Sailors and Marine Oilers

Career 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.

Industry: Transportation and Material Moving

Other Job Titles for Sailors and Marine Oilers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• Lubricate machinery, equipment, and engine parts such as gears, shafts, and bearings.
• Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear.
• Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, and cordage, using marlinespikes, wirecutters, twine, and hand tools.
• Provide engineers with assistance in repairing and adjusting machinery.
• Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
• Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
• Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, and sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
• Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses and quarterdecks.
• Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays, and record data in engineering logs.
• Examine machinery to verify specified pressures and lubricant flows.
• Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
• Record in ships' logs data such as weather conditions and distances traveled.
• Attach hoses and operate pumps in order to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
• Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
• Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices such as blinker lights and semaphores.
• 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.
• Clean and polish wood trim, brass, and other metal parts.
• Shovel material such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete into containers or bins, or onto conveyors.
• Erect tents and canopies to protect crews and equipment from weather.
• Secure and release mooring lines of ships.
• Sew canvas and other materials to make and repair tents, tarps, scrims, and backings, using sewing machines.

Emerging Tasks

• Load or unload materials, vehicles or passengers from vessels.
• Explain and calculate parking charges, collect fees from customers, and respond to customer complaints.
• Issue ticket stubs or place numbered tags on windshields, log tags or attach tag to customers' keys, and give customers matching tags for locating parked vehicles.
• Perform cash handling tasks, such as making change, balancing and recording cash drawer, and distributing tips.
• Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and scheduling employees.
• Provide customer assistance and information, such as giving directions and handling wheelchairs.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• clean rooms or work areas
• deploy running gear on watercraft
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct course or speed of ship
• dismantle or reassemble rigging
• handle boat or ship tie-off lines
• inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
• load/unload passenger luggage or cargo
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• maintain daily logs or records
• maintain or repair boat or ship hull or superstructure
• maintain or repair ship/boat engine, machinery or equipment
• maintain production or work records
• maintain records, reports, or files
• measure water depth
• mend or repair fishing nets or other watercraft gear
• monitor sonar or navigational aids
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate cargo handling gear
• operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate navigation technology or equipment
• order helmsperson to steer vessel
• perform safety inspections in transportation setting
• read maps
• read navigation charts
• recognize reefs, shoals, or other hazards by navigation aids
• repair specialized rigging
• set up specialized rigging
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• stand watch on vessel
• steer boat or ship
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use geographic positioning system (GPS)
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of seamanship or boat handling
• use knowledge of tides and currents
• use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
• use stationary rigging aboard ship
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use weighing or measuring devices in transportation
• resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
• resolve personnel problems or grievances
• review schedules to obtain cargo loading information
• route freight shipments
• schedule activities, classes, or events
• schedule employee work hours
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use weighing or measuring devices in transportation

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$15.66
• Average annual wage (2007) - $32,570.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 15.73%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 5,186
• Employment (2006): 32,981

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