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”

Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
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.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
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.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Participate in shore patrols.
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.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
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.
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.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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