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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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