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Ship and Boat Captains - 53-5021.01

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Captain
  • Boat Operator
  • Charter Boat Captain
  • Ferry Boat Captain
  • Harbor Tug Captain
  • Tow Boat Captain
  • Tug Captain
  • Relief Captain
  • Ship Captain
  • Tugboat Captain

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
  • Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.
  • Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
  • Collect fares from customers or signal ferryboat helpers to collect fares.
  • Compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds, using charts, area plotting sheets, compasses, sextants, and knowledge of local conditions.
  • 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.
  • Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
  • Interview and hire crew members.
  • Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
  • 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.
  • Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
  • Monitor the loading or discharging of cargo or passengers.
  • Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.
  • Purchase supplies or equipment.
  • Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
  • Resolve questions or problems with customs officials.
  • Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
  • Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
  • Sort logs, form log booms, or salvage lost logs.
  • Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
  • Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adhere to safety procedures
  • calculate sighting of land using chart or sounding devices
  • captain water vessels
  • collect payment
  • compute position, set course, or determine speed of vessel
  • conduct training for personnel
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
  • identify positions of celestial bodies for navigational purposes
  • inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
  • inspect transportation equipment for damage or defects
  • interview job applicants
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • maintain repair records
  • measure water depth
  • monitor equipment or machine operation to detect problems
  • monitor sonar or navigational aids
  • operate boat or towing equipment
  • operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
  • operate navigation technology or equipment
  • order helmsperson to steer vessel
  • order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
  • oversee execution of organizational or program policies
  • oversee marine cargo handling
  • perform safety inspections in transportation setting
  • prepare reports
  • prepare safety reports
  • read maps
  • read navigation charts
  • recognize reefs, shoals, or other hazards by navigation aids
  • schedule employee work hours
  • signal directions or warnings to coworkers
  • stand watch on vessel
  • steer boat or ship
  • supervise crew aboard ship
  • understand admiralty law
  • use established traffic or transportation procedures
  • use knowledge of seamanship or boat handling
  • use knowledge of tides and currents
  • use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
  • use two-way radio or mobile phone

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Boatswain's Mate Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Causeway Lighterage Craftmaster (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Commanding Officer, Afloat (Captain) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Commanding Officer, Afloat (Commander) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Commanding Officer, Afloat (Lieutenant Commander) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Commanding Officer, Afloat (Lieutenant) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Commanding Officer, Afloat (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Deep Submergence Vehicle Operator (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Landing Craft Utility Craftsmaster (Navy - Enlisted)
  • LCAC Loadmaster (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Marine Deck Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Officer in Charge, Afloat (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Officer in Charge, Combat Craft (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Tugmaster (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Barge Captain
  • Captain, Fishing Vessel
  • Deep Submergence Vehicle Operator
  • Derrick-Boat Captain
  • Dredge Captain
  • Ferryboat Captain
  • Ferryboat Operator
  • Master, Passenger Barge
  • Master, Riverboat
  • Master, Ship
  • Master, Yacht
  • Tugboat Captain