Captain / Mate / Pilots of Water Vessel

Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Boat Captain; Captain; Ferry Boat Captain; First Mate; Harbor Pilot; Mate; River Pilot; Ship Pilot; Tugboat Captain; Vessel Master

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.
• Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
• Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
• 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.
• Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• Public Safety and Security
• Mechanical
• Law and Government
• Geography
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training

Skills

• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Spatial Orientation
• Far Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Perceptual Speed
• Speech Recognition
• Written Expression
• Flexibility of Closure
• Manual Dexterity
• Depth Perception
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Time Sharing
• Multilimb Coordination
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time
• Glare Sensitivity
• Finger Dexterity
• Response Orientation
• Trunk Strength
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Auditory Attention
• Speed of Closure
• Extent Flexibility
• Visual Color Discrimination