People who have strengths in leadership, communication, and flexibility may be perfect candidates for becoming captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels.
These professionals work on ships, managing the operation of boats, ships, tugboats, and ferryboats as well as transporting goods and leading fishing expeditions and tour groups. They must safely steer boats on oceans, rivers, and lakes and through straits, harbors, and sounds.
Captains are responsible for setting courses, maintaining and inspecting vessels, measuring water depth, monitoring passengers and cargo during loading, reading maps and charts, signaling other ships, and managing crew members.
Pilots are in charge of setting courses, steering ships through reefs, shoals and rocks, reading charts, analyzing weather reports, and managing boat docking.
Mates do the hands-on work on a ships. They steer boats, using navigation equipment, manage the fueling, stocking, and repair of ships, and supervise crew members.
In general, employment opportunities for captains, mates and pilots of water vessels are expected to increase quickly. People pursuing this career must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Regardless of their sea background or experience, students can embark on a unique and enjoyable career as a captain, mate and pilot of water vessels in many locations.
What are you waiting for? Enroll today!