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I have many Merchant Mariners in my family who lived in the Port of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Words for the same occupation changes over the centuries and it will be noted that a MARINER is/was a sailor/seaman/seafarer. 

Britain has TWO navies: 
(1)  The UK government organises and pays for the ROYAL MAVY and

(2)  there is also a MERCHANT NAVY.  This comprises of ships owned by companies, or in the olden days would be owned by rich individuals such as "tea merchants" who owned plantations growing tea or cotton. Or other rich people such as landowners who have paid for part share of a ship and thus have a share of the profits.

Your ancestor was obviously employed to work on merchant ships.  In the days of old ships that used wind to fill the canvas sails, his job would be very manual and would need expertise and agility if he was required to climb the masts and rigging to furl the sails on a fast Clipper for example.  Or in later years he would be employed on steam ships that needed men to look after the steam engine and also "stokers & trimmers" to shovel coal into the steam boilers.

If you know the name of any of the ships your ancestor sailed on then you could follow his travels because local newspapers (such as the Hull Packet) in every port published the days arrivals and departures by giving the name of the ship, plus name of captain plus the last port or future port of call.

A Dictionary of Old Trades, Titles and Occupations:

Mariner = anyone whose work entailed them going to sea (See master mariner, proper mariner and common mariner)

Master mariner = A seaman who has passed his examination to become ship's master and so be i charge of a ship.

Proper mariner = A highly qualified mariner fit for international navigation (as opposed to a common mariner - see under that entry)

Common mariner = A mariner involved in the coastal trade who only navigates within sight of land and other ships (i.e. someone who is skilled but not highly skilled at their trade).

1861 census- 16 Charles Square, Sculcoates, Kingston Upon Hull

John Graves 38 Shipwright born Hull
Catherine Graves 68 mother /widowed
Catherine 17 Milliner
Robert 11  scholar
Maria 7  scholar

You quote this address in 1871

1871: 18 collier street, providence place, Hull, Yorkshire, England.

At this address is
John GRAVES aged 30 born Hull
Elizabeth Graves aged 22 born Hull
Ada Graves aged 0 born Hull

GRAVES, ADA       mmn YOUNG 
GRO Reference: 1870  D Quarter in HULL  Volume 09D  Page 203       

Marriages Jun 1870   
Graves    John        Hull    9d   305   
Rogerson    William        Hull    9d   305    
WILSON    Mary Jane        Hull    9d   305    
YOUNG    Ann Elizabeth        Hull    9d   305

3 records, 3 Graves no Greaves.

John