Sailors and Marine Oilers - MehtA+ Tutoring

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)
Able Seaman
Deck Hand
Deckhand

Alternate Job Titles

Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)
Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)
Able Seaman
Aerographer's Mate
Barge Hand
Barge Worker
Bargeman
Boat Crew Deck Hand
Boat Deckhand
Boat Hand
Boat Laborer
Boat Person
Boatman
Boatswain's Mate
Bosun

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
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.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Far Vision
Control Precision
Oral Comprehension
Depth Perception
Problem Sensitivity
Perceptual Speed
Multilimb Coordination
Auditory Attention
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual Dexterity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Cautiousness
Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Achievement
Relationships
Working Conditions
Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Air chippers
Anti-exposure coveralls
Bilge pumping systems
Blinker lights
Bolt cutters
Bridge telephones
Carbon dioxide CO2 firefighting systems
Cargo booms
Cargo derricks
Cargo hooks
Centrifugal cargo pumps
Centrifugal ventilators
Chain cargo falls
Chipping hammers
Claw hammers

Work Environment

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
Exposed to Contaminants

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$33,350
Median	$49,610
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$81,890

Workers Employed Nationally: 31,360