Will “Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)” 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 “Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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