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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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