Will “Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #461 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-5011.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 46,170.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 22.00
Currently, there are 32,530 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Sailors and Marine Oilers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)”

Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Participate in shore patrols.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.

Related Technology & Tools

Safety belts
Two way radios
Magnetic compasses
Container lift trucks
Emergency position-indicating radio beacons
Hydraulic deck cranes
Life rings
Anti-exposure coveralls
Explosimeters
Cargo derricks
Pyrotechnic distress signals
Gear pumps
Workshop vises
Tank level gauges
Carbon dioxide CO2 firefighting systems
Wire splicers
Thermal protective aids TPA
Personal computers
Steam winches
Spanner wrenches
Safety glasses
Portable fire extinguishers
Safety lanyards
Mechanical telegraphs
Pipe wrenches
Centrifugal ventilators
Riding pawls
Emergency generators
Gyrocompasses
Engine room alarm systems
Pilot ladders
Manual winches
Chain cargo falls
Chipping hammers
Electric telegraphs
Lifeboats
Electric windlasses
Bilge pumping systems
Oil dispensing cans
Mooring cables
Semaphores
Ratchet sets
Grabbing cranes
Desktop computers
Forklifts
Hand capstans
Sheave blocks
Voice pipes
Ship anchor chocks
Sounding tapes
Signal flags
Locking jaw pliers
Cargo hooks
Radio direction finders RDF
Lifting spreaders
Safety helmets
Hand punches
Bridge telephones
Sharpening steels
Welders
Bolt cutters
Centrifugal cargo pumps
Blinker lights
Wire cutters
Portable gas detectors
Metal chisels
Air chippers
Electric deck cranes
Respirators
Cargo booms
Hydraulic mooring winches
Electric mooring winches
Foam firefighting systems
Mooring chains
Fire hoses
Reciprocating pumps
Life buoys
Natural fiber mooring ropes
Hydraulic capstans
Ship alarm systems
Lifeboat davits
Grease dispensing guns
Magnet hoists
Claw hammers
Hand windlasses
Synthetic mooring ropes
Crescent wrenches
Sounding rods
Lifting slings
Liquid cargo transfer hoses
Hydraulic windlasses
Life jackets
Sewing needles
Radar navigation systems
Filter masks
Galvanized thimbles
Fids

KNMI TurboWin
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Word
Log book software