Will “Deck Hand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Deck Hand” 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 “Deck Hand”

Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
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.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
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.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
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.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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