Will “Wheelman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Wheelman” 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 “Wheelman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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