Sailor

Sailor
	Three types of mariners, seen here in the wheelhouse of a ship: a master, able seaman, and harbour pilot.
Occupation
Occupation type	Profession
Activity sectors	Military and civilian
Description
Competencies	Physical; Stamina; Mindset
Fields of; employment	Navy, Coast Guard, civilian companies and organizations
Related jobs	Maritime

A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship. While the term sailor has its etymological roots from sailing, that is a time when sailing ships were the main mode of transport at sea, it now refers to the personnel of all watercraft regardless of the type of vessel, boat or ship.^[1] It encompasses people who operate ships professionally, be it for a military (navy) or civilian (merchant navy) or for sports or recreation. In a navy, there may be further distinctions: sailor may refer to any member of the navy even if they are based on land, while seaman may refer to a specific enlisted rank. Additionally, fisherman are seen as a distinct type of sailor, that is those engaged in fishing.

Sailors have existed from the earliest periods in history as people as people used boats for purposes such as maritime transport.^[2]^[3] Professional sailors normally undertake training or other forms of education to develop their skills. Professional sailors are also governed by regulations, including the STCW Convention.^[4]

^ "Definition of SAILOR". Merriam-Webster. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
^ Anderson, Romola; Anderson, R. C. (2003-09-01). A Short History of the Sailing Ship. Mineola, NY: Courier Corporation. ISBN 978-0-486-42988-5.
^ Abulafia, David (2019). The Boundless Sea. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-993498-0.
^ "International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 2025-05-03.

[u812-1] "Definition of SAILOR". Merriam-Webster. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2025-05-03.

[k025-2] Anderson, Romola; Anderson, R. C. (2003-09-01). A Short History of the Sailing Ship. Mineola, NY: Courier Corporation. ISBN 978-0-486-42988-5.

[y499-3] Abulafia, David (2019). The Boundless Sea. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-993498-0.

[u934-4] "International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 2025-05-03.

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