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)”

Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
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.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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.
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.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
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.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
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.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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