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, where higher means 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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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