Will “Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Able Bodied Seaman (AB 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 “Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)”

Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
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.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
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.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
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.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
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.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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