deck hand

American  

noun

1. Nautical. a sailor whose duties are performed on deck.

---

deck hand British  

noun

1. a seaman assigned various duties, such as mooring and cargo handling, on the deck of a ship

2. (in Britain) a seaman over 17 years of age who has seen sea duty for at least one year

3. a helper aboard a yacht

---

Etymology

Origin of deck hand

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

He works as a deck hand, helping to load coal onto river barges.

From The Wall Street Journal

The deck hand went onto the deck to close the yacht's windows.

From BBC

As a boy during the Depression, Mr. Donahue said he first took notice of unions after he saw his father’s wages jump when he became a union-member deck hand on the Staten Island Ferry after working as a janitor.

From Washington Post

A nine-year veteran deck hand for Washington State Ferries, she was a favorite of her colleagues for her smile and her kind demeanor.

From Seattle Times

Chuck Bundrant, 79, an epic figure in North Pacific fisheries who started his career as a deck hand on a crabber and went on to co-found Seattle-based Trident Seafoods, died Oct.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• boater
• cadet
• diver
• marine
• pilot