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”

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