Job Definition

Command vessels in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

Interests

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Tasks

Interview and hire crew members.

Resolve questions or problems with customs officials.

Sort logs, form log booms, and salvage lost logs.

Collect fares from customers, or signal ferryboat helpers to collect fares.

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

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

Purchase supplies and equipment.

Assign watches and living quarters to crew members.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monitor the loading and discharging of cargo or passengers.

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

Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.

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

Compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds, by using charts, area plotting sheets, compasses, sextants, and knowledge of local conditions.

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

Skills

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Knowledge

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Education

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

School Classes

Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. - A program that prepares individuals to serve as captains, executive officers, engineers and ranking mates on commercially licensed inland, coastal and ocean-going vessels. Includes instruction in maritime traditions and law; maritime policy; economics and management of commercial marine operations; basic naval architecture and engineering; shipboard power systems engineering; crew supervision; and administrative procedures.

Commercial Fishing. - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to function as commercial fishermen, fishing operations supervisors or in related fishing industry operations. Includes instruction in fishing vessel operation; fishing equipment operation and maintenance; equipment repair; catch identification, sorting, and storage; safety procedures; record keeping; and applicable legal regulations.

Wages

In 2007, the California average annual wage was:

$31,694 for entry level workers, and $67,510 for experienced workers.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 2,000 people employed in this field in CA.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 2,200 employed in CA. This represents an increase of 20 new positions each year (1.00%). Additionally, 50 jobs per year will become available due to employee turnover.

Similar Occupations

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation - Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

Pilots, Ship - Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, and sounds, and on rivers, lakes, and bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.

Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge - Supervise and coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.

Sailors and Marine Oilers - Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels.

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters - Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight train. Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within yard of railroad, industrial plant, or similar location. Yardmasters coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains, yard switching, and review train schedules and switching orders.

Locomotive Engineers - Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer - Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 GVW, to transport and deliver goods, livestock, or materials in liquid, loose, or packaged form. May be required to unload truck. May require use of automated routing equipment. Requires commercial drivers' license.

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