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.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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