ABSTRACT
Seafarers belong to a profession with deep historical roots, with distinctive strategies for navigation and teamwork. Within the western world, seafarers have traditionally been educated through participatory learning on vessels and ships as part of their vocation. During the 18th century, in the British Navy, sailors went to sea as boys, usually aged 12, serving on deck where they performed a range of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck department areas and equipment. They could be rated as seafarers from when they were about 16 years old having mastered all the skills associated with their rank. To rise to the rank of an officer the sailor had to pass an examination of all aspects of seamanship. Training of seafarers was very much "on the job" and long durations of service were required to prove one’s worth (Lavery, 1998).
