deck hand

American  

noun

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

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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

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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

Five people were injured "either by falling or from things falling on them" and the deck hand was "thrown into the sea", the report says.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• boater
• cadet
• diver
• marine
• pilot