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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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