Will “Able Seaman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Able 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 Seaman”

Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Participate in shore patrols.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
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.
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.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
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.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
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.
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.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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