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…
- Sailors and Marine Oilers
- Tankerman
- Oiler
- Deckhand Engineer
- Deckhand
- Deck Hand
- Bosun
- Boat Crew Deck Hand
- Able Seaman
- Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)
- Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)
- Yachtsman
- Yacht Hand
- Wiper
- Wheelman
- Water Tender
- Vessel Ordinary Seaman
- Steersman
- Steerer
- Ship Laborer
- Seaman
- Scowman
- Scow Hand
- Scaler
- Sailor
- Roustabout
- Riverman
- River Transportation Worker
- Refrigerating Oiler
- Quartermaster
- Pleasure Craft Sailor
- Ordinary Seaman
- Master at Arms
- Mariner
- Marine Water Tender
- Marine Technician
- Marine Oiler
- Marine Fireman
- Marine Firefighter
- Lookout
- Lighterman
- Handyman
- Floatman
- Floater
- Float Tender
- Ferryman
- Ferry Hand
- Deck Mate
- Deck Cadet
- Crewman
- Crew Member
- Chief Yeoman
- Chief Engineer's Helper
- Captain's Assistant
- Cadet
- Cabin Worker
- Buoy Tender
- Boat Person
- Boat Laborer
- Boat Hand
- Boat Deckhand
- Bargeman
- Barge Worker
- Barge Hand
Tasks for “Merchant Seaman”
- Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
- Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
- Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
- 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.
- Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
- Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
- Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
- Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
- Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
- Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
- Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- 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.
- Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
- Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
- Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
- Participate in shore patrols.
- Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
- Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
- Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Related Technology & Tools
- Pilot ladders
- Chain cargo falls
- Gear pumps
- Chipping hammers
- Safety belts
- Riding pawls
- Steam winches
- Hand capstans
- Pipe wrenches
- Sheave blocks
- Engine room alarm systems
- Desktop computers
- Electric telegraphs
- Liquid cargo transfer hoses
- Hand punches
- Cargo booms
- Blinker lights
- Cargo derricks
- Life jackets
- Locking jaw pliers
- Mechanical telegraphs
- Wire cutters
- Crescent wrenches
- Radar navigation systems
- Electric mooring winches
- Emergency generators
- Radio direction finders RDF
- Semaphores
- Ratchet sets
- Thermal protective aids TPA
- Bilge pumping systems
- Oil dispensing cans
- Sounding tapes
- Wire splicers
- Ship alarm systems
- Sewing needles
- Anti-exposure coveralls
- Lifting spreaders
- Emergency position-indicating radio beacons
- Personal computers
- Electric windlasses
- Hydraulic capstans
- Mooring chains
- Portable gas detectors
- Foam firefighting systems
- Spanner wrenches
- Carbon dioxide CO2 firefighting systems
- Lifeboats
- Air chippers
- Container lift trucks
- Bolt cutters
- Magnet hoists
- Workshop vises
- Hydraulic windlasses
- Life rings
- Safety glasses
- Electric deck cranes
- Synthetic mooring ropes
- Galvanized thimbles
- Fids
- Forklifts
- Hydraulic deck cranes
- Lifeboat davits
- Grabbing cranes
- Magnetic compasses
- Bridge telephones
- Pyrotechnic distress signals
- Manual winches
- Ship anchor chocks
- Grease dispensing guns
- Voice pipes
- Metal chisels
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Signal flags
- Sounding rods
- Hydraulic mooring winches
- Tank level gauges
- Welders
- Natural fiber mooring ropes
- Claw hammers
- Two way radios
- Hand windlasses
- Fire hoses
- Centrifugal ventilators
- Explosimeters
- Sharpening steels
- Lifting slings
- Cargo hooks
- Gyrocompasses
- Filter masks
- Life buoys
- Safety lanyards
- Centrifugal cargo pumps
- Mooring cables
- Safety helmets
- Respirators
- Reciprocating pumps
- Microsoft Windows
- KNMI TurboWin
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Microsoft Word
- Log book software
- Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook