Occupations at Dundee Docks in 1840s?

[dhmm]

I am trying to identify the occupation of a relative aged 16 who was working at Dundee Docks in 1841. In the attached scan the columns L-R are Name, Age, <blank>, and Occupation. They all have the same occupation apart from the first one which is Tide Waiter, although some such as the 4th row have "ap." after, which is probably an abbreviation for "apprentice" (all the "ap"s are young, 16-17 years). There is a whole 2 pages of the same job, presumably to do with loading or unloading the ships?

It is hard to figure the occupation of all these folks from the handwriting alone as it is so short, but I am wondering if anyone who is familiar with tasks in dockyards in the mid-1800s might be able to help?

[Elwyn Soutter]

A tide waiter was a Customs Officer. Not sure about the others in the return.

[Isabel H]

The first letter looks like the M in Moon, the second of the names listed, so perhaps Mer(chant) S(ervice)?

[Gadget]

Mer S - Merchant seaman or service

[dhmm]

Thanks!  Comparing with other names on the rest of the page I can see now that it must begin with M and that the second standalone is an S, i.e. it is Mer S.  (For some reason I was thinking the first letter had to be an A originally!)

I'm still not sure if that would mean Merchant Seaman (which to me would be someone sailing on the ships) rather than someone based at the docks and loading/unloading the ships, e.g. Merchant Service or Merchant Servant. Since its from a census I would guess the latter is more likely.

Thanks again for your help.

[GR2]

They are seamen. If they were dockworkers, they would be listed as labourers, porters etc.

[Gadget]

I've looked at a transcript of the excerpt and the address is Graving Dock, Dundee. This is a another name for a dry dock. many of the Mer. Ss were 'Foreign' .  I would think that the Mer. S men were waiting for their vessel to be loaded/unloaded before going off to sea again.

I would say that the S would be for Seaman.

Gadget

[Gadget]

FreeCen describe Mer S  as Merchant Seaman

Gadget

[Isabel H]

I agree - Merchant Seaman. 
"Seaman (Merchant Service)" is how my seafaring ancestors usually appear in official records and Service is the word that popped into my head in association with Merchant. Sorry if I confused you, dhmm.