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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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