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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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