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.

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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 Watchman (AB Watchman)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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