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”

Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
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.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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