Ship and Boat Captains

Adjust navigation according to weather conditions.

AI: Fully automatable - Weather-routing algorithms and voyage-optimization systems are mature and can automatically adjust navigation and speeds based on weather data without continual human intervention.

Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.

AI: Fully automatable - Instrumentation and automated monitoring systems already read gauges and verify levels of fluids, pressures, and gases, with AI able to monitor and alert fully autonomously.

Compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds, using charts, area plotting sheets, compasses, sextants, and knowledge of local conditions.

AI: Fully automatable - Modern navigation systems (GPS, ECDIS), sensor integration, and route-planning algorithms can compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds automatically, effectively replacing manual plotting.

Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.

AI: Fully automatable - AI systems integrated with depth sounders and sonar can automatically measure, interpret, and log water depths, so this task can be fully automated.

Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.

AI: Fully automatable - Maintaining records (positions, logs, weather, personnel, cargo) is a data-management task that AI can ingest, synthesize, and update automatically, enabling full automation.

Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.

AI: Fully automatable - Electronic navigation and chart-plotting systems with AI can calculate sightings and follow contour lines automatically, allowing full automation of this task.

Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.

AI: Fully automatable - Arranging fueling, resupply, and repairs is logistical coordination that AI can handle end-to-end via integrated scheduling and vendor systems, enabling full automation.

Collect fares from customers or signal ferryboat helpers to collect fares.

AI: Fully automatable - Fully automatable: electronic ticketing, contactless payments, and automated signaling/announcements can replace manual fare collection and signaling to helpers.

Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.

AI: Fully automatable - Fully automatable: scheduling and allocation of watches and living quarters can be handled by optimization algorithms and crew-management software given constraints and rules.

Purchase supplies or equipment.

AI: Fully automatable - Purchasing supplies and equipment is a procurement process that AI systems can execute with supplier integration, approvals, and order management, so it can be fully automated.

Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.

AI: Partial - Autopilot, sensor fusion, and autonomous vessel systems can steer and operate vessels in many conditions, but complex, congested, or novel scenarios and regulatory limits still require human oversight.

Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.

AI: Partial - Autonomous docking technologies exist and can assist in many cases, but precise docking and undocking in narrow spaces or locks often still depend on human pilots, tugs, and local expertise.

Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.

AI: Partial - Computer vision, sensors, and analytics can automate many inspection tasks and fault detection, but comprehensive safety/regulatory inspections and complex assessments still require human expertise and certification.

Conduct safety drills with crew.

AI: Partial - AI can plan, schedule, simulate, and facilitate safety drills, but conducting live drills requires human leadership, training, real-time judgment, and authority to ensure crew performance.

Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.

AI: Partial - Autonomous towing and tug coordination exist in limited trials, but reliably towing and maneuvering barges across varied real-world conditions still requires human operators, so only partial automation is achievable by 2025.

Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.

AI: Partial - AI can handle electronic signaling (AIS, radios) and automate control of lights and horns, but nuanced signaling, flag use, and the legal/social judgments around passing maneuvers typically still require human involvement.

Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.

AI: Partial - AI can generate signals and instructions (visual/audio) to crew but real-time human coordination and safety-critical judgment in rigging actions still require human oversight, so only partial automation is feasible.

Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.

AI: Partial - AI can perform diagnostics, predictive maintenance scheduling, and guide repairs, but cannot physically perform most onboard maintenance and repairs autonomously, so this is partially automatable.

Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.

AI: Partial - Partially automatable: drones, satellites, and sensor networks can detect oil spills and support patrols, but human judgment and physical response/coordination are still often required.

Monitor the loading or discharging of cargo or passengers.

AI: Partial - AI can monitor loading/discharging with cameras and sensors and flag issues, but cannot fully assume responsibility for hands-on safety-critical decisions and interventions, so automation is partial.

Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.

AI: Partial - AI can coordinate schedules, issue commands, and optimize workflows, but directing human crews in complex, safety-critical operations still requires human leadership and accountability, so only partial automation is possible.

Resolve questions or problems with customs officials.

AI: Partial - Partially automatable: AI can prepare paperwork, translate, and advise on regulations, but resolving real-time disputes with customs officials typically requires human authority and negotiation.

Sort logs, form log booms, or salvage lost logs.

AI: Partial - Partially automatable: mechanized equipment and robotic systems can assist with sorting and boom formation, but complex salvage operations and on-site decisions generally need human coordination and dexterity.

Interview and hire crew members.

AI: Partial - Partially automatable: AI can do candidate screening and preliminary interviews, but final hiring decisions and nuanced interpersonal assessments remain predominantly human tasks.