Able Seaman (AB) Jobs on Tankers

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This page is not a single vacancy: apply to be considered for Able Seaman posts on oil and chemical tankers when they open.

An AB on a tanker does helm and lookout watches at sea, like on any ship, but the port work is different. ABs connect and disconnect the cargo hoses or loading arms with the duty officer, rig and tend moorings at tanker terminals, set up the scuppers and drip trays before cargo starts, and take part in tank cleaning and gas freeing. Personal protective equipment, portable gas detectors and permits to work are used every day, and on chemical tankers some cargoes need chemical suits and breathing apparatus.

Certificates for Able Seaman posts on oil and chemical tankers

Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (STCW Reg. II/4) and Able Seafarer Deck (STCW Reg. II/5)
Basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations (STCW Reg. V/1-1): needed by ratings with duties related to the cargo
Basic Training (STCW Reg. VI/1), survival craft (VI/2) and security awareness (VI/6)
Seaman’s book from the flag or the home country, and a flag endorsement if required

Watches, trade and contract

At sea ABs keep bridge watches, often 4 hours on and 8 off. In port the deck watch follows the cargo operation, commonly 6 on and 6 off. Mooring at tanker berths and STS operations need a full mooring gang, so ABs are often called out of rest hours for berthing; MLC 2006 and STCW rest-hour rules still apply and are recorded.

Contract length: commonly 6 to 9 months, set by the employer for each vacancy.

What employers ask for

Tanker sea service as AB or OS, with the basic tanker certificate
Experience of hose connections, mooring at terminals and tank cleaning
Safe work with gas detectors, permits and PPE
Good references from tanker bosuns or chief officers

How to apply

Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
Fill in your CV with your sea service on oil and chemical tankers, your CoC and the certificates listed above, and upload copies.
Apply to this post and make your profile visible to verified employers, so crewing agencies and shipowners can find you when a vacancy opens.

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