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”

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.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
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 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.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
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.
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.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
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.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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