Boat, Ships Captain or Pilot
Other Titles
Boat Captain, Boat Operator, Captain, Charter Boat Captain, Ferry Boat Captain, Relief Captain, Ship Captain
Command vessels in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.
Captain and Pilots of Water Vessels are responsible for a wide range of activities related to supervising and commanding operations of various water vessels. In this role, they directly operate vessel steering equipment and also coordinate the activities of other workers operating the equipment. They also keep an eye on the weather conditions and make sure that the navigation of the vessels is planned accordingly. A part of their job is to make sure that the operation and other aspects of a water vessel conform to the applicable regulations. They also plan and conduct safety drills to make sure that the crew is well-prepared.
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.
Adjust navigation according to weather conditions.
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.
Conduct safety drills with crew.
Compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds, using charts, area plotting sheets, compasses, sextants, and knowledge of local conditions.
Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
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.
Monitor the loading or discharging of cargo or passengers.
Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
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.
Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
Purchase supplies or equipment.
Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.
Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.
Collect fares from customers or signal ferryboat helpers to collect fares.
Resolve questions or problems with customs officials.
Sort logs, form log booms, or salvage lost logs.
Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.
Interview and hire crew members.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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.
Management of Personnel Resources→ Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Instructing→ Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Persuasion→ Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment→ Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
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.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment→ Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical principles.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Assisting and Caring for Others→ Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Performing Administrative Activities→ Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources→ Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others→ Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Operate ships or other watercraft.
Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
Direct emergency management activities.
Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Determine geographic coordinates.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
Maintain watercraft engines or machinery.
Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
Monitor loading processes to ensure they are performed properly.
Record operational details of travel.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Direct material handling or moving activities.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Collect fares or payment from customers.
Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.
Sort materials or objects for processing or transport.
Acquire supplies or equipment.
Recommend personnel decisions or human resources activities.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Spatial Orientation→ The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.
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.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
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.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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).
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glare Sensitivity→ The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting.
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.
Response Orientation→ The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
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.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas→ The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Originality→ The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
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.
Speed of Closure→ The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Hearing Sensitivity→ The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Peripheral Vision→ The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
Transportation→ 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→ 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.
Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Computer aided design CAD software -- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Autodesk Revit; Autodesk AutoCAD;
Database user interface and query software -- e-logbook software; Log book software
Electronic mail software -- e.g., Mozilla Thunderbird; Google Gmail; IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook
Facilities management software -- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office; Google Workspace; Apache OpenOffice.org
Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Apple iWork Keynote; Corel Presentations; Microsoft PowerPoint
Route navigation software -- Marine navigation software
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel; Google Sheets
Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word; Google Docs
Alarm systems→ Fire alarm switches; Ship alarm systems
Bench vises→ Workshop vises
Binoculars→ Surveillance binoculars
Bolt cutters
Bridge cranes→ Electric deck cranes; Grabbing cranes; Hydraulic deck cranes
Centrifugal pumps→ Centrifugal cargo pumps
Cinch rescue loops→ Rescue slings
Claw hammer→ Claw hammers
Compasses→ Dividers
Depth gauges→ Echo sounders; Sounding rods
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; 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
Locking pliers→ Locking jaw pliers
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 light controls
Open end wrenches→ Crescent wrenches
Personal computers
Pipe wrenches
Plotter printers→ Parallel plotters
Punches or nail sets or drifts→ Hand punches
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
Sharpening stones or tools or kits→ Sharpening steels
Slings→ Lifting slings
Sonars→ Fathometer sonar equipment
Spanner wrenches
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; Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS; Integrated bridge systems; Electronic chart display and information systems ECDIS; Long range navigation LORAN systems; Voyage management systems VMS; Steering control systems
Vehicular global positioning system GPS→ Differential global positioning systems DGPS; Global positioning systems GPS
Winches→ Mooring 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.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement→ 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→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.