A professional who fabricates and repairs equipment used in loading and unloading ships' cargoes. Respnsibilities include:

• Operates power sewing machine to patch and seam canvas hatch tents.
• Inserts grommets into and attaches ropes to tent.
• Cuts lumber into specified lengths and constructs cargo boards, using carpenter's handtools and power tools.
• Splices ropes and cables to make and repair slings and spreaders, using marlin spike and splicing vise.
• Replaces defective parts of scrapers and clamshells, using wrenches, punches, hammers, and chainfalls.
• Gathers information as to type of cargo, terminal facilities, and loading and unloading schedule to determine what gear is necessary to perform work.
• Transports gear to dock by truck.
• Installs cargo-handling equipment on deck of vessel.
• Transfers gear from vessel to vessel to obtain greater utilization.