What Do Sailors and Marine Oilers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Sailors and Marine Oilers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Sailors and Marine Oilers relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores. They give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.

A typical day for a Sailor and Marine Oiler will also include:

• Maintain a ship’s engines under the direction of the ship’s engineering officers.
• 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.
• Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
• Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.

We asked some Sailors and Marine Oilers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	89% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	97% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	58% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	28% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	21% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Sailors and Marine Oilers also lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings. They may also stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Sailors and Marine Oilers Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels. They might also Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.

In addition, they Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Record data in ships’ logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

To some Sailors and Marine Oilers, it is also their responsibility to Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Sailor and Marine Oiler, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/water-transportation-occupations.htm

http://www.marad.dot.gov/

http://www.uscg.mil/

http://www.americanwaterways.com/