Able Seaman Jobs in the U.S. Maritime Industry
6 open able seaman positions, updated November 3, 2026
Open Able Seaman Positions
Able-Bodied Seaman
OFFSHORE AVIATION LLC
Able-Bodied Seaman
Offshore Aviation Group
Able-Bodied Seaman
The Dutra Group
ABLE BODIED SEAMAN / AB (SABAHANS)
Nimbus Marine
Able Bodied Seaman
Transocean
Able Bodied Seaman - Seaward Services - Endeavor/Explorer
Hornblower Group
About Able Seaman Jobs
Able Seaman is the senior unlicensed deck rating and the first rung where you are trusted alone. ABs stand helm and lookout watches, handle mooring and anchor work, rig cargo gear and gangways, run the deck maintenance the bosun assigns, and on many vessels serve as the qualified member of a lifeboat crew.
The endorsement comes in tiers keyed to sea time and route: Special, Limited, Unlimited, Sail, and OSV variants. Most vessels that operate under STCW also want RFPNW before they will put you on a watch, and Lifeboatman is a common line-item requirement.
The work diversity is wide. Deep-sea cargo and tanker work out of union halls, MSC and other government-operated fleets, research vessels, larger OSVs on the Gulf Coast, passenger and ferry operations in Washington, New York and Alaska, and dredges.
Pay structure follows the sector. Union deep-sea jobs pay a base daily wage with heavy overtime and contractually defined rotations. OSV and government work more often pays a flat day rate on an even-time rotation.
An AB ticket is also a decision point. Stay on deck and move toward bosun, or start stacking sea time and courses toward a license and the wheelhouse.
Where Able Seamen Are Hiring
Companies Hiring Able Seamen
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different AB endorsements?
- The main ones are AB Special, AB Limited, AB Unlimited, AB Sail, AB OSV and AB Special OSV. They differ by the sea time required and the vessels and routes they let you sail on. The NMC publishes a checklist for each.
- Do I need RFPNW to work as an AB?
- For most watchstanding berths, yes. Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch is what lets you stand a helm and lookout watch on vessels subject to STCW. Some domestic and day-boat work does not require it.
- What does an AB do that an OS does not?
- ABs stand navigation watches, take the helm in pilotage waters, and lead unlicensed deck work. Senior ABs are often given bosun or day-work roles running maintenance on their own.
- Can an AB become a mate?
- Yes. That is the standard hawsepipe path. AB sea time plus the required courses and exams can lead to a Mate or Master license, and on towing vessels to Apprentice Mate (Steersman).