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How exposed to AI is a Ship Engineer?

Of the 17 tasks O*NET lists for ship engineers, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 12 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
Barge EngineerEngineerFerry EngineerHarbor EngineerPort EngineerShip EngineerTowboat EngineerTug Boat EngineerVessel Engineer
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
17
tasks rated for this occupation
19%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 17
8k
people do this job in the US
24 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

5
  • Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff
  • Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations
  • Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks
  • Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies
  • Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently

Cannot be sped up

12
  • Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers
  • Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties
  • Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required
  • Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks
  • Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems
  • Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified
  • Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed
  • Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers
  • Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean
  • Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves
  • Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly
  • Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery
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.