Will “Seaman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“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 “Seaman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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