Working on deck is much of a challenge because it takes a lot of effort to get the work done. One must be patient, diligent, precise, enduring, with survival instinct, prayerful and extra careful. Deck chores vary according to job order i.e. ship’s parlance meaning identified chore or task. Usually, deck ratings and cadets do the routine of maintaining the ship’s external structure and other deck implements.
Normal routine chores like painting, chipping or rust removal, cargo hold and deck washing, fresh water and ballast tanks cleaning, greasing of deck machineries, pilot and gangway ladder rigging etc. forms part of significant challenge for deck ratings. Overcoming the rudiments of ship chores subsequently makes deck ratings pass the mark or grade of seamanship.
In the picture, a GP2D/OS doing his painting chores at the forward area and dangling in a makeshift ladder with his fellow deck crew while painting the forward’s starboard side.
