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
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.
Status
What is the difference between enlisted and officer?
Enlisted:Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.
Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
Officer
Enlisted
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
599 Ship and Boat Captains in the military
Service Branches
Ship and Submarine Officers work in the following services:
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
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People:
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
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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:
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Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
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