What Is the Work of a GP Rating on Ship?
A GP Rating does not have one fixed job onboard. After completing the course and joining a vessel, the actual work depends on the department, rank, and type of ship. A rating generally works as part of the deck or engine crew and assists the officers with the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and safety of the vessel. Deck ratings are more involved in watchkeeping, steering, mooring and deck maintenance, while engine ratings work mainly around machinery, maintenance and engine-room operations.
This is why students should understand the actual duties before joining GP Rating. The work can be quite different from what you might imagine from simply hearing the words “Merchant Navy.”
What Does a GP Rating Do on a Ship?
The simplest way to understand the job is that a GP Rating helps keep the ship operational, maintained, and safe.
Your duties can include:
- Watchkeeping
- Lookout duties
- Steering the vessel
- Mooring and anchoring
- Deck maintenance
- Cargo-related work
- Machinery maintenance
- Cleaning and upkeep
- Welding and fitting
- Assisting deck or engineering officers
- Participating in safety and emergency activities
You won’t necessarily perform all of these duties every day. Your work depends on whether you are assigned to the deck or engine department and the rank you hold.
GP Rating Duties in Deck Department
The deck department is responsible for many of the visible operations carried out on the ship. A GP Rating working on deck can be involved in watchkeeping, steering, maintenance, mooring, anchoring, and cargo-related activities. Ratings also assist deck officers with operational work onboard.
Watchkeeping and Lookout
Watchkeeping is an important responsibility for deck ratings. An Ordinary Seaman may stand watch with the Deck Officer and perform lookout duties. An Able-Bodied Seaman can also stand bridge watch with the Duty Officer and steer the ship when instructed. During a watch, you have to remain alert and follow the instructions of the officer in charge.
Steering the Ship
An experienced deck rating may be required to manually steer the vessel according to the orders of the officer. This is different from navigating the ship. The officer remains responsible for navigation and gives the necessary instructions, while the rating carries out the assigned steering duty.
Deck Maintenance
A considerable amount of deck work involves keeping the vessel in good condition.
This can include:
- Removing rust
- Chipping
- Painting
- Cleaning
- Scrubbing and washing decks
- Maintaining deck equipment
- General repair work
It may not sound glamorous, but maintenance is a major part of keeping a ship safe and operational.
Mooring and Anchoring
GP Ratings can also assist during mooring and anchoring operations. This involves working with ropes, wires, and deck equipment while following instructions from the responsible officers and senior ratings. These operations require teamwork because several crew members may be working together at the same time.
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GP Rating Duties in Engine Department
Engine ratings spend most of their working time around the machinery and equipment that keeps the vessel running. Their work can involve engine-room maintenance, cleaning, lubrication, machinery assistance, and watchkeeping.
Engine-Room Maintenance
A Wiper, for example, helps keep the engine room clean and assists with general maintenance.
The work can include:
- Cleaning machinery spaces
- Keeping the working area organised
- Assisting with maintenance
- Helping engineering crew
- Handling tools and equipment
- Supporting routine engine-room work
The engine room is a completely different working environment from the deck. It can be hot, noisy and physically demanding, so students should know what they are getting into before choosing this side of the job.
Machinery Maintenance
Engine ratings assist engineering officers with maintaining shipboard machinery. Depending on the rank and work assigned, this can involve lubrication, repairs, fitting work and general maintenance of machinery and equipment. A Motorman, for example, has greater responsibility for engine-room maintenance and repair compared with a Wiper.
Welding and Fitting
Fitting work is another important area on the engine side.
A Fitter may work on:
- Welding
- Fabrication
- Repairing engine components
- Making or restoring spares
- General fitting work
Some ships can also have Deck Fitters who carry out welding and fitting work on the deck. On tankers, similar work can be performed by a Pumpman, who may also be responsible for the pump room.
GP Rating Watchkeeping Duties
Watchkeeping is one of the duties that students should understand properly before joining. On the deck side, ratings can assist with bridge watch, lookout duties, and steering under the direction of the officer.
On the engine side, ratings such as Wipers can work as members of the engine-room watch team and assist engineers with their responsibilities. During watchkeeping, you cannot simply treat the period as normal working hours. You are expected to remain alert and report anything unusual to the responsible officer.
The exact watch schedule depends on the vessel, department, and company.
