04/16/1993 27610

ABLE-BODIED SAILOR, FLAGSHIP NIAGARA

DEFINITION: This is professional sailing work aboard the United States Brig Niagara.

Employees in this class function as journeyman-level crew members assigned various tasks in the operation, repair, and maintenance of the ship. Work also includes providing volunteer crew, guests, and the general public with interpretive information about the ship, its role in American history, and sailing vessels in general. Employees may periodically be assigned lead work responsibility by a ship's officer over other professional and/or volunteer crew members for specific tasks.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Steer the ship under sail or engine power, executing all helm orders for maneuvering.

Sets up standing rigging, ties basic and advanced knots, and adjusts footrope lashings.

Performs required repairs and maintenance to the ship as directed by a ship's officer.

Runs the jibboom in and out, crosses yards and sends them down, sends T'gallant masts up and down.

Leads work parties as assigned by a ship's officer, takes charge of sail handling, and oversees line handling at pinrails for maneuvers.

Launches life rafts and takes charge of rafts.

Rigs awnings, brows and fenders, battens hatches, rigs anchor lights and day shapes, cats and fishes anchor, and starts all the ship's pumping systems 

Assists with training of the volunteer crew in all aspects of the ship's operation.

Assists with the interpretation of the ship to the general public.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of man- overboard procedures.

Knowledge of anchor handling and mooring.

Knowledge of the basic commands and terminology of square-rigged sailing vessels.

Knowledge of the duties of lookout, anchor watch, and gangway watch.

Skill in tying basic and advanced knots.

Ability to clearly and effectively communicate commands to both novice and experienced crew members.

Ability to launch and recover boats from the ship's davits.

Ability to maneuver a boat under oar or engine power.

Ability to swim at least 200 yards.

Ability to learn standing orders.

Ability to identify line groupings on the pinrail.

Ability to climb a rope hand-over-hand for at least 10 feet.

Ability to prime and use deck bilge pumps.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six months experience aboard a sailing vessel of 100 tons or greater; and eligibility for a United States Coast Guard Able-Bodied Seaman's Sailing Card.