Transport & StorageISCO 8350
Decksman
A decksman is a person who works as an unlicensed member of the deck department of an inland waterway vessel, and the position is usually the first step towards becoming a certified boatman or moving higher.
Check yourself in a minute: decksman
Rate 5 of the 39 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
launch lifeboats
help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations
facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers
maintain ropes
maintain service record book
About decksman
The decksman carries out a range of tasks in the operation and upkeep of the deck areas, the engine and the other equipment, handles mooring and unmooring, and to some extent steers the vessel. Steering, including in a lock or a bend, is learned under the supervision of senior crew members.
Cargo is secured with the equipment provided for safe stowage, and cargo transport regulations are applied, which set what may be carried where.
The decksman manages hazards on board, uses the different types of fire extinguisher and knows the vessel's safety equipment. The decksman also deals with environmental matters in inland waterway transport, such as preventing spills, cleans ship components, and passes on passenger reports where the vessel carries people. Requirements for further certification in inland navigation are set by national rules. The job calls for knowledge of deck work.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (39)
types of cargotypes of cargoThe different types of cargo e.g. bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo and heavy materials.international regulations for cargo handlinginternational regulations for cargo handlingThe body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.vessel safety equipmentvessel safety equipmentSafety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc, and how these must be operated during emergency situations.launch lifeboatslaunch lifeboatsLaunch and retrieve lifeboats following international maritime regulations.help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situationshelp to control passenger behaviour during emergency situationsKnow how to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations. Provide assistance if leakages, collisions or fires should occur, and support the evacuation of passengers. Know crisis and crowd managem...facilitate safe disembarkation of passengersfacilitate safe disembarkation of passengersAssist passengers when they leave the vessel, aircraft, train, or other mode of transport. Keep the safety measures and procedures in mind.maintain ropesmaintain ropesMaintain splices and knots in ropes.execute safety assurance exercisesexecute safety assurance exercisesOrganise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.maintain service record bookmaintain service record bookMaintain service record book, in which data related to the on-board time, activities, signatures of skippers, and other details are recorded.moor vesselsmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.undertake navigation safety actionsundertake navigation safety actionsRecognise unsafe situations and perform follow-up actions according to the safety regulations. Immediately warn ship management. Use personal protective and rescue equipment.use equipment for safe stowageuse equipment for safe stowageUse tools and equipment to perform safe stowage and ensure proper loading and securing of goods.communicate reports provided by passengerscommunicate reports provided by passengersTransmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.clean parts of vesselsclean parts of vesselsClean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.apply regulations on cargo transport operationsapply regulations on cargo transport operationsDisplay knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.use ballastsuse ballastsManipulate ballast system; empty and refill ballast tanks.clean shipsclean shipsRemove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.assist anchoring operationsassist anchoring operationsAssist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.prepare engine room for operationprepare engine room for operationPrepare and start main engine and auxiliary engines; prepare machinery in engine room prior to departure; know and follow starting procedures according to checklist.perform vessel maintenance and cleaningperform vessel maintenance and cleaningFollow the First Mate's instructions in assisting with equipment maintenance such as painting or varnishing, splicing lines, and wash-down chores.load cargo onto shipsload cargo onto shipsLoad and unload cargo onto ships. Oversee cargo loading and discharging operations.perform daily maintenance on ship machineryperform daily maintenance on ship machineryPerform daily maintenance tasks on machinery in ships, such as pumps, piping systems and ballast systems.paint ship deckspaint ship decksDetect and remove rust using primers and sealants; paint vessel decks to fend off oxidation process.manage on board hazardsmanage on board hazardsPrevent on board (electrical) hazards and effectively deal with them should they occur; ensure safe embarkation and disembarkation of the vessel.maintain vessel technical equipment according to instructionsmaintain vessel technical equipment according to instructionsOperate and maintain technical equipment and devices according to technical instructions.secure ships using ropesecure ships using ropeUse rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.use different types of fire extinguishersuse different types of fire extinguishersUnderstand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.manage environmental aspects of inland waterway transportationmanage environmental aspects of inland waterway transportationConsider ecological aspects of the operation of ships in order to use vessels in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Understand environmental aspects when navigating inland waterways.understand different types of locks and their operationunderstand different types of locks and their operationMaster various engineering constructions and functions of bridges and locks in the field of navigation. Conduct locking and entering procedures.read stowage plansread stowage plansRead and comprehend content of stowage plans to stow various types of cargo.adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterwaysadhere to traffic regulations on inland waterwaysUnderstand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.operate life-saving appliancesoperate life-saving appliancesOperate survival craft and their launching appliances and arrangements. Operate life-saving instruments like radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protecti...unmoor vesselsunmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.maintain vessel engine roommaintain vessel engine roomMaintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.follow procedures in the event of an alarmfollow procedures in the event of an alarmFollow safety procedures in the event of an alarm; act according to company instructions and procedures.
Optional (17) — show
inland waterway police regulationsinland waterway police regulationsThe rules, legal requirements, and relevant police regulations applicable to the traffic on inland waterways.vessel stability principlesvessel stability principlesThoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.passenger transport regulationspassenger transport regulationsThe applicable conventions and regulations governing the provision of passenger transport services.principles of combustion enginesprinciples of combustion enginesBasic knowledge and understanding of different types of engines and their construction and performance.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.manipulate sails on vesselsmanipulate sails on vesselsManipulate sails using ropes or other tools in order to control vessel direction and speed.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.ensure integrity of hullensure integrity of hullEnsure sure that water does not break through the hull; prevent progressive flooding.use waterway traffic control systemsuse waterway traffic control systemsOperate various systems of waterway traffic control. Cooperate with traffic control operators, lockkeepers and bridge, keepers.show intercultural awarenessshow intercultural awarenessShow sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to p...prepare simple meals on boardprepare simple meals on boardPrepare simple meals using healthy ingredients; work hygienically.distinguish various types of shipsdistinguish various types of shipsRecognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport. Understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.work in a water transport teamwork in a water transport teamWork confidently in a group in water transport services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, maritime saf...perform manual work autonomouslyperform manual work autonomouslyShow the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one's actions.perform services in a flexible mannerperform services in a flexible mannerAdapt service approach when circumstances change.implement environmental protection measuresimplement environmental protection measuresEnforce environmental criteria to prevent environmental damage. Strive for the efficient use of resources in order to prevent waste and reduce costs. Motivate colleagues to take relevant steps to oper...
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does a decksman do?
Decksmen are unlicensed members of the deck department of an inland vessel. This position is usually the first step on the way to become an able seaman and beyond. They perform a variety of duties related to the operation and upkeep of deck department areas, the engine, and other equipment, mooring and unmooring, as well as (to a certain extent) the steering of the ship.
What skills does a decksman need?
A decksman needs 39 essential skills, including types of cargo, international regulations for cargo handling, vessel safety equipment, launch lifeboats, help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations.
Will AI replace decksman jobs?
The AI disruption score for decksman is 29/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, follow written instructions, follow procedures in the event of an alarm. Most resilient: swim, help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations, facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers.
AI Replacement Risk
29/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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