Sailor's rank

My great-grandfather's (Olaf Hansen) occupation is listed in the 1900 Tune census as "Søfarende Bedstemand[/b]". What does this mean ? - I think it means "Sailor of Some Rank". Is that correct? If so, does this mean he was in the navy or on a merchant ship? Where do I obtain more information on his career? I do know he travelled to Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada in about 1893 -1894, possibly on a pulp ship. Thank-you.