Sailors and Marine Oilers
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 53-5011.00
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.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.14
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only28 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (7.1%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 4 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.O*NET Task ID 20935 | 1.0 |
Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.O*NET Task ID 14475 | 0.5 |
Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.O*NET Task ID 14457 | 0.0 |
Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.O*NET Task ID 14458 | 0.0 |
Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.O*NET Task ID 14459 | 0.0 |
Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.O*NET Task ID 14460 | 0.0 |
Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.O*NET Task ID 14461 | 0.0 |
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.O*NET Task ID 14462 | 0.0 |
Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.O*NET Task ID 14463 | 0.0 |
Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.O*NET Task ID 14464 | 0.0 |
Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.O*NET Task ID 14465 | 0.0 |
Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.O*NET Task ID 14467 | 0.0 |
Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.O*NET Task ID 14468 | 0.0 |
Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.O*NET Task ID 14469 | 0.0 |
Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.O*NET Task ID 14470 | 0.0 |
Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.O*NET Task ID 14471 | 0.0 |
Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.O*NET Task ID 14472 | 0.0 |
Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.O*NET Task ID 14473 | 0.0 |
Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.O*NET Task ID 14474 | 0.0 |
Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.O*NET Task ID 14476 | 0.0 |
Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.O*NET Task ID 14477 | 0.0 |
Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.O*NET Task ID 14479 | 0.0 |
Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.O*NET Task ID 14480 | 0.0 |
Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.O*NET Task ID 14481 | 0.0 |
Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.O*NET Task ID 14482 | 0.0 |
Participate in shore patrols.O*NET Task ID 14483 | 0.0 |
Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.O*NET Task ID 14484 | 0.0 |
Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.O*NET Task ID 20934 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (24)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Maintain government-issued certifications, as required. | Core |
| Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system. | Core |
| Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings. | Core |
| Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools. | Core |
| Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery. | Core |
| Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships. | Core |
| Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses. | Core |
| Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines. | Core |
| Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur. | Supplemental |
| Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses. | Supplemental |
| Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls. | Supplemental |
| Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear. | Supplemental |
| Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks. | Supplemental |
| Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs. | Supplemental |
| Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows. | Supplemental |
| Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges. | Supplemental |
| Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks. | Supplemental |
| Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers. | Supplemental |
| Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached. | Supplemental |
| Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts. | Supplemental |
| Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels. | Supplemental |
| Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled. | Supplemental |
0.83/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur. | E0 none |
| Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system. | E0 none |
| Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear. | E0 none |
| Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools. | E0 none |
| Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery. | E0 none |
| Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows. | E2 structured facilities |
| Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached. | E0 none |
| Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses. | E2 structured facilities |
| Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses. | E3 unstructured settings |
| Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls. | E0 none |
| Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges. | E3 unstructured settings |
| Participate in shore patrols. | E2 structured facilities |
| Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 33K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 34K
- Change (2025–35)
- +3.2%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $51,520
- Typical education needed for entry
- No formal educational credential
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87501 | 선박부원 | Same scope | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 8350Ships' Deck Crews and Related Workers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Ship’s deck crews and related workers carry out deck duties on board ships and similar duties on board other water-borne craft.
Tasks
- (a) standing look-out watches at sea and when entering or leaving harbour or other narrow waters;
- (b) steering ship according to instructions;
- (c) handling ropes and wires, and operates mooring equipment;
- (d) maintaining and, in some cases, operating ship’s equipment, cargo gear, rigging, lifesaving and firefighting appliances;
- (e) performing deck and hull cleaning, scraping, painting and other maintenance duties as required;
- (f) breaking out, rigging and stowing cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging and running gear.
Example occupations
Boatswain · Ferry hand · Sailor · Tug hand
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- boatswainESCO 8350.1This occupation is broader
Boatswains organise the crew on deck and at the fishing hold to execute the orders received from a superior. They coordinate the operations of maintenance, manoeuvres, assembly and repair of fishing gear and sorting, processing and preserving of the catches while observing the hygienic standards and established safety regulations.
- deck officerESCO 3152.1This occupation is broader
Deck officers or mates perform the watch duties on board of vessels like determining the course and speed, manoeuvring to avoid hazards, and continuously monitoring the vessels position using charts and navigational aids. They maintain logs and other records tracking the ship's movements. They ensure that the proper procedures and safety practices are followed, check that equipment is in good working order, and oversee the loading and discharging of cargo or passengers. They supervise crew members engaged in maintenance and the primary upkeep of the vessel.
- decksmanESCO 8350.2This occupation is broader
Decksmen are unlicensed members of of the deck department of an inland vessel. This position is usually the first step on the way to become an able seaman and beyond. They perform a variety of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck department areas, the engine, and other equipment, mooring and unmooring, as well as (to a certain extent) the steering of the ship.
- engine minderESCO 8350.3This occupation is broader
Engine minders perform work related to the deck department of an inland water transport vessel. They use their experience on-board a motorised inland navigation vessel as an ordinary crewmember and have a basic knowledge of engines.
- matroseESCO 8350.5This occupation is broader
Matroses are members of the deck department of an inland water transportship. They may work on the helm, on the deck, in the cargo hold and in the engine room. They may be called on to use emergency, lifesaving, damage control, and safety equipment. They perform all operations connected with the launching of lifesaving equipment and are expected to be able to operate deck machinery, mooring and anchoring equipment.
- ordinary seamanESCO 8350.6This occupation is broader
Ordinary seamen occupy the lowest rank of a maritime ship’s deck crew. They comprise the main labour force on board a boat where they help to operate the ship. They are supervised by the ship captain and the engineer, and can be given instructions by any individuals ranked above them.
- sailorESCO 8350.7This occupation is broader
Sailors assist the ship captain and any crew higher in hierarchy to operate ships. They dust and wax furniture and polish wood trim, sweep floors and decks, and polish brass and other metal parts. They inspect, repair, and maintain sails and rigging, and paint or varnish surfaces. They make emergency repairs to the auxiliary engine. Sailors may stow supplies and equipment and record data in log, such as weather conditions and distance travelled.
- boat riggerESCO 7215.2.1Overlapping, not the same
Boat riggers use hand and power tools to install motors, gauges, controls and accessories such as batteries, lights, fuel tanks and ignition switches. They also perform pre-delivery inspections.
- helmsmanESCO 3152.2Overlapping, not the same
Helmsmen are members of the crew on the highest rank of the operational level on an inland vessel. They perform a variety of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck department areas, the engine and other equipment, mooring and unmooring, as well as the steering of the ship as the main task.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| K1739 | Opérateur / Opératrice en navigation maritime sur navire militaire | This occupation is broader |
| K1741 | Maître de pont sur navire militaire | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N3102 | Matelot machine de la marine marchande | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N3103 | Matelot de la navigation fluviale | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N3109 | Matelot pont de la marine marchande | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N3114 | Lamaneur / Lamaneuse | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| N3116 | Agent / Agente de service général maritime | Related, not a match |
| N3118 | Bosco de la navigation maritime | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 8340 | Marineros de puente, marineros de máquinas y afines | Same scope |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 51132 | Berufe im technischen Schiffsverkehrsbetrieb - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Same scopeprovisional |
| 52422 | Schiffsführer/innen in Binnenschifffahrt und Hafenverkehr - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 633 | 甲板員，船舶技士 | Same scopeprovisional |
| 634 | 船舶機関員 | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources