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)”

Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
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 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 gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
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.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Participate in shore patrols.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
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.
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.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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