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”

Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
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.
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.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
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.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
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.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Participate in shore patrols.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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