convention | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Safety Training (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. |
| Security awareness training | STCW VI/6 | Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction. |
| Catering staff training | MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 | Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed for their positions. |
Sea service
No minimum sea service period for Messman is stated. Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed for their position under MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2.
Medical fitness
Seafarers may not work on a ship unless they are certified as medically fit. Before beginning work, a Messman must hold a valid medical certificate. The certificate states hearing and sight are satisfactory. A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if the seafarer is under age 18.
Documents
- Passport
- Seaman's book (CDC)
- Valid medical certificate
- Basic training certificate or CoP (STCW VI/1)
- Security awareness training record (STCW VI/6)
- Catering training or instruction record (MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2)
- Visas when the voyage needs them
What employers on Krew Guru ask for
Vessel typesOil Tanker 29%, Bulk Carrier 14%, Chemical Tanker 14%, Container Ship 14%, LNG Carrier 14%
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)6 months
Open to any nationality86%
Based on 7 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.
Career path
Next step: Cook
Companies hiring Messman now
- Amsway Marine1 vacancy
Related ranks
- Chief Cook2 vacancies
- Cook4 vacancies
Messman: questions and answers
What does a Messman do on a ship?
A Messman serves meals in the crew and officer mess rooms, cleans tables and dishes, and keeps the mess area tidy. The Messman may help the Cook prepare simple items and store provisions. The rank is entry level in the catering department on many ships.
What certificates does a Messman need?
A Messman needs Basic Safety Training and security awareness training under STCW. Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed for their position under MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2. A valid medical certificate is also required before joining. Documents usually include a passport and Seaman's book (CDC).
Does a Messman need sea service to join?
The STCW and MLC rules do not state a minimum sea service period for Messman. Catering staff must be properly trained or instructed for their position. Some companies may prefer previous galley or hotel experience, but no sea service rule is stated.
Can a Messman become a Cook or Chief Cook?
Yes. A Messman can move up to Cook after gaining training and experience in the galley. From Cook, promotion to Chief Cook is possible with more responsibility and the required training. The first step is usually the Cook rank.
Is a Messman part of the deck or engine department?
No. The Messman belongs to the catering department. The rank reports to the Chief Cook or Cook. The Messman does not stand navigational or engine-room watches. Work is in the mess rooms, galley, and store areas.
1,000+ Messman 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.