Will “Merchant Seaman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Merchant Seaman” 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 “Merchant Seaman”

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

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

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