Supervise and coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.
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
Arrange for ships to be stocked, fueled, and repaired.
Participate in activities related to maintenance of vessel security.
Inspect equipment such as cargo-handling gear, lifesaving equipment, visual-signaling equipment, and fishing, towing, or dredging gear, in order to detect problems.
Assume command of vessels in the event that ships' masters become incapacitated.
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.
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
Steer vessels, utilizing navigational devices such as compasses and sextons, and navigational aids such as lighthouses and buoys.
Observe water from ships' mastheads in order to advise on navigational direction.
Supervise crews in cleaning and maintaining decks, superstructures, and bridges.
Supervise crew members in the repair or replacement of defective gear and equipment.
Observe loading and unloading of cargo and equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
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.
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.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Knowledge
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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.
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.
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