Ship and Boat Captains
Did You Know:*
- Some merchant mariners spend extended periods at sea; others operate boats close to port and go home at night.
- Entry, training and educational requirements for many water transportation occupations are established and regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Excellent job opportunities are expected, especially for marine officers.
Industry Areas
- Support Activities for Water Transportation
- Inland Water Transportation
- Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
- Compute positions, set courses, and determine speeds, using charts, area plotting sheets, compasses, sextants, and knowledge of local conditions.
- Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
Overall Kind of Work*
The movement of huge amounts of cargo, as well as passengers, in and out of U.S. waters and sometimes over the oceans, depends on workers in water transportation occupations, also known as merchan...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Water transportation workers' schedules vary based upon the type of ship and length of voyage. While on the water, crews are normally on duty for half of the day, seven days a week. Merchant marin...
Military
Ship and submarine officers work aboard their vessels. Engineering officers are subjected to hot, humid, and noisy environments. Submarine officers work in confined spaces for extended periods.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 8.15% (21-34 Hours)
- 50.65% (40 Hours)
- 41.21% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Ship and Boat Captains(53-5020)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People:
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills: 
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 63.88% (Private For-Profit)
- 2.37% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 3.21% (State and Local Govt)
- 16.09% (Federal Government)
- 14.45% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Ship And Boat Captains And Operators
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
566 Ship and Boat Captains in the military