According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached. | 91% |
| Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks. | 89% |
| Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines. | 89% |
| Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs. | 85% |
| 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. | 84% |
| Maintain government-issued certifications, as required. | 84% |
| Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows. | 83% |
| Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers. | 82% |
| Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear. | 80% |
| Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings. | 80% |
| Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses. | 80% |
| Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses. | 79% |
| Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur. | 79% |
| Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores. | 77% |
| Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses. | 75% |
| Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls. | 74% |
| Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools. | 74% |
| Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels. | 71% |
| Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port. | 71% |
| Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines. | 71% |
| Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled. | 70% |
| Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery. | 69% |
| Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system. | 68% |
| Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships. | 67% |
| Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks. | 62% |
| Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges. | 57% |
| Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts. | 53% |
| Participate in shore patrols. | 50% |
