Seamanship is the art, competence, and knowledge of operating a ship, boat or other craft on water.[1] The Oxford Dictionary states that seamanship is "The skill, techniques, or practice of handling a ship or boat at sea."[2]
It involves topics and development of specialised skills, including navigation and international maritime law and regulatory knowledge; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watchkeeping; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck equipment, anchors and cables; ropework and line handling; communications; sailing; engines; execution of evolutions such as towing; cargo handling equipment, dangerous cargoes and cargo storage; dealing with emergencies; survival at sea and search and rescue; and fire fighting.
The degree of knowledge needed within these areas is dependent upon the nature of the work and the type of vessel employed by a seafarer.[3]
- ^ "What is Seamanship". American Sailing Association. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "seamanship". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2021-09-30.
- ^ 21st Century Seamanship. Edinburgh: Witherby Publishing Group. 2015. p. 1-269. ISBN 9781856096324.