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Ab Seaman Jobs (NOW HIRING)

McAllister Towing

AB Seaman

Staten Island, NY · On-site

$404/day

Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) - Meet the Deckhands at McAllister Towing Reports to: The Able-Bodied Seaman is responsible and accountable to the Mate and/or Captain if necessary. Supervises: As an ...

McAllister Towing

AB Seaman

Staten Island, NY

$404/day

Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) - Meet the Deckhands at McAllister Towing Reports to: The Able-Bodied Seaman is responsible and accountable to the Mate and/or Captain if necessary. Supervises: As an ...

lynden

AB Seaman - Alaska

Anchorage, AK

As an AB Seaman, you'll help keep vessels running safely by supporting deck operations and crew activities. Join a stable, familyowned company with a strong team culture and a reputation for getting ...

Lynden Incorporated

AB Seaman - Alaska

Anchorage, AK · On-site

As an AB Seaman, you'll help keep vessels running safely by supporting deck operations and crew activities. Join a stable, family-owned company with a strong team culture and a reputation for getting ...

lynden

AB Seaman - Alaska

Anchorage, AK

As an AB Seaman, you'll help keep vessels running safely by supporting deck operations and crew activities. Join a stable, familyowned company with a strong team culture and a reputation for getting ...

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How much do ab seaman jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for ab seaman in the United States is $33.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the AB position in seaman?

The AB (Able Seaman) is a skilled deck crew member responsible for maintaining the ship's exterior, handling cargo, and standing watch. They typically hold certifications such as STCW and perform tasks requiring good seamanship, safety awareness, and teamwork. The position often requires experience at sea and physical fitness.

How much is the salary of an ab seaman?

The salary of an AB Seaman typically ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 per month, depending on experience, certifications, and the shipping company. Salaries may also include benefits such as accommodation, food, and travel allowances, with pay often increasing with seniority and onboard responsibilities.

What are the typical work shifts and onboard living conditions like for an AB Seaman?

AB Seamen usually work in rotating shifts, often following a watch schedule that can include nights, weekends, or extended periods at sea. Living conditions onboard vary by vessel but generally include shared cabins, communal dining areas, and access to basic amenities. While the work is hands-on and can be physically demanding, you'll be part of a close-knit crew where teamwork is highly valued. Understanding these dynamics helps job seekers prepare for the unique aspects of life at sea and form realistic expectations about work-life balance during assignments.

What is an AB Seaman job?

An Able-Bodied (AB) Seaman is a skilled deck crew member on a vessel responsible for maintenance, cargo handling, and navigation assistance. Their duties include securing ships for docking, operating deck machinery, and performing lookout duties. AB Seamen work under the supervision of officers to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the vessel. They must have experience, training, and certification, such as a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with an AB rating. This role is essential for maintaining the overall functionality and safety of a ship at sea.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Ab Seaman position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Able Seaman (AB Seaman), you need strong seamanship skills, knowledge of vessel operations, and a valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), often with STCW endorsements. Familiarity with deck equipment, safety gear, navigation systems, and emergency procedures is essential. Reliability, teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial to ensuring the safety and efficiency of vessel operations, often in challenging and dynamic maritime environments.

What is an AB seaman's salary?

An AB (Able Seaman) seaman's salary varies depending on the country, experience, and the shipping company, but typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per month. Additional benefits may include overtime pay, accommodations, and health insurance, and certifications such as STCW are often required for employment at sea.

What does an AB seaman do?

An AB (Able Seaman) is a trained deck crew member responsible for maintaining the ship's exterior, including watchkeeping, cargo handling, and safety procedures. They perform tasks such as steering, lookout duties, and assisting with navigation, often requiring certification and safety training. The role involves working in various weather conditions and adhering to maritime safety standards.
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Ab Seaman jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ab Seaman job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,482 per year, or $33.4 per hour.
AB Seaman

AB Seaman

McAllister Towing

Staten Island, NY • On-site

$404/day

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description


McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain James McAllister, great-grandfather to current president Brian Buckley McAllister, bought his first sail lighter to carry cargo from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Today, McAllister's tugs provide a wide variety of services to the busy ports of New York and New Jersey, serving the most concentrated and affluent consumer market in the world and handling a significant part of the 16 million tons of cargo that passes through the port every year. In addition to ship docking services and general harbor assist work, New York based tugs are regularly employed in offshore towing along the entire East Coast.
McAllister is proud of its long history in New York Harbor and continues to provide its clients and customers with the highest quality service.
McAllister Towing of NY is seeking Able-Bodied Seaman. Duties and responsibilities are outlined below.
Able-Bodied Seaman (AB) - Meet the Deckhands at McAllister Towing
Reports to:
The Able-Bodied Seaman is responsible and accountable to the Mate and/or Captain if necessary.
Supervises:
As an experienced member of the deck department, the Able-Bodied Seaman supervises subordinate deck personnel at the direction of the Mate or Captain.
Description of Duties:
  • Helmsman
  • Lookout.
  • Handles lines to and from the vessel during operations at the direction of the Officer in Charge of the Navigation Watch; secures vessel to dock.
  • Loading and off-loading supplies to and from vessel; Receives, stows and secures supplies and provisions brought aboard.
  • Store, secure and tie down all freight being transported.
  • Ensure that lifesaving, firefighting, and all other safety equipment are in working order.
  • Launch and clear away lifeboats/IBA's in the event of an emergency. Take command of IBA's, Rescue boat, lifeboats, and other lifesaving equipment. (Must be a Coast Guard certified lifeboatman)
  • Participates in all training, drills and exercises.
  • Performs assigned firefighting, man overboard and abandon ship duties as assigned on the Station Bill.
  • Performs cleaning and maintenance duties as assigned by the Captain or Mate.
  • Project a positive company image to customers, other mariners, terminal personnel and the public.
  • Other duties as may be assigned by the Mate or Captain.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Able Seaman (AB) rating.
  • Valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
  • Valid STCW Certification
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Pass pre-employment drug test.
  • Pass pre-employment physical.

Physical Requirements:
The unpredictable, ever-changing, and inherently dangerous nature of vessel operations require the Able-Bodied Seaman to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the vessel and crew. Specific physical requirements include:
  • Adequate vision (i.e., absent any color blindness or impairment that cannot be corrected with prescription lenses).
  • Adequate hearing.
  • Capable of walking and standing on wet surfaces for extended periods of time.
  • Able to handle heavy lines and operate heavy machinery.
  • Ability to climb a 12-foot ladder without assistance.
  • Ability to hoist oneself up and over a 12-inch wide, 6-foot-high barrier.

Sufficient strength to:
  • Lift 100 lbs. from deck to waist level
  • Lift 100 lbs. from deck to waist level
  • Lift 50 lbs. from deck to shoulder level
  • Lift 35 lbs. from deck to overhead; and
  • Pull (drag) 120 lbs. at least 20 feet

Salary: Day Rate - starting at $404 a day
FLSA Status:
  • Exempt

*This position description does not promise or imply that the functions listed are the only duties to be performed or that the position may not change or be eliminated. Employees are always expected to follow their supervisor's instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") Employer.
It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of McAllister Towing not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.
This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

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