Merchant Navy ratings are crew members, working under officers and carrying out duties on the deck, engine room and handling onboard catering. They navigate and steer the ship, operate machinery, carry out repair works, serve food, and maintain ship in good condition for safety and security. They work in all kinds of ships including container vessels, tankers, cruise liners, passenger ferries, etc.


The exact duties of a merchant navy rating are variable, depending on the type of ship you work in. Loading and unloading cargo, inspecting tanks, cranes, repairing parts, fixtures, testing fire-fighting equipments, cleaning cabins and all different parts of a ship, etc are the duties of a merchant navy rating. You will also assist deck officers with watch duties. You also set anchors while calling at a port and oversee refuelling. They work in shifts and there should be the service of merchant navy ratings 24 hours a day.