Will “Wiper” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Wiper” 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 “Wiper”

Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
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.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
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.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Participate in shore patrols.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
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.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
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.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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