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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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