Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

How AI is changing captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels work

1 of 25 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use so far) — 4% when main tasks are weighted. This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.

Tasks in this job and recorded AI use

• Maintain records of daily activities, staff reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Inspect vessels to make sure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Maintain boats or equipment on board (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to make sure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models (main task) — no recorded AI use
• 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Purchase supplies or equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations — no recorded AI use
• Perform various marine duties — no recorded AI use
• Assign watches or living quarters to crew members — no recorded AI use
• Interview and hire crew members — no recorded AI use
• Conduct safety drills such as man overboard or fire drills — no recorded AI use

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

1. Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
2. Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Maintain records of daily activities, staff reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status”.
3. Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.

Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.

Questions about AI and captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

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