Captains, Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels

At a Glance

Median Salary
$72,445

Local Jobs
212

Entry-Level Education
Certification

Occupation Profile

Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses. Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks. Adjust navigation according to weather conditions. Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations. Conduct safety drills with crew.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$72,445

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

212

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Certification

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
Serve as a vessel’s docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
Advise ships’ masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
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.
Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.
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.
Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.
Purchase supplies or equipment.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Captains, Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels?

Hard Skills

Firefighting
Inventory Management System
Invoicing
Logistics
Operations Management
Project Management Software
Public Relations
Sales Prospecting
SAP Applications
Truck Driving

Soft Skills

Communications
Detail Oriented
Interpersonal Communications
Lifting Ability
Loading And Unloading
Management
Operations
Positivity
Self-Motivation
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

No data was found

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