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.
U.S. Workers
31,360
Median Salary
$49,610
10-Year Growth
+2.3%
Annual Openings
3,900
Typical entry: No formal educational credential
26 of 28 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.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
AI: Fully automatable - Pressure and temperature gauges can be read by sensors and automatically logged into engineering records by software systems.
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
AI: Fully automatable - With instrumented systems, AI can fully analyze sensor and gauge data to verify pressures and lubricant flows and flag anomalies remotely.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
AI: Fully automatable - Sensor fusion and autopilot monitoring systems can continuously compare heading to compass readings and verify course accuracy or alert operators.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
AI: Fully automatable - Autopilot and remote/automated steering systems driven by AI can steer ships to designated courses under officers' directions.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated signaling controllers can translate messages and actuate blinker lights or mechanical semaphores to relay specified visual signals between ships.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
AI: Fully automatable - Environmental and navigation sensors already auto-log weather and distance data and AI can populate ship logs reliably.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully provide diagnostic support, procedural guidance, parts identification, and real-time instructions to assist engineers in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
AI: Fully automatable - AI voice agents and digital command systems can reliably issue routine, unambiguous directions to crew cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
AI: Partial - Barge tying, periodic inspection, and decoupling require complex, contextual physical work and judgment that is only partially automatable as of 2025.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
AI: Partial - Pump operations can be automated, but physically attaching/detaching hoses and managing hazardous connections still need human skills and oversight.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
AI: Partial - Mooring and line handling are highly physical and situational tasks that can be assisted by equipment and remote systems but are not fully automatable yet.
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.
AI: Partial - Computer vision and sensors can augment lookouts by detecting obstacles and aids, but they do not fully replace human judgment in all maritime visibility and complexity conditions by 2025.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
AI: Partial - AI can support diagnostics, scheduling, and procedures for engine maintenance but cannot physically perform complex onboard maintenance tasks under officers' direction as of 2025.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
AI: Partial - Rigging and stowing cargo-handling and running gear require dexterous, context-aware seamanship and heavy physical work that only partial robotic solutions can assist with currently.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
AI: Partial - Automated lubrication systems and AI scheduling can handle many lubrication tasks, but manual lubrication and ad-hoc interventions remain common on ships in 2025.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
AI: Partial - Deck cleaning can be partially automated with robotic scrubbers and automated wash systems, but complex, oily, and dynamic shipboard conditions prevent full automation by 2025.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
AI: Partial - Winch control and lowering/raising of lifeboats can be automated, but thorough overhauls and detailed lifeboat gear maintenance still need human inspection and repair.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
AI: Partial - Splicing and repairing ropes and cables demand fine manual dexterity and situational judgment so AI/robots can only partially automate these tasks today.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
AI: Partial - Cameras, biometrics, and AI detection can monitor gangways and flag intrusions, but human judgment and physical intervention are typically required to prevent boarding.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
AI: Partial - Loading/unloading (especially containers and vehicles) has significant automation, but passenger handling, varying cargo types, and port-specific operations still require human oversight.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
AI: Partial - Rust chipping and surface cleaning can be aided by robotic tools, yet variable surfaces, confined spaces, and safety concerns mean the task is only partially automatable in 2025.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
AI: Partial - AI and remote systems can operate and diagnose winches/cranes and assist repairs, but complex maintenance and hands‑on repairs still require skilled human technicians.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
AI: Partial - Automated painting and spraying robots can handle many exterior surfaces, but variable shipboard access, masking, and fine finishing frequently require human workers.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
AI: Partial - Electronic depth sounders and automated reporting can supply depth information and communicate it to the bridge, but the manual leadline procedure and some nearshore nuances still rely on human action.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
AI: Partial - AI can control robotic cleaners for repetitive polishing in controlled settings but lacks the general dexterity, situational adaptability, and widespread deployment aboard ships to fully replace human labor by 2025.
Participate in shore patrols.
AI: Partial - AI can provide surveillance, pattern recognition, and decision support for shore patrols but cannot assume roles requiring human judgment, authority, interpersonal interaction, and use-of-force decisions.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
AI: Not automatable - Maintaining government-issued certifications requires a human holder and regulatory compliance that AI cannot satisfy on behalf of a person.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
AI: Not automatable - Lowering and manning lifeboats in emergencies requires human presence, crew coordination, and life‑saving judgment that AI cannot autonomously fulfill in 2025.