Will “Floater” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Floater” 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 “Floater”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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