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. 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 “Lighterman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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