Occupation · SOC 53-5021
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
Median wage
$85,540
$46,260–$164,230
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
35,390
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlSpeakingMonitoringActive ListeningCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingOperations MonitoringManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge areas
TransportationPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalLaw and GovernmentEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Operating system softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareFacilities management softwareRoute navigation softwareAnalytical or scientific software
Representative 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.Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.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.Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.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.Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.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.Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.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.Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.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.Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.Interview and hire crew members.Conduct safety drills such as man overboard or fire drills.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic navigation charts and compass bearings — identify and interpret under direct supervision during initial vessel orientation on inland waterways.Vessel speed and course adjustments — execute following explicit instructions from a licensed officer during supervised underway watches.Ship-to-shore radio protocols — practice standard communication formats under officer guidance during routine port operations.Depth finders and radar displays — recognize readings and report anomalies to the watch officer aboard a training vessel.Navigational buoys, lights, and lighthouses — identify and correlate to chart markings under supervision while standing a basic deck watch.Tidal tables and current charts — read and summarize basic data under the direction of a senior mate for pre-departure planning.Vessel docking lines and mooring equipment — handle and secure under direct oversight during supervised berth arrivals.Bridge watch duties — perform assigned tasks following posted safety protocols during specified watch periods on a commercial vessel.Weather reports and marine forecasts — retrieve and present to the watch officer as part of a pre-departure briefing routine.Personal protective and safety equipment — don and inspect according to established checklists under supervision before each watch period.
developing
Vessel course and speed settings — determine and adjust routinely using radar, GPS, and local current knowledge on familiar coastal or river routes.Navigational hazard assessments — evaluate water depths, tidal conditions, and channel markers with reduced oversight during standard underway passages.Ship-to-shore radio communications — conduct independently to exchange operational information with port authorities and vessel traffic services.Docking and undocking maneuvers — execute in routine berthing situations, including single-lane approaches, with minimal guidance from senior officers.Bridge watch responsibilities — manage alone during assigned watch periods, monitoring instruments and crew activity on scheduled commercial runs.Route navigation software and electronic chart systems — operate to plan and update vessel tracks during routine coastal or harbor transits.Unsafe vessel operations — recognize and halt promptly by applying standing safety regulations and company procedures without awaiting direction.Crew coordination during watch transitions — brief relieving officers thoroughly on vessel status, traffic, and hazards to maintain operational continuity.Mechanical and equipment irregularities — detect through systematic instrument monitoring and initiate corrective action or escalation as appropriate.Passage plans — prepare using charts, weather reports, and tide tables for familiar routes, adapting for seasonal or tidal variations independently.
proficient
Complex vessel movements — direct course, speed, and heading autonomously in challenging conditions including fog, strong currents, and confined waterways.Docking master duties — assume full authority upon port arrival, coordinating tugs, line handlers, and harbor pilots to berth vessels safely.Non-routine navigation decisions — apply critical thinking and local environmental knowledge to resolve unexpected hazards such as equipment failures or sudden weather changes.Lock and narrow-channel transits — maneuver vessels precisely through restricted passages, calculating clearances and current effects without assistance.Full voyage watch standing — manage all bridge functions across an entire underway passage, integrating radar, depth finders, and AIS data continuously.Emergency and safety interventions — lead crew response to collision risk, grounding, or flooding situations using established protocols and independent judgment.Crew performance monitoring — evaluate watchstanders' situational awareness and decision-making quality, providing immediate corrective feedback during operations.Regulatory compliance across jurisdictions — interpret and apply maritime law, port regulations, and flag-state requirements throughout multi-port voyages.Analytical and scientific software tools — use to assess voyage data, fuel consumption trends, and weather routing options to optimize operational efficiency.Incident and voyage documentation — produce accurate written logs, reports, and after-action records meeting company and regulatory standards independently.
advanced
Fleet navigation standards — establish and enforce vessel-handling policies and watch-standing procedures across multiple vessels or an entire operating division.Organizational safety culture — lead systematic hazard identification, near-miss review, and continuous improvement programs at the company or port-authority level.Junior officer development — design and deliver structured training programs covering navigation, emergency response, and regulatory compliance for apprentice and mid-level mariners.Strategic route and scheduling decisions — direct route optimization, seasonal deployment planning, and fuel management strategies affecting organizational efficiency and cost.Senior docking and pilotage authority — serve as chief docking master or designated port representative, setting berthing standards and resolving complex maneuvering disputes.Inter-agency coordination — represent the vessel operator with port authorities, coast guard officials, and harbor masters to negotiate operational and regulatory requirements.Technology adoption leadership — evaluate and implement new navigation systems, route software, and bridge automation tools to advance fleet capability organization-wide.Crisis command authority — assume incident command during major emergencies such as grounding, fire, or search and rescue, directing multi-vessel or multi-agency responses.Workforce resource management — allocate crew assignments, manage certification compliance, and plan staffing rotations to sustain 24-hour vessel operations at organizational scale.Policy and regulatory influence — contribute expert testimony, comment on proposed maritime regulations, and develop internal governance frameworks aligned with evolving international maritime standards.
Also known as
233 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ferryboat OperatorCanal Boat OperatorScow CaptainBoatswainState PilotFishing Vessel CaptainSailing OfficerAerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Tugboat PilotSailing MasterMarine SuperintendentSpecial Warfare Boat Operator (Navy SB)Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)River CaptainAerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Harbor Boat PilotHealth Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Boatswain's MateAerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Second OfficerHealth Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Boat OperatorThird OfficerRiver Boat CaptainCar Ferry MasterShip Harbor PilotDocking PilotHospital Corpsman (Navy HM)Barge MasterSeaman (Navy SN)Fishing Vessel MateDerrick Boat CaptainSteamboat CaptainSkipperPararescue Journeyman (Air Force 1Z151)