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

83% Chance of Automation

“Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)” 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 “Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)”

Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
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.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
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.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
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.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
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.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Participate in shore patrols.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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