Will “Lighterman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Lighterman” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #461 out of #702, where higher means 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 “Lighterman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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