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Maritime & Shipping vocabulary · Crew & Ranks

able seaman (AB)

Meaning in maritime & shipping, with examples

nounCommon term

In maritime & shipping, able seaman (AB) means: An experienced deck rating who is qualified to steer, keep a lookout, handle mooring lines and do maintenance work on deck.

In Turkish: usta gemici, AB

How it is used

Almost always called 'AB'. ABs work under the bosun during the day and stand bridge watches as helmsman and lookout. The rank below AB is ordinary seaman (OS).

Example sentences

  1. The able seaman on watch reported a white light on the port bow.

  2. We need two able seamen at the forward mooring station.

Common collocations

  • AB on watch
  • AB as helmsman
  • AB as lookout
  • ordinary seaman (OS)
  • bosunThe senior deck rating, who leads the deck crew in maintenance, mooring and cargo work and takes daily orders from the chief officer.
  • watchA fixed period of duty on the bridge or in the engine room, traditionally four hours, during which a person is responsible for safe navigation or for the machinery.
  • crewAll the people who work on board a ship, from the master to the ratings. It can also mean only the ratings, as distinct from the officers.
  • helmThe wheel or control used to steer a ship, and by extension the steering of the ship itself. The person who steers is the helmsman.

More terms: Crew & Ranks

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