Ship and Boat Captains
Career Snapshot
Since prehistoric times, water transportation has been a vital aspect of civilisation. Today's vessels can be ultra-modern and high-tech, yet whether on a river excursion boat or an oil tanker at sea, a captain is in complete command. The captain, or master, commands the other officers and crew and is in charge of the ship's path and speed, as well as the engine, equipment, and logbook that record cargo and passenger movement.
It's demanding labour, with long hours and inclement weather. It can be perilous and isolated. Deep-sea captains may be on voyages that last several months. A desire to be on the open water is a good beginning point. Then comes years of planning.
The US Coast Guard licences captains of all types of water boats. The sort of licence required is determined by the craft. Formal training is provided at the United States Merchant Marine Academy or one of six state academies and includes a written exam, a physical exam, and drug testing. A graduate is a third officer who can advance to captaincy. Third officers may be promoted to higher ranks with extra training and experience.
Due to high competition, some officers may be forced to work at a lower grade than for which they are licenced until an adequate opportunity becomes available. There will be fierce competition for years to come, but there are some bright spots on the horizon, such as an increase in the number of cruise ships and excursion boats licenced in the United States.
Characteristics
Activities
Areas of Study
Degrees
Key Abilities
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Depth Perception
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Far Vision
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Oral Comprehension
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Oral Expression
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Problem Sensitivity
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Selective Attention
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Spatial Orientation
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Speech Clarity
Colleges
Top Skills