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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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