Will “Steersman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Steersman” 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 “Steersman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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