Will “Deck Hand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Deck 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 “Deck Hand”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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