California CareerZone

Job Definition: 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.

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: Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.; Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures, through the use of instruction, simulators, and models.; Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.; Provide assistance to vessels approaching or leaving seacoasts, navigating harbors, and docking and undocking.; Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.; Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.; Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port and when at a berth.; Maintain ship logs.; Give directions to crew members who are steering ships.; Consult maps, charts, weather reports, and navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.; Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.; Steer ships into and out of berths, or signal tugboat captains to berth and unberth ships.; Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.; Set ships' courses that avoid reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards, utilizing navigational aids such as lighthouses and buoys.; Make nautical maps.; Maintain and repair boats and equipment.; Relieve crew members on tugs and launches.; Oversee cargo storage on or below decks.

Skills: Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.; 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.; Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.; 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.; 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.; Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

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.

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: Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge - Supervise and coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.; Ship and Boat Captains - Command vessels in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.; 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.; 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.; 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.