Will “Floatman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Floatman” 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 “Floatman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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