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.

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 “Wheelman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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