Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Deckhand
What deckhands actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Start the watch with a safety briefing in the galley. From there, the day usually includes handle mooring lines and tie up vessels, build and break barge tows, and stand lookout and security watches. Many work rotations, such as 14 or 28 days on followed by equal time off, with six-hour or twelve-hour watches.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a deckhand working full time.
- Start the watch with a safety briefing in the galley.
- Check lines, wires and deck equipment on the tow.
- Help face up the tug to a string of barges and tighten wires.
- Stand lookout as the boat transits a lock.
- Off watch for lunch and rest.
- Chip rust and paint the deck during the next watch.
- Handle lines while the boat drops barges at a fleeting area.
Where deckhands work
Deckhands work on vessels in all weather, on slippery decks, around heavy lines and machinery and far from shore. They live aboard for weeks at a time on many jobs.
Hours and schedule
Many work rotations, such as 14 or 28 days on followed by equal time off, with six-hour or twelve-hour watches.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Handle mooring lines and tie up vessels
- Build and break barge tows
- Stand lookout and security watches
- Load, secure and check cargo
- Clean, chip and paint the vessel
- Maintain deck equipment such as winches
- Take part in safety drills and emergency response
Tools you’ll use every day
- Mooring lines and wires
- Winches and capstans
- Life jackets and survival suits
- Radios
- Chipping hammers and paint tools
- Firefighting equipment
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Long stretches of time off
- Paid training and advancement
- Meals and lodging aboard
- Adventure and travel
What’s hard
- Weeks away from home
- Physically demanding and risky
- Weather and sea conditions
- Limited personal space
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love being on the water
- I can be away for weeks at a time
- I like hard physical work
- I work well in a small crew
- I want long breaks between hitches
- I’d like to become a captain someday
Not sure? Take the free Deckhand fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear a life jacket on deck as required
- Stay out of the bight of lines and away from snapback zones
- Use three points of contact on ladders
- Know muster stations and emergency procedures