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

83% Chance of Automation

“Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)” 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 Watchman (AB Watchman)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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