A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship. While the term sailor has its etymological roots from sailing, that is a time when sailing ships were the main mode of transport at sea, it now refers to the personnel of all watercraft regardless of the type of vessel, boat or ship. It encompasses people who operate ships professionally, be it for a military (navy) or civilian (merchant navy) or for sports or recreation. In a navy, there may be further distinctions: sailor may refer to any member of the navy even if they are based on land, while seaman may refer to a specific enlisted rank. Additionally, fisherman are seen as a distinct type of sailor, that is those engaged in fishing. Sailors have existed from the earliest periods in history as people used boats for purposes such as maritime transport. Professional sailors normally undertake training or other forms of education to develop their skills. Professional sailors are also governed by regulations, including the STCW Convention.
History
Polynesian navigators would sail to several islands east of New Guinea by 1500 BCE. Voyages would eventually be travelled across the Polynesian triangle. This extensive wayfinding was conducted through the use of specialized watercraft, observing stars, and awareness of other natural phenomena. There was Norse colonization of the Americas. After Erik the Red was exiled in Iceland, he sailed to Greenland and formed a settlement there. His son Leif Erikson would explore the east coast of North America around 1000 CE, naming areas Helluland, Markland, and Vinland. Thorfinn Karlsefni would later settle briefly near the areas explored by Erikson and have a son there before deciding to return to Iceland. Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition that circumnavigated the globe in 1519–1522.
Skills A knowledge and understanding of seamanship is a key component of being a sailor, typically seen as a requisite for safety and efficient working at sea. While the level of knowledge will vary by the ship type and sailor, areas of knowledge include operational practices such as navigation, anchoring and other nautical operations. Sailors usually have an awareness of basic meteorology including the need to monitor the weather at sea. Passage planning, maintenance of machinery and/or rigging/sails is also necessary, depending on the type of vessel. Working at sea safely also requires adequate clothing (especially when working outside on a vessel) or PPE depending on the job. An important skill as a sailor when working with others (a crew) is effective communication.
Working conditions
Working conditions vary according to the nature of the sailor's employment. Whilst sailors may be employed on a vessel for extended periods of time, it is often not the case that sailors will spend the entirety of that period sailing since ships are often docked at a port for a significant period. Mariners spend extended periods at sea. Most deep-sea mariners are hired for one or more voyages that last for several months. The length of time between voyages varies by job availability and personal preference. There are specific challenges to work-life balance as a seafarer due to the nature of employment itself, such as the physical distance between one's job and home. Another challenge facing sailors on international voyages is the adjustment to time zones as the ship sails through various oceans. An adopted solution is to gradually adjust the timings of the ship which often leads to wake-up times being adjusted periodically. Sampson further notes that ships often have a 'dry ship' or 'no alcohol' policy which prohibits even the possession of alcohol with 'random testing' taking place 'fairly regularly'. Seafarers typically live on board their ships and may find this experience to be isolating and lonely. Seafarers are at a greater risk of suicide compared to other occupations. Internet accessibility has been possible with the advent of satellite communication, mainly from providers such as Inmarsat, Iridium and Starlink. The availability of affordable roaming SIM cards with online top-up facilities have also contributed to improved connection with friends and family. As internet data has become cheaper, seafarers have gained better connectivity, however they are often charged for using data. In 2022, the right to internet access for sailors was adopted in the Maritime Labour Convention although shipowners can charge sailors for this service. Merchant sailors may belong to a trade union to allow for collective bargaining of wages and other employment benefits. In the US, the rate of unionization for these workers is about 36 percent, much higher than the average for all occupations. US merchant marine officers and seamen, both veterans and beginners, are hired for voyages through union hiring halls. Hiring halls fill jobs by the length of time the person has been registered at the hall and by their union seniority. Hiring halls typically are found in major seaports in the US. However, merchant sailors can also be hired by direct employment with a shipowner or crewing agency. Filipino seamen typically gain employment at sea through a seafarers pool (agency). Regardless of the contract of employment (union, shipowner, agency) since 2013 merchant sailors should now be given a seafarer's employment agreement under the Maritime Labour Convention that sets out basic employment terms and remuneration.
Professional mariners Seafarers hold a variety of professions and ranks. Minimum international standards for merchant vessels are regulated by the STCW Convention. Certifications regarding safety and basic firefighting must be renewed every five years. The Maritime Labour Convention regulates other standards surrounding maritime employment in the 96 countries that have ratified it such as accommodations and payment of wages. As of 2021, an estimated 1.28% of workers in the maritime industry were women.
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