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How exposed to AI is a Sailors and Marine Oiler?

Of the 28 tasks O*NET lists for sailors and marine oilers, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 27 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)Able Bodied Watchman (AB Watchman)Able SeamanBoat Crew Deck HandBosunDeck HandDeckhandDeckhand EngineerOilerTankerman
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
28
tasks rated for this occupation
1%
hold a degree, from a survey of 27
27k
people do this job in the US
48 of 52
least protected in transport

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

1
  • Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled

Cannot be sped up

27
  • Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached
  • Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks
  • Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines
  • Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs
  • 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
  • Maintain government-issued certifications, as required
  • Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows
  • Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers
  • Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear
  • Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings
  • Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur
  • Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses
  • Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools
  • Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels
  • Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines
  • Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery
  • Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system
  • Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships
  • Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks
  • Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses
  • Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses
  • Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores
  • Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls
  • Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port
  • Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges
  • Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts
  • Participate in shore patrols
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.