Maritime Knowledge Base
Browse questions and answers across marine machinery, merchant navy careers, shipboard operations and maritime glossary terms.
Browse by Category
Marine Machinery
Troubleshooting guides for pumps, boilers, purifiers, compressors and auxiliary systems.
Merchant Navy Careers
Questions about joining the merchant navy, exams, cadetships, ranks and sea-time.
Maritime Glossary
Plain-English definitions of shipping, engine-room, navigation and regulatory terms.
Shipboard Operations
Practical Q&A for watchkeeping, safety, maintenance routines and onboard documentation.
Results for "Able seaman"
What are the ranks and hierarchy in the merchant navy?
A merchant ship's crew is organised into the deck, engine and catering departments, each with a clear hierarchy of officers and ratings under the overall command of the Master.
Shipboard OperationsWhat is the procedure for anchoring a ship?
Anchoring safely means preparing the gear, approaching the chosen spot slowly against wind and tide, letting go with controlled cable, and keeping an anchor watch.
Merchant Navy CareersWhat is the difference between the merchant navy and the (military) navy?
The merchant navy is the commercial fleet that carries cargo and passengers for trade, crewed by civilian seafarers, while the navy is a country's military maritime force.
