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>Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $36K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $51K
Median Salary: $77K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $108K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $153K
Demand
Core 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.
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
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.
Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.
Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.
Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.
Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.
Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.
Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.
Purchase supplies or equipment.
Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.
Interview and hire crew members.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Transportation
84%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Public Safety and Security
77%
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.
Law and Government
70%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mechanical
68%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
67%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography
66%
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.
Education and Training
65%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administration and Management
64%
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.
Customer and Personal Service
62%
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.
Telecommunications
59%
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Top 10 Skills
Operation and Control
81%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring
79%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening
77%
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
77%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
75%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
75%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
72%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
71%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination
71%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Time Management
68%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Top 10 Abilities
Far Vision
80%
The ability to see details at a distance.
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
80%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Control Precision
79%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
77%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Selective Attention
76%
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Depth Perception
75%
The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Spatial Orientation
75%
The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Speech Clarity
74%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Top 10 Work Activities
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
90%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
87%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
85%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
85%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
83%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
82%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Controlling Machines and Processes
80%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
78%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
77%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Training and Teaching Others
76%
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Detailed Work Activities
Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Read maps to determine routes.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
Assist others during emergencies.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Maintain watercraft engines or machinery.
Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Record operational details of travel.
Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
Determine geographic coordinates.
Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Direct material handling or moving activities.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Acquire supplies or equipment.
Recommend personnel decisions or human resources activities.
Provide safety training.
Interests
Realistic
91%
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
85%
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
64%
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.
Investigative
46%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
31%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
92%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Leadership
89%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self Control
88%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
87%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attention to Detail
83%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence
83%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
83%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
81%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Adaptability/Flexibility
80%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Integrity
80%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Work Values
Independence
83%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Support
70%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
65%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
65%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
61%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
