Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

The Work

Merchant Navy Ordinary Seamen assist deck officers in running the ship. This involves general maintenance including chipping, scaling and painting the ship's fabric. They use a variety of hand and power tools to carry out repairs to furniture and fittings. Maintaining the ship's equipment involves making regular checks and carrying out maintenance duties and repairs. For example, they overhaul deck machinery and equipment, grease loading winches and check survival and fire-fighting equipment.  
 
Ordinary Seamen clean and prepare holds for cargo. They monitor loading and unloading, clean holds and check load quantities. They also work on the bridge. They assist the officer of the watch with navigational duties and may act as lookout or steersman. During docking, they assist with mooring.  
 
While in dock, Ordinary Seamen may monitor the loading of supplies and arrange storage. Some Ordinary Seamen may work on short journeys like Channel crossings, but most spend long periods away from home.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialised knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hasards.
• Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
• Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
• Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
• Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
• Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
• Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
• Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
• Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
• Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Entrants are typically taken on by a shipping company, who will sponsor them onto a training programme. Training varies according to the employing company. Some develop via Irish Naval Pathways or by Specific Skills building via Irelands Mercantile Marine. 

Key Skills 

Radio & Communications

Health & Safety at Sea 

Navigation 

Seafarers & Maritime Skills

New entrants usually begin work for a company as Juniors. Training continues at Sea and Ordinary Seamen may attend college for additional courses and qualifications. Training usually lasts for one to two years.

The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) are the designated national centres for the education and training of personnel for the Merchant Navy.

A Certificate in Navigational Studies (Seamanship) which will suit school leavers and those with experience of working aboard merchant ships or fishing vessels - NMCI click here. 

It is likely that you will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment. 

Professional Development 

Your skills & knowledge of Maritime career can be developed via courses in one of Ireland National Fisheries & Maritime centre [BIM] Bord iascaigh Mhara

Engineer 

Broker 

Ships Officer 

Ship Executive 

IMDO Career Development Pathways

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Salaries vary by employer, duties, role, experience, and location. 

Fishing crew are normally paid a share of the catch. Rates depend on number of crew, and crew members rank. Deckhands on luxury craft will generally earn the highest wages. 

Irish Military/ Naval Service: Military.ie 
Point           MSA      Total
1 €574.69 €153.86 €728.55
2 €601.46 €153.86 €755.32
3 €626.14 €153.86 €780.00
4 €646.48 €153.86 €800.34
5 €662.08 €153.86 €815.94
6 €671.19 €153.86 €825.05
7 €710.71 €153.86 €864.57

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ SalaryExpert / Military.ie/ Eirieri

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers in the LFS are too small to allow for any detailed analysis. New employment permits issued in 2022 related mainly to transport and distribution clerks along with various logistics and customs roles.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues in sourcing freight forwarders. There was a relatively high share of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who had previously been employed as stores/despatch clerks and storekeepers.

• Naval Service

  • Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork
  • 021 451 4000
  • Click Here

• IMDO – Irish Maritime Development Office

  • Wilton Park House, Wilton Place D02 NT99, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • (01) 7753900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Maritime College of Ireland

  • Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
  • (021) 433 5600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Mercantile Marine association

  • Mercantile Marine Office Leeson Lane Dublin 2 D02TR60
  • (0)1 678 3480
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Martimtime Development Office

  • Three Park Place Upper Hatch Street Dublin 2 D02 FX65
  • 01 775 39 00
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Mercantile Marine association

  • Mercantile Marine Office Leeson Lane Dublin 2 D02TR60
  • (0)1 678 3480
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

  • Crofton House, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 214 4100
  • Click Here