Will “Boat Deckhand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Boat 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 “Boat Deckhand”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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