Vacancies for Messman

Messman is a catering crew position on board merchant vessels, passenger ships and some offshore vessels. The Messman usually works in the galley and crew service area, helping the Cook and, on some vessels, the Chief Steward. In practice, the Messman helps with food preparation, serving meals, cleaning the galley and mess room, setting tables and keeping food storage areas in good order.

On passenger vessels and cruise ships, similar entry-level galley or service positions may also be listed as Mess Boy. In merchant shipping, however, Messman is the more common title for this type of catering crew role.

Messman Salary Expectations

Messman salary depends mainly on vessel type, company, contract terms and previous catering experience. The average Messman salary on Maritime Zone is around USD 1,479/month. In current vacancies, many Messman jobs offer around USD 1,000 - 1,600 per month, while stronger contracts on tankers, LPG/LNG vessels, container ships, passenger vessels and some offshore-related vessels may offer higher wages.

On dry cargo vessels, general cargo ships and bulk carriers, Messman wages are often around USD 1,050 - 1,500 per month. Tankers and LPG/LNG vessels usually offer around USD 1,400 - 1,600 per month, while some container ship and passenger vessel contracts may reach USD 1,700 or more depending on the company and contract conditions. For a broader overview, see the Messman salary statistics page.

Duties

The Messman works as part of the catering department and supports the daily work of the galley. Typical duties include helping with simple food preparation, serving meals, cleaning tables, washing dishes, keeping the mess room tidy, and maintaining cleanliness in the galley and pantry areas.

The job may also include arranging dining areas before mealtimes, receiving and storing provisions, checking that food storage areas are kept in good order, taking out garbage, cleaning refrigerators and storerooms, and assisting the Cook with routine tasks during busy meal periods. On larger vessels, the Messman may also work under the supervision of the Chief Steward.

Although this is a junior catering position, the role is important for daily life on board. A clean mess room, organized galley and timely meal service help keep the crew comfortable during long contracts at sea.

Requirements

A Messman vacancy usually requires valid seafarer documents, STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), a valid medical fitness certificate and a Seaman's Book. Previous sea experience is not always required, but experience in catering, housekeeping, kitchen work, hotel service or restaurant service can be a strong advantage.

Employers usually expect a Messman to maintain good personal hygiene, work in a disciplined manner, stay physically fit, be polite and easy to work with, and be ready for routine work. Basic food safety awareness, attention to cleanliness and the ability to follow instructions from the Cook or Chief Steward are especially important.

Additional advantages may include previous experience on passenger vessels, ferries, cruise ships, offshore vessels or ships with multinational crews. Basic English can also be useful, especially on vessels where the catering team works with international officers and crew.

If you are looking for the best Messman vacancies, compare not only salary, but also vessel type, contract length, crew size, workload, trading area and the reputation of the company. A good Messman contract can be a useful first step in the catering department and may help build experience for future positions such as Steward, Cook or Chief Cook.