Skills
Deckhand Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in deckhands, and how to build and show them.
What skills do deckhands need?
Deckhands need technical skills such as line handling and knots, watchstanding, and cargo securing, plus people skills like teamwork and stamina. They also use tools such as Mooring lines and wires and Winches and capstans.
Technical (hard) skills
- Line handling and knots
- Watchstanding
- Cargo securing
- Deck maintenance
- Safety drills
- Basic seamanship
People (soft) skills
- Teamwork
- Stamina
- Adaptability
- Reliability
Tools, equipment and technology
- Mooring lines and wires
- Winches and capstans
- Life jackets and survival suits
- Radios
- Chipping hammers and paint tools
- Firefighting equipment
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how deckhands put their skills to work:
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Line handling and knots” and “Watchstanding.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “teamwork,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our deckhand glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Deckhand training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.