National
| Median wages (2008) |
$16.53 hourly, $34,390 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
33,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
17,000 additional employees |
53-5011.00 - Sailors and Marine Oilers
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Deckhand, Deck Hand, Able Seaman, Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman), Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman), Bosun, Merchant Marine, Oiler, Quarter Master, Able Bodied Tankerman (AB Tankerman)
Tasks
- Maintain government-issued certifications as required.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
- Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers, or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
- Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
- Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings in order to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses.
- Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while they are in port.
- Overhaul lifeboats and lifeboat gear, and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- Operate, maintain, and repair ship equipment such as winches, cranes, derricks, and weapons system.
- Load or unload materials from vessels.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Anchor lines — Mooring cables; Mooring chains; Natural fiber mooring ropes; Synthetic mooring ropes |
| Anchor rollers — Electric windlasses; Hand capstans; Hydraulic capstans; Hydraulic windlasses |
| Bridge cranes — Electric deck cranes; Grabbing cranes; Hydraulic deck cranes |
| Depth gauges — Sounding rods; Sounding tapes; Tank level gauges |
| Hoists — Cargo derricks; Chain cargo falls; Magnet hoists |
| Loading equipment — Container lift trucks; Lifting spreaders |
| Marine signaling systems — Blinker lights; Semaphores; Signal flags |
| Winches — Electric mooring winches; Hydraulic mooring winches; Manual winches; Steam winches |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — KNMI TurboWin; Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook; Log book software |
| Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software |
