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”

Participate in shore patrols.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
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.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
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.
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.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
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.
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.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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