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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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