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Job Definition
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.
Job Zone

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.

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.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Knowledge
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
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.
Skills
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Tasks
Determine geographical positions of ships, using lorans, azimuths of celestial bodies, or computers, and use this information to determine the course and speed of a ship.
Inspect equipment such as cargo-handling gear, lifesaving equipment, visual-signaling equipment, and fishing, towing, or dredging gear, in order to detect problems.
Observe loading and unloading of cargo and equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
Observe water from ships' mastheads in order to advise on navigational direction.
Steer vessels, utilizing navigational devices such as compasses and sextons, and navigational aids such as lighthouses and buoys.
Supervise crew members in the repair or replacement of defective gear and equipment.
Supervise crews in cleaning and maintaining decks, superstructures, and bridges.
Arrange for ships to be stocked, fueled, and repaired.
Assume command of vessels in the event that ships' masters become incapacitated.
Participate in activities related to maintenance of vessel security.
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
Wages

Data not available

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 2,000 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 2,200 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 50 replacement openings for approximately 70 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
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.
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.
Similar Occupations
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Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers - Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
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.
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.
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation - Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Freight and Cargo Inspectors - Inspect the handling, storage, and stowing of freight and cargoes.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators - Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
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