Will “Deckhand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Deckhand” 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 “Deckhand”

Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
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.
Participate in shore patrols.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
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.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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