TransportationO*NET: 53-5031.00
Will AI Replace Ship Engineers?
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
83out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
83/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- â–¸Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- â–¸Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- â–¸Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- â–¸Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- â–¸Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- â–¸Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- â–¸Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- â–¸Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
- â–¸Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (7)
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
- Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
👤Requires Humans (5)
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
- Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
âš¡AI-Assisted (4)
- Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.
- Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
- Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
- Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
Key Skills Analysis
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Related Occupations
Future-Proof Your Career
Whether AI poses a high or low risk to your role, staying ahead means continuous learning. Explore courses to build AI-resistant skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Ship Engineers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 83/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research