Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge
Overall Exposure
2025 vs 2023
Theoretical Exposure
44What AI could do
Observed Exposure
10What AI actually does
Automation Risk Score
14Displacement risk
3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)
Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.
Overall Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Theoretical Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Observed Exposure
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Automation Risk
2025 → 2028 (estimated)
Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)
Detailed Metrics Table
| Year | Overall | Theoretical | Observed | Risk | Data Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 40 | 8 | 12 | actual |
| 2025 | 25 | 44 | 10 | 14 | estimated |
| 2026 | 29 | 48 | 13 | 17 | estimated |
| 2027 | 33 | 52 | 16 | 20 | estimated |
| 2028 | 37 | 56 | 20 | 23 | estimated |
Task Breakdown
About This Occupation
If you work as a Mate on a ship, boat, or barge, AI is augmenting your navigation and documentation tasks. With an automation risk of 14/100 and overall exposure at 25%, this role faces low transformation. Compliance logging sees the highest automation at 55%. BLS projects -3% decline through 2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
With an automation risk score of 14%, Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.
The AI automation risk score for Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge is 14% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 25%, with 44% theoretical exposure and 10% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is 0 points.
The tasks with the highest automation potential for Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge are: Maintain vessel safety and regulatory compliance logs (55%), Monitor navigation instruments and charts (45%), Supervise crew during docking and cargo operations (12%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.
The BLS projects -3% employment change for Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 25%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.
Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Mates — Ship, Boat, and Barge should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.