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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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