Will “Bosun” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Bosun” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #461 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-5011.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 46,170.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 22.00
Currently, there are 32,530 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Sailors and Marine Oilers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Bosun”

Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
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.
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
Participate in shore patrols.
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

Related Technology & Tools

Hydraulic windlasses
Mechanical telegraphs
Lifeboat davits
Carbon dioxide CO2 firefighting systems
Radar navigation systems
Lifeboats
Semaphores
Hydraulic mooring winches
Magnet hoists
Safety lanyards
Crescent wrenches
Ship anchor chocks
Grease dispensing guns
Hydraulic deck cranes
Galvanized thimbles
Sharpening steels
Riding pawls
Natural fiber mooring ropes
Tank level gauges
Electric deck cranes
Life rings
Centrifugal cargo pumps
Welders
Blinker lights
Cargo hooks
Gear pumps
Lifting slings
Signal flags
Voice pipes
Engine room alarm systems
Air chippers
Safety helmets
Thermal protective aids TPA
Foam firefighting systems
Life jackets
Sounding tapes
Pipe wrenches
Radio direction finders RDF
Ship alarm systems
Bridge telephones
Cargo booms
Lifting spreaders
Electric mooring winches
Ratchet sets
Pilot ladders
Reciprocating pumps
Forklifts
Locking jaw pliers
Emergency generators
Mooring chains
Explosimeters
Life buoys
Workshop vises
Sewing needles
Claw hammers
Electric windlasses
Personal computers
Respirators
Electric telegraphs
Mooring cables
Hydraulic capstans
Steam winches
Anti-exposure coveralls
Magnetic compasses
Oil dispensing cans
Sounding rods
Chipping hammers
Centrifugal ventilators
Bolt cutters
Pyrotechnic distress signals
Two way radios
Chain cargo falls
Safety belts
Filter masks
Portable fire extinguishers
Cargo derricks
Fids
Hand windlasses
Wire cutters
Wire splicers
Gyrocompasses
Portable gas detectors
Emergency position-indicating radio beacons
Container lift trucks
Spanner wrenches
Safety glasses
Desktop computers
Fire hoses
Hand punches
Hand capstans
Bilge pumping systems
Liquid cargo transfer hoses
Grabbing cranes
Manual winches
Sheave blocks
Synthetic mooring ropes
Metal chisels

Log book software
Microsoft Windows
KNMI TurboWin
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Microsoft Word
Kongsberg Maritime K-Log Deck Logbook