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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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