<P> Seaman is a naval rank and is either the lowest or one of the lowest ranks in most navies around the world . In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the navy . The next rank up is able seaman, followed by leading seaman, which is followed by the petty officer ranks . </P> <P> In the United States, it means the lowest three enlisted rates of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, followed by the higher petty officer ranks . The equivalent of the seaman is the matelot in French - speaking countries, and Matrose in German - speaking countries . </P> <P> The term "seaman" is also a general - purpose for a man or a woman who works anywhere on board a modern ship, including in the engine spaces, which is the very opposite of sailing . This is untrue in the US Navy where a sailor might be a seaman but not all US Navy sailors are a' Seaman' as they might be an Airman, Fireman, Constructionman, or Hospital Corpsman . Furthermore, "seaman" is a short form for the status of an "able - bodied seaman," either in the navies or in the merchant marines . An able - bodied seaman is one who is fully trained and qualified to work on the decks and superstructure of modern ships, even during foul weather, whereas less - qualified sailors are restricted to remaining within the ship during times of foul weather--lest they be swept overboard by the stormy seas or by the high winds . </P> <P> The Royal Australian Navy features one Seaman rank, which is split into two distinct classes . Seaman and Seaman * (pronounced Seaman Star), to differentiate between those who have completed their employment training and those who are in training . There is no insignia on a Seaman rank slide . </P>

What is the work of seaman in navy