Will “Roustabout” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Roustabout” 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 “Roustabout”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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