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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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