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Marine Working Conditions

All marine positions have essential functions that personnel must be able to perform, minimum physical
capacities and requirements that all personnel must meet, and working
conditions that may be considered hazardous.

Essential Functions

  • Work at least 8 hours per
    day and, at times in excess of 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.
  • Work at sea for three to five
    months continuously.
  • Live and work in cramped quarters,
    frequently in bad weather and with violent ship motion.
  • Pass examinations for visual
    acuity, color sense, and hearing as established in Title 46 CFR Parts
    10 and 12, and pass a physical evaluation as described in the enclosed
    Navigation and Vessel Inspection Articles 6-89.
  • Climb steep and vertical ladders,
    and enter and exit compartments through hatches, doors, and sills up to
    two feet high.
  • Participate in emergency drills
    and in launching lifeboats and life rafts.
  • Perform physical labor, climb
    and handle moderate weights and equipment over 50 pounds.

Physical Capabilities/Requirements

Physical
Capability		 Example
of Essential Function
Balance Work in
confined and unstable areas.
Bend, kneel,
squat		 Clean,
maintain, and inspect equipment.
Climb Reach work
areas, equipment and stores by ladder and stairs.
Crawl Crawl through
bilge pockets, and under ladders and winch beds.
Feel Touch objects:
where sight is limited.
Finger Manipulate
nuts, bolts, tools, and cleaning gear.
Handle Handle
equipment and stores with sure grip.
Hear, talk Communicate
with people.
Lift, carry Load stores
over 50 pounds.
Push, pull Move equipment
over 50 pounds.
Reach Up, over,
and under equipment and stores.
See Read labels,
menus, logs, charts, and gauges in poor lighting.
Sit Operate
crane, Avon, lifeboat, and life raft.
Stand Work on
equipment.
Walk Perform
rounds at sea.
Write Maintain
logs.

Working Conditions

Work Condition Example
of Hazardous Area/Duty
Confined
areas		 Store rooms,
engine spaces, and tanks
Potential
allergens and irritants		 Fuels,
solvents, cleaners, dust, fumes, smoke, and gases
Adverse
weather		 On deck
in rough seas during equipment maintenance
Extreme
temperatures		 On deck
in tropics and high latitudes; in engine room
Potential
hazards		 Being at
sea; slippery and uneven surfaces; moving parts and objects; climbing
ladders; and working aloft
Noise Constant
and loud engine room noise, blowers, exhaust fans
Schedule Protracted
and irregular working hours
Vibrations Ship's
engines and chipping hammer