Jobs / Physical work / 53-5021.00

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.

US jobs
36,850
Median wage
$92,460 a year
Job family
Physical work

Can agents do the work of captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels?

We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Physical work:

  • Task levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
  • Project levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.

Unexplored territory

No benchmark in this atlas covers this work yet.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)

Boat Captain · Captain · Ferry Boat Captain · First Mate · Harbor Pilot · Mate · River Pilot · Ship Pilot · Tugboat