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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Bayman

💰 $ - $

MaritimeOperationsDeckhand

🎯 Role Definition

A Bayman (also known as bay deckhand or deck crew) is a hands-on maritime professional responsible for safe, efficient deck operations in bay, harbor and nearshore waters. The Bayman supports vessel mooring, line handling, small boat transfers, cargo handling and routine deck maintenance while following all safety, environmental and regulatory standards. This recruiter-style job brief emphasizes practical seamanship, situational awareness, compliance with STCW and port rules, and strong teamwork to deliver reliable port-side and nearshore operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Deckhand / Able Seaman Trainee
  • Dockworker / Stevedore
  • Small Boat Operator / Tender Crew

Advancement To:

  • Bosun / Lead Deckhand
  • Port Operations Supervisor
  • Marine Technician / Offshore Transfer Crew

Lateral Moves:

  • Crane Operator / Lifting Specialist
  • Rigger / Rigging Foreman
  • Pilot Boat Crew / Launch Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Safely perform mooring and unmooring operations including line handling, heaving and tending mooring lines, setting up and releasing mooring buoys, and coordinating with bridge and shore teams to secure vessels alongside docks and piers.
  • Execute small boat and tender operations, including crew transfers, personnel/client embarkation and disembarkation, and safe navigation of the vessel in confined bay and harbor waters while maintaining passenger safety and comfort.
  • Operate deck machinery and equipment—winches, capstans, windlasses, deck cranes and hydraulics—following manufacturer procedures and company work permits to load, secure and offload gear, lines and cargo.
  • Serve as qualified crane signaller/banksman during cargo lifts, ensuring correct slinging, tag lines, clear communications with crane operators and adherence to lift plans and exclusion zones.
  • Conduct routine deck maintenance: chipping, painting, rust abatement, lubrication of moving parts, replacement of blocks and fittings, and preventive upkeep of deck surfaces and non-skid areas to maintain seaworthiness and safety.
  • Prepare, inspect and secure cargo and equipment for short-range transfers, ensuring proper lashings, dunnage and weight distribution consistent with stowage plans and stability considerations.
  • Perform line handling and deck team coordination during towing, berthing and unberthing operations, including working with tugs, shore lines and fendering systems to minimize vessel movement and protect hull integrity.
  • Execute watches and lookout duties on deck and at the gangway, maintaining continuous situational awareness for navigation hazards, restricted water traffic and man-overboard risk while promptly reporting concerns to the officer of the watch.
  • Participate in emergency drills and real incidents (firefighting, abandon ship, man overboard), performing assigned roles accurately and demonstrating competence with life-saving apparatus, fire hoses, breathing apparatus and evacuation procedures.
  • Maintain accurate deck logs, tool inventories, maintenance records and defect reports; complete daily checklists and handover notes to ensure continuity between shifts and safe operational readiness.
  • Conduct pre-departure and pre-arrival checks of mooring equipment, fenders, gangways, lines, and deck gear; tag and report defective equipment and coordinate repairs with engineering or shoreside maintenance teams.
  • Implement and enforce permit-to-work and hot-work procedures on deck, ensuring isolation, atmospheric testing and watchkeeping are in place before cutting, welding or other hazardous tasks commence.
  • Apply pollution prevention and environmental protection procedures during fueling, bilge management and cargo handling; operate spill kits, log waste disposals and liaise with port authorities for compliant handling of residues.
  • Operate VHF radios and standard bridge-to-deck communications effectively: follow bridge instructions, echo back commands during critical evolutions and use standard phraseology for clear, unambiguous exchanges.
  • Assist in mooring system inspections (ropes, wires, shackles, chain, pelican hooks) and perform basic repairs and splicing under supervision, ensuring mooring gear remains serviceable and within safe working limits.
  • Perform watchkeeping and engine-room support duties as directed (e.g., fuel transfer watch, tank sounding support, assist engineering on deck-service tasks) under established safety guidance.
  • Implement and maintain safe access systems: rig and inspect gangways, ladders, boarding nets and accommodation ladders, ensuring safe embarkation/disembarkation and compliance with SOLAS/flag state requirements.
  • Support ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship transfer operations, maintaining safe separation, watchkeeping and coordination with deck officers, cargo operators and shore teams to minimize transfer risks.
  • Participate in toolbox talks and briefings, proactively flagging hazards and near-misses, and contribute to continuous improvement of safe work procedures and local risk assessments.
  • Conduct inventory control and stowage of deck stores, lifesaving appliances and firefighting equipment; ensure routine checks, expiry monitoring and replenishment of PPE and emergency gear.
  • Provide physical support for rigging and unrigging deck systems, including blocks, tackles, chain falls and scaffolding for temporary works, ensuring proper tagging and compliance with lifting plans.
  • Mentor junior crew and new hires in safe seamanship practices, line-handling techniques, basic maintenance and company procedures to raise the overall competency of the deck team.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Competent line handling, knot-tying (bowline, figure-eight, clove hitch, round turn & two half-hitches) and splicing for mooring and towing applications.
  • Proficient small boat/tender operation and boat handling in confined waters, including launch recovery, approach techniques and swimmer/crew transfer safety.
  • Operation and basic maintenance of deck machinery: winches, windlasses, capstans, cranes and hydraulic systems; ability to perform pre-op checks and report faults.
  • Hands-on experience with cargo securing and lashing techniques, understanding of weight distribution, centre-of-gravity and short-range stowage principles.
  • Crane signalling (banksman) and working knowledge of rigging practices, slinging methods, safe load weight estimation and tag-line control.
  • Familiarity with maritime safety standards and certificates (STCW Basic Safety Training, proficiency in fire fighting, elementary first aid, sea survival).
  • Radio communication competency: VHF / GMDSS familiarity, correct use of standard marine phraseology and emergency distress procedures.
  • Basic seamanship maintenance: painting, chipping, rust treatment, greasing, minor welding support and maintenance of deck fittings.
  • Environmental compliance skills: bilge management, oily water separator awareness, waste handling and spill response procedures.
  • Proficient in maintaining deck logs, writing defect reports, and using digital checklists or vessel management systems for equipment and compliance records.

Soft Skills

  • Strong situational awareness and risk perception in dynamic maritime environments.
  • Clear verbal communication and active listening for safe bridge-to-deck coordination.
  • Team player with collaborative attitude; able to follow orders and lead small evolutions.
  • High physical stamina, dexterity and comfort working aloft and in adverse weather conditions.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to improvise safe, compliant solutions under pressure.
  • Attention to detail for pre-op checks, safety compliance and accurate log entries.
  • Adaptability to changing operational priorities, shift work and irregular schedules.
  • Professional demeanour and customer-facing confidence for crew/client transfers and port interactions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Secondary school diploma (High School/GED) or equivalent; basic numeracy and literacy sufficient for logkeeping and safety procedures.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma in Seamanship, Maritime Studies, Nautical Science or Vocational Marine Training.
  • Completion of STCW Basic Safety Training modules and additional short courses in small boat handling, crane signaling and first aid.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Maritime studies / seamanship
  • Nautical science / navigation
  • Marine engineering support / ship operations
  • Logistics and port operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–5 years in deck operations; many roles require 1–3 years of direct deckhand, dockworker, or small-boat crew experience.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years serving as deckhand, bayman, bosun assistant or equivalent in bay/harbour operations with proven competency in mooring, line handling and small-craft transfers.
  • Valid seafarer medical certificate and up-to-date safety certifications (STCW, VHF Radio Operator, Basic First Aid).
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