18 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You’ll spend most of the night watching for hazards: other ships, floating debris, ice, or obstructions. That means standing a scheduled watch, measuring water depth when required, and using visual signals like blinker lights or semaphores to communicate.
Between watches you record events in the log book or an electronic deck log (for example, Kongsberg Maritime K-Log). You also do maintenance chores: lubricate bearings, paint or polish wood trim, stow supplies, and help engineers with machinery repairs if called.
You’ll write in the ship’s paper log book and often enter the same entries into an electronic deck log such as Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook. Some employers also use a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track repairs and preventive maintenance.
Know basic data entry, timestamps, and how to find past entries. Microsoft Excel is commonly used for inventories and simple reports, so basic Excel skills (sorting, filters, simple formulas) are helpful.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, there were about 31,670 employed night watchmen with a median annual wage of $51,520. The lowest tenth earned about $34,560 and the top tenth about $83,620.
Wages vary by employer (merchant ship, port authority, cruise ship) and by additional certifications or duties. Use the BLS numbers to set expectations for the range.
You must keep any government-issued certifications current that your employer or flag state requires — for ships this often includes basic safety training, lifeboat and firefighting certificates, and sea service documentation. The job listing or company will name the exact certificates.
If you’ll lower or man lifeboats or handle pumps and cargo, specific STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) modules and tank-ship training may be required. Ask the employer for the exact list before you sign on.
Compared with a security guard, a night watchman on a ship also handles seamanship and machinery tasks: measuring depth, splicing ropes, lubricating engine parts, and operating pumps. You’re part watchkeeper and part deckhand.
Compared with a full-time deckhand, night watchmen often focus more on watch duties and routine maintenance rather than heavy daywork. But you still do many deckhand tasks like painting, stowing supplies, and helping engineers.
You can use AI to draft clearer log entries or to organize inventory lists, but never replace official records. The legal log book or the ship’s K-Log entry must match what actually happened and be verified by you.
Also avoid using AI to make safety decisions—measurements, depth soundings, signals, and emergency actions must come from your instruments and training. Use AI only for administrative drafts, checklists, or to learn procedures.
Practice basic knots and splices with twine and a marlinespike, and learn to use wire cutters. Also practice lubing simple bearings and basic hand tools, since you’ll help engineers and do small repairs.
Familiarize yourself with log-keeping: timestamping events, concise factual writing, and simple Excel inventory sheets. Learn how to operate a portable depth sounder and basic visual signals (blinkers, semaphore) — those are used every watch.