Boat, Barge or Ship Mate
Other Titles
First Officer; Deck Engineer, Deckhand, First Mate, Relief Master, Relief Mate, Vessel Master
Supervise or coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges. Boat, Barge or Ship Mates refer to such workers who oversee and coordinate the activities of various workers on board ships, boats and barges. In this role, they operate on-board instrumentation and equipment to steer, navigate and control the vessels. They also use various tools to determine the location of a ship as well as its speed and direction. A part of their job is to routinely inspect different pieces of equipment on the vessels. Such equipment includes lifesaving gear, dredging equipment as well as signaling equipment. They also oversee other workers performing repair and maintenance tasks.
Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
Assume command of vessels in the event that ships' masters become incapacitated.
Steer vessels, using navigational devices, such as compasses or sextants, or navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys.
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, or fishing, towing, or dredging gear, to detect problems.
Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
Participate in activities related to maintenance of vessel security.
Arrange for ships to be stocked, fueled, or repaired.
Supervise crew members in the repair or replacement of defective gear or equipment.
Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.
Observe water from ships' mastheads to advise on navigational direction.
Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Instructing→ Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Management of Personnel Resources→ Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment→ Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Controlling Machines and Processes→ Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Performing General Physical Activities→ Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment→ Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic principles.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing Administrative Activities→ Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Adjust routes or speeds as necessary.
Determine geographic coordinates.
Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity→ 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.
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Depth Perception→ 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.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Perceptual Speed→ The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Multilimb Coordination→ The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Reaction Time→ The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Spatial Orientation→ The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Time Sharing→ The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Auditory Attention→ The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Glare Sensitivity→ The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting.
Hearing Sensitivity→ The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Rate Control→ The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Transportation→ Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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.
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.
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 and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Alarm systems→ Fire alarm switches; Ship alarm systems
Anchor chocks→ Ship anchor chocks
Anchor lines→ Mooring cables; Mooring chains; Natural fiber mooring ropes; Synthetic mooring ropes
Anchor rollers→ Electric windlasses; Hand capstans; Hand windlasses; Hydraulic capstans; Hydraulic windlasses
Binoculars→ Surveillance binoculars
Blocks or pulleys→ Sheave blocks
Bridge cranes→ Electric deck cranes; Grabbing cranes; Hydraulic deck cranes
Centrifugal pumps→ Centrifugal cargo pumps
Cinch rescue loops→ Rescue slings
Compasses→ Dividers
Depth gauges→ Echo sounders; Sounding rods; Sounding tapes
Desktop computers
Direction finding compasses→ Magnetic compasses; Navigational compasses
Emergency medical services first aid kits→ First aid kits
Fall protection lanyard→ Safety lanyards
Fire extinguishers→ Portable carbon dioxide fire extinguishers; Portable dry chemical fire extinguishers; Portable water fire extinguishers
Fire pump sets→ Emergency fire pumps
Fire retardant apparel→ Firefighting suits
Fire suppression system→ Carbon dioxide CO2 fire extinguishing systems; Carbon dioxide CO2 flooding systems; Foam fire extinguishing systems
Flares→ Pyrotechnic distress signals
Gas generators→ Emergency generators
Gear pumps
Gyroscopic instruments→ Gyrocompasses
Hoists→ Cargo derricks; Chain cargo falls; Magnet hoists
Insulated clothing for cold environments→ Thermal protective aids TPA
Insulated or flotation suits→ Immersion suits
Ladders→ Pilot ladders
Life rings→ Life buoys
Life vests or preservers→ Life vests
Lifeboats or liferafts→ Life rafts; Totally enclosed motor propelled survival craft TEMPSC
Lifts→ Lifeboat davits
Loading equipment→ Container lift trucks; Lifting spreaders
Marine craft communications systems→ Bridge to bridge radiotelephones; High frequency HF radiotelephone systems; Ultra high frequency UHF radiotelephone systems; Very high frequency VHF radiotelephone systems; Voice pipes
Marine signaling systems→ Semaphores; Ship's whistles; Signal flags; Signal lights
Personal computers
Plotter printers→ Parallel plotters
Radio navigation instruments→ Radio direction finders RDF
Respirators
Rope float lines→ Line throwing appliances
Rotary pumps→ Rotary displacement pumps
Safety glasses
Safety harnesses or belts→ Safety belts
Safety helmets
Screw Pumps→ Screw displacement pumps
Sextants
Slings→ Lifting slings
Sonars→ Fathometer sonar equipment
Straight edges→ Parallel rules
Telegraph sounders→ Electric telegraphs; Mechanical telegraphs
Triangles→ Drafting triangles
Vehicle navigation systems→ Automatic radar plotting aids ARPA; Dynamic positioning DP systems; Electronic chart display and information systems ECDIS; Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS; Integrated bridge systems; Long range navigation LORAN systems; Steering control systems
Vehicular global positioning system GPS→ Differential global positioning systems DGPS; Global positioning systems GPS
Winches→ Electric mooring winches; Hydraulic mooring winches; Manual winches; Steam winches
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.
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.
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.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Independence→ 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.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition→ 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.
Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.