Will “Boat Hand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Boat Hand” 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 “Boat Hand”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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