Will “Ship Laborer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Ship Laborer” 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.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

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 “Ship Laborer”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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