GP Rating Duties During Mooring and Anchoring
Mooring and anchoring are important operations where deck ratings have a practical role.
During these operations, crew members may work with:
- Mooring ropes
- Wires
- Winches
- Windlass
- Anchoring equipment
- Other deck machinery
The Bosun generally has a more senior role in organising deck work and ensuring that the assigned tasks are completed properly. The Bosun also works with the deck crew during mooring and anchoring operations.
For a junior rating, the important thing is to understand the instructions being given and carry out the assigned task safely.
GP Rating Duties During Cargo Operations
Cargo work depends heavily on the type of vessel you are working on. A rating may assist with cargo-related operations, equipment and maintenance under the direction of the deck officers.
On some vessels, this may involve helping with loading and unloading operations, checking equipment or preparing areas for cargo work. The actual duties can therefore be quite different on a container ship, bulk carrier or tanker.
GP Rating Maintenance and Repair Duties
Maintenance is probably one of the easiest ways to understand the day-to-day work of a rating.
Deck Maintenance
Deck ratings can be involved in:
- Chipping rust
- Painting
- Cleaning
- Polishing
- Rope and wire work
- Deck equipment maintenance
- Welding and fitting
- General repairs
Engine Maintenance
Engine ratings can work on:
- Machinery cleaning
- Lubrication
- Engine-room upkeep
- Equipment maintenance
- Fitting
- Welding
- Repairs
- Assisting engineers
As you move into more experienced positions, the type and responsibility of the work can increase.
GP Rating Safety and Emergency Duties
Safety is not a separate activity that happens only during an emergency. It is part of everyday life onboard.
Ratings have to follow the safety instructions given by the officers and use the appropriate protective equipment for their work.
They can also participate in:
- Fire drills
- Abandon-ship drills
- Emergency exercises
- Safety inspections
- Lifesaving activities
- Other emergency procedures
The exact duties assigned during an emergency depend on the ship’s emergency organisation and your designated role.
GP Rating Duties According to Rank
Your duties change as you gain experience and move into different positions.
Ordinary Seaman
An OS generally works under the supervision of senior crew and can be involved in lookout, watchkeeping, steering, cleaning and basic deck maintenance.
Able-Bodied Seaman
An AB has greater responsibility and can perform bridge watchkeeping, steering, deck maintenance, cargo assistance and mooring-related work.
Bosun
The Bosun is a senior deck rating who helps organise the deck crew and oversees various maintenance and operational tasks under the deck officer’s supervision.
Wiper
A Wiper works mainly in the engine department, helping with cleaning, maintenance, and engine-room watchkeeping while assisting the engineering crew.
Motorman
A Motorman takes on more advanced engine-room maintenance and repair responsibilities involving machinery and equipment.
Join GP Rating With SMVD Marine Academy
To give a kick-start to your career and solidify your preparation for GP Rating, you need guidance. Here at SMVD Marine Academy, we identify the weak points of each candidate and work on them, be it English Speaking, aptitude, general knowledge, or confidence building. We aim to guide students who are really motivated to join the GP Rating. If you are serious about joining the Merchant Navy, then connect with us through SMVD Marine Academy. Or apply now.
To learn about which GP Rating Colleges you are eligible for, download our free Merchant Navy Decoded App that will guide you from your eligibility to the point of your selection in the Merchant Navy. Don’t just read; start preparing to make your dreams a reality.
GP Rating FAQ
The duties depend on the department and rank. They can include watchkeeping, lookout duties, steering, mooring, deck maintenance, cargo assistance, engine-room maintenance, machinery work, and safety-related activities.
GP Rating training prepares candidates for both deck and engine-related work. Your actual job depends on the position and department in which you are employed.
An Ordinary Seaman can perform lookout and watchkeeping duties with the Deck Officer, assist with steering, and carry out cleaning and general deck maintenance.
An Able-Bodied Seaman can perform bridge watchkeeping, manual steering, deck maintenance, cargo assistance, and mooring-related work.
A Wiper works in the engine department and assists with engine-room cleaning, maintenance and watchkeeping while supporting the engineering crew.
The job can be physically demanding. Deck ratings may perform maintenance and mooring work, while engine ratings can work around machinery, heat and noise.
Yes. Watchkeeping is an important part of both deck and engine rating work, although the duties differ between the two departments.