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Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
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Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
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Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
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Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
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Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
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Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
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Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
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Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
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Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
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Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
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Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
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Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
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Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
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Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
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Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
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Participate in shore patrols.
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Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
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Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
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Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
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Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
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Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
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Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
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Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
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Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
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Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
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Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
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Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.