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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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