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What Does it Take to Be a Sailor or Marine Oiler?
Job 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. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.
Daily Life Of a Sailor or Marine Oiler
- Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
- Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
- Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
- Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
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Skills Needed to be a Sailor or Marine Oiler
Sailors and Marine Oilers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Types of Sailor or Marine Oiler Jobs
- Deckhand Engineer
- Bargeman
- Crewman
- Float Tender
- Steerer
Are There Job Opportunities for Sailors and Marine Oilers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 33,800 jobs in the United States for Sailor or Marine Oiler. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,600 new jobs for Sailor or Marine Oiler by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Sailor or Marine Oiler are Idaho, Tennessee, and Minnesota. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Sailors and Marine Oilers Salary
The typical yearly salary for Sailors and Marine Oilers is somewhere between $23,880 and $72,510.
Sailors and Marine Oilers who work in Michigan, Minnesota, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sailors and Marine Oilers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,890 |
| Alaska | $43,120 |
| Arkansas | $31,810 |
| California | $44,960 |
| Connecticut | $42,040 |
| Delaware | $40,140 |
| Florida | $64,300 |
| Georgia | $34,040 |
| Hawaii | $39,550 |
| Illinois | $48,060 |
| Iowa | $36,740 |
| Kentucky | $40,640 |
| Louisiana | $46,430 |
| Maine | $32,450 |
| Maryland | $50,110 |
| Massachusetts | $36,190 |
| Michigan | $53,450 |
| Minnesota | $52,430 |
| Mississippi | $39,890 |
| Missouri | $50,720 |
| New Jersey | $36,750 |
| New York | $48,740 |
| North Carolina | $33,020 |
| Ohio | $40,070 |
| Oregon | $50,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,960 |
| South Carolina | $35,270 |
| Tennessee | $31,110 |
| Texas | $40,210 |
| Virginia | $44,060 |
| Washington | $51,720 |
| West Virginia | $48,770 |
| Wisconsin | $45,370 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sailors and Marine Oilers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sailors and Marine Oilers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Log book software
- KNMI TurboWin
How do I Become a Sailor or Marine Oiler?
What kind of Sailor or Marine Oiler requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Sailor or Marine Oiler?
Where do Sailors and Marine Oilers Work?
Sailors and Marine Oilers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Sailor or Marine Oiler might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Sailor or Marine Oiler sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.