Transport & StorageISCO 8350
Matrose
A matrose is a person who serves as a member of the deck department of an inland navigation vessel. The work moves between the wheel, the deck, the hold and the engine room, which makes this a general vessel role rather than a specialised one.
Check yourself in a minute: matrose
Rate 5 of the 56 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
use modern electronic navigational aids
launch lifeboats
assess trim of vessels
help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations
facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers
About matrose
Cargo is the main business of inland shipping. The matrose secures the cargo during stowage, uses the equipment for safe stowing, and applies the regulations on transporting cargo.
Deck work makes up the daily routine. The matrose operates the deck machinery, the mooring equipment and the anchoring gear, cleans the vessel's components, and is expected to be able to handle all of that rather than one part of it.
Safety and communication are the two standing requirements. The matrose manages hazards on board, uses different types of fire extinguisher, operates the marine communication systems, and may be called on to use the emergency, life-saving, damage-control and safety equipment, including every action involved in launching life-saving gear. Communication runs in riverspeak, the standardised professional language of inland navigation, which allows vessels and locks of different nationalities to communicate without ambiguity.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (56)
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.inland waterway police regulationsinland waterway police regulationsThe rules, legal requirements, and relevant police regulations applicable to the traffic on inland waterways.influence of winds and currents in the steering of shipsinfluence of winds and currents in the steering of shipsThe influence currents, wind strength, and wind direction have on a vessel's navigation and maneuvering abilities.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.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.anchors used in inland water transportanchors used in inland water transportName and recognise different types of anchors used in inland water transport (IWT); explain the characteristics of different anchors and their specific uses.use modern electronic navigational aidsuse modern electronic navigational aidsUse modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.launch lifeboatslaunch lifeboatsLaunch and retrieve lifeboats following international maritime regulations.assess trim of vesselsassess trim of vesselsAssess the trim stability of vessels, referring to the stability of a vessel while it is in a static condition.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.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.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.manipulate sails on vesselsmanipulate sails on vesselsManipulate sails using ropes or other tools in order to control vessel direction and speed.secure cargo in stowagesecure cargo in stowageSecure cargo stowage with basic knowledge of stowing methods; ensure efficient and safe transport of goods.use riverspeak to communicateuse riverspeak to communicateUse Riverspeak to communicate in technical and nautical terms.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.ensure integrity of hullensure integrity of hullEnsure sure that water does not break through the hull; prevent progressive flooding.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.assess stability of vesselsassess stability of vesselsAssess the two kinds of stability of vessels, namely transversal and longitudinal.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 waterway traffic control systemsuse waterway traffic control systemsOperate various systems of waterway traffic control. Cooperate with traffic control operators, lockkeepers and bridge, keepers.adjust weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehiclesadjust weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehiclesAdapt weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehicles. Oversee the maximum load capacity of the vehicle in question and the weight of each individual crate in the shipment.operate marine communication systemsoperate marine communication systemsOperate on board marine communication systems. Communicate with other ships or with on-shore control centre e.g. to send urgent messages concerning safety. Transmit or receive alerts, etc.use ballastsuse ballastsManipulate ballast system; empty and refill ballast tanks.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.steer ship in compliance with helm orderssteer ship in compliance with helm ordersSteer a ship using various propulsion and steering systems, while under supervision and complying with helm orders.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.steer vesselssteer vesselsOperate and steer vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, tankers, and container ships.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 (18) — show
physical parts of the vesselphysical parts of the vesselThe different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.vessel fuelsvessel fuelsThe characteristics and properties of vessel fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.vessel stability principlesvessel stability principlesThoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.inland waterway ship buildinginland waterway ship buildingThe various methods for constructing inland waterway vessels in compliance with construction legislation concerning buildings.vessel points of sailvessel points of sailPoints of sail describing the orientation of a vessel in relation to the direction of the wind.engine componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.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.operate vessel engine roomoperate vessel engine roomOperate and maintain the engine room of vessels. Operate the main engine room where the engine and propulsion machinery are located.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...ensure vessel compliance with regulationsensure vessel compliance with regulationsInspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.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.prevent damage to electrical devices on boardprevent damage to electrical devices on boardProtect on board electrical equipment; identify anomalies and malfunctions in the electro-technology of vessels.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 matrose do?
Matroses are members of the deck department of an inland water transportship. They may work on the helm, on the deck, in the cargo hold and in the engine room. They may be called on to use emergency, lifesaving, damage control, and safety equipment. They perform all operations connected with the launching of lifesaving equipment and are expected to be able to operate deck machinery, mooring and anchoring equipment.
What skills does a matrose need?
A matrose needs 56 essential skills, including types of cargo, international regulations for cargo handling, inland waterway police regulations, influence of winds and currents in the steering of ships, vessel safety equipment.
Will AI replace matrose jobs?
The AI disruption score for matrose is 27/100 (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
27/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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