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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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