Will AI Replace Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?

Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Purchase supplies or equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Interview and hire crew members.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Conduct safety drills such as man overboard or fire drills.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.