Editing Seamanship (section)

==Ship knowledge, ship stability and cargo operations==
[[File:Cargo ship being loaded (2929265311).jpg|thumb|right|Seamanship involves loading cargo, calculating its effect on ship stability and ensuring it is correctly stowed and secured, such as on this car carrier.]]

Seamanship on a [[merchant navy|commercial level]] involves a knowledge of all the different ship types (such as [[bulk carrier]]s, [[container ship]]s,  [[oil tanker]]s, [[cruise ship]]s, [[platform supply vessel]]s, and others), including a basic knowledge of ship recognition, a basic understanding of nautical terms, ship structure and [[naval architecture]] and cargo operations, specific to the vessel the seafarer is working on.<ref name="21stCenturya"/><ref name="Knightix">{{cite book |last=Noel |first=John V |date=1991 |title=Knight's Modern Seamanship |publisher=Wiley |page=ix-x |isbn=9780471289487}}</ref> Some ship types will have specialist cargo equipment and tools; for example, a bulk carrier may have gantry cranes or grabs for cargo or a container ship may have container lashings.<ref name="21stCenturya"/> Cargoes should be properly stowed and secured to prevent shifting while at sea.<ref name="21stCenturya"/>  Oil tankers and [[gas carrier]]s can be somewhat complex due to the hazardous nature of their cargoes, and therefore a greater degree of seamanship may be necessary for some vessel types compared to others.<ref name="21stCenturya"/>

Seamanship involves paying close attention to the [[Ship stability|stability]] of the vessel at all times.<ref name="21stCenturyg">{{cite book |date=2015 |title=21st Century Seamanship |location=Edinburgh |publisher=[[Witherby Publishing Group]] |page=579-674 |isbn=9781856096324}}</ref> This involves calculation of the vessel and the effects of its cargo at various stages of the voyage (on departure, at sea and on arrival in port) to allow for safe passage and prevent [[capsizing]] (where a vessel turns on to its side or is upside down).<ref name="21stCenturyg"/> This includes familiarity and application of the [[International Convention on Load Lines|Load Line Convention]], where a vessel can only be safely loaded to its markings to ensure residual stability for the likely weather conditions.<ref name="21stCenturyg"/>  Seafarers should regularly inspect their vessel and ensure the hull is in good condition for navigation.<ref name="21stCenturyg"/>

Seamanship skills apply to the safe use of different types of lifting gear, whether for cargo operations or for bringing on stores, supplies and provisions.<ref name="Techniques105">{{cite book |last=House |first=David  |date=1994 |title=Seamanship Techniques |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |page=105-149|isbn=978-0750622035}}</ref> These example [[Derricks]], Union purchase arrangements, midship or aft [[Crane (machine)|cranes]], heavy lifting gear, rigging other sheer legs etc.<ref name="Techniques105"/> This should include knowledge of calculations of stresses and effects on stability.<ref name="Techniques105"/>