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”

Participate in shore patrols.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
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.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
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.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
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.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
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.
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.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
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.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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