Occupation · SOC 53-5011
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. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.
Median wage
$49,610
$33,350–$81,890
Projected growth
+2.2%
Slower than average
Annual openings
70
per year
Employed (US)
31,360
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
4 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringTroubleshootingRepairingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionEquipment MaintenanceActive LearningWritingPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment SelectionInstructingNegotiationMathematicsLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityTransportationMechanicalEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaMedicine and DentistryChemistryGeographyPhysicsEngineering and TechnologyTelecommunicationsFood ProductionPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionDesignBiologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computerized maintenance management system CMMSKNMI TurboWinKongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck LogbookLog book softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentProcessing InformationTraining and Teaching OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDocumenting/Recording InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicWorking with ComputersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Mooring lines and basic knots — identify and handle under direct supervision when securing a vessel to a wharf during routine port operations.Barge inspection procedures — follow step-by-step checklists under crew supervision to check for visible damage or loose connections during a voyage.Pressure and temperature gauges — read and record basic readings into an engineering log under the guidance of a senior marine oiler.Ship engine components — recognize and name principal parts while assisting qualified officers during routine maintenance on a commercial vessel.Navigational lookout duties — stand bow or bridge-wing watch and report sighted obstructions or aids such as buoys to the officer on watch.Cargo transfer hoses and pumps — connect hoses to liquid cargo tanks under direct supervision following vessel safety protocols.Required maritime certifications — identify applicable government-issued credentials and complete mandatory initial training to meet regulatory requirements.Personal protective equipment and vessel safety gear — locate, don, and use correctly under instruction during onboard safety drills.Radio and verbal communication — receive and acknowledge basic operational instructions from bridge officers using standard marine terminology.Lubricant flow points — locate designated lubrication points on machinery and apply lubricant as directed by engineering officers during scheduled maintenance.
developing
Mooring and towing lines — handle and secure with reduced oversight, adapting line configuration to varying berth conditions and vessel sizes at commercial terminals.Barge tow unit assembly — connect and inspect barges into tow units for tugboat handling, identifying wear or damage independently before departure and on arrival.Pump operation for liquid cargo transfer — operate transfer pumps and monitor flow rates, adjusting valves to maintain safe transfer conditions aboard tank vessels.Engineering log data entry — record pressure, temperature, and operational data consistently and accurately using vessel log systems or digital interfaces during each watch.Engine room machinery checks — examine running machinery to verify specified pressures and lubricant flows, flagging anomalies to engineering officers without prompting.Government-issued certifications — maintain current required credentials, tracking renewal deadlines and completing recertification courses on schedule.Navigational watch performance — conduct lookout watches across varying visibility and weather conditions, communicating findings clearly to the officer of the watch.Basic engine maintenance tasks — carry out routine upkeep duties such as filter changes and belt inspections under engineering officer direction on large commercial ships.Troubleshooting minor deck equipment faults — identify common causes of line-handling or winch malfunctions and perform basic corrective actions during port turnarounds.Coordination with deck crew — communicate task progress and handoff responsibilities to fellow crew members during multi-person mooring and cargo operations.
proficient
Tow unit rigging and barge management — independently assemble, inspect, and disconnect multi-barge tow configurations to tugboat specifications across diverse waterway conditions.Liquid cargo pump systems — operate and monitor complex pump and valve arrangements for full cargo transfers, detecting and resolving irregularities without supervisory direction.Engine room monitoring across full watch — continuously track pressure, temperature, and mechanical readings on multiple systems, interpreting trends to anticipate potential equipment issues.Ship engine maintenance program — execute scheduled and corrective maintenance tasks autonomously, applying mechanical knowledge to maintain propulsion and auxiliary systems within operational tolerances.Non-routine machinery faults — diagnose and repair mechanical problems in engine room equipment during live operations, prioritizing actions to minimize vessel downtime.Certification compliance management — maintain all required government-issued credentials, advise crew on regulatory requirements, and ensure documentation is available for port inspections.Challenging navigational lookout conditions — perform reliable watchkeeping in restricted visibility, heavy traffic, or severe weather, applying critical judgment when reporting hazards to bridge command.Cargo and mooring safety quality control — conduct thorough pre- and post-operation checks of hoses, lines, and fittings, identifying deficiencies and initiating corrective action before they create risk.Cross-functional crew coordination — organize task sequencing with deck and engine room personnel during complex simultaneous operations such as docking while managing cargo transfer.Emergency response on deck — apply public safety knowledge and vessel emergency procedures to respond effectively to man-overboard, fire, or flooding incidents with limited supervision.
advanced
Vessel operations standards — establish and enforce crew protocols for mooring, cargo transfer, and engine maintenance that align with regulatory requirements and company safety goals across a fleet.Crew training and development — mentor junior sailors and marine oilers in watchkeeping, machinery operation, and seamanship, designing practical on-the-job instruction tailored to Job Zone 2 learners.Engineering system reliability program — lead preventive maintenance planning for propulsion and auxiliary systems, using log data and historical records to reduce unplanned breakdowns fleet-wide.Certification and compliance oversight — direct crew-wide credential tracking, coordinate training schedules with management, and serve as primary contact during government regulatory inspections.Operational risk assessment — evaluate voyage-specific hazards including weather, cargo characteristics, and waterway conditions, making and communicating decisions that protect crew and cargo.Barge and tow operational planning — direct assembly and routing of complex tow formations, integrating tugboat coordination and port requirements to optimize efficiency and safety.Cross-departmental coordination at organizational level — liaise between deck, engine room, port authority, and cargo stakeholders to align operations and resolve conflicts during high-pressure port calls.Quality control framework for marine operations — develop inspection checklists and performance benchmarks for cargo transfer, watchkeeping, and machinery checks, driving continuous improvement across the vessel or fleet.Technology and data systems adoption — lead crew adoption of facilities management software and digital log systems, ensuring accurate data entry practices that support engineering and compliance reporting.Organizational safety culture leadership — model and promote dependability, cautiousness, and stress tolerance across all crew ranks, shaping a vessel environment where safety concerns are raised and resolved proactively.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)Able SeamanAerographer's MateBarge HandBarge WorkerBargemanBoat Crew Deck HandBoat DeckhandBoat HandBoat LaborerBoat PersonBoatmanBoatswain's MateBosunBuoy TenderCabin WorkerCadetCaptain's AssistantCrew MemberCrewmanDeck CadetDeck HandDeck MateDeckhandDeckhand EngineerFerry HandFerrymanFloat TenderFloaterFloatmanHandymanLightermanLookoutMarine FirefighterMarine FiremanMarine OilerMarine TechnicianMarine Water TenderMariner