Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
U.S. Workers
2,380
Median Salary
$51,880
10-Year Growth
+1.4%
Annual Openings
300
Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
17 of 17 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
AI: Fully automatable - Autopilot systems integrated with compasses and electronic navigation aids are mature and can reliably maintain desired courses.
Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
AI: Fully automatable - Autonomous and remote-control systems already operate engine throttles and steering for many vessels, enabling full automation of these control actions.
Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.
AI: Fully automatable - Full — arranging repairs, fuel, and supplies is mainly coordination, scheduling, and procurement work that AI systems and logistics platforms can fully automate.
Take depth soundings in turning basins.
AI: Fully automatable - Full — taking depth soundings is readily automated with echo sounders and AI processing, allowing real-time measurements and reporting in turning basins.
Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
AI: Fully automatable - Full — sensors and AI can detect navigational hazards and automatically generate and transmit reports to authorities via existing communication systems.
Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
AI: Fully automatable - Full — computing and issuing loading, unloading, and seating directions based on vessel constraints and sensor data can be fully automated by AI systems.
Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
AI: Partial - Automated checklists, sensors, and monitoring can enforce many safety procedures, but some procedural execution and judgment calls still require humans.
Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
AI: Partial - AI can provide real-time guidance and coordination during emergencies, but directing dynamic, high-stakes safety operations that require leadership and nuanced judgment remains primarily a human role.
Oversee operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.
AI: Partial - While autonomous ferries and monitoring systems can manage many operational tasks, comprehensive oversight including passenger management, regulatory compliance, and complex situational decisions is not fully automatable in 2025.
Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
AI: Partial - Partial — autonomous docking tech exists but physically handling mooring lines and responding to highly variable conditions still requires human/manual action in most real-world cases.
Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
AI: Partial - Partial — AI can guide diagnosis and some robotic systems can assist, but hands-on mechanical servicing like changing oil and detailed lubrication typically require human dexterity and inspection.
Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
AI: Partial - Partial — inspection, monitoring, and scheduling of maintenance can be automated, but most physical upkeep and replacements of those items remain manual.
Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
AI: Partial - Partial — AI can plan and issue tasking, but real-time leadership, conflict resolution, and legal/responsibility considerations generally require human direction.
Clean boats and repair hulls and superstructures, using hand tools, paint, and brushes.
AI: Partial - Partial — automated cleaning and some repair robots exist in limited contexts, but most hull/superstructure repairs with hand tools, paint, and brushes remain manual work.
Tow, push, or guide other boats, barges, logs, or rafts.
AI: Partial - Partial — autonomous tug and guidance systems are emerging and can assist or perform simple tows, but complex towing/pushing in dynamic conditions still requires human oversight and control.
Perform general labor duties such as repairing booms.
AI: Partial - Repairing booms requires hands-on physical work and dexterous manipulation beyond widespread robotic deployment, though AI can assist with diagnostics and step-by-step guidance.
Position booms around docked ships.
AI: Partial - Autonomous and remotely operated small craft can assist with boom positioning, but complex docking conditions and fine manipulation still typically require human judgment and intervention.