Will “Vessel Ordinary Seaman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Vessel Ordinary 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 “Vessel Ordinary Seaman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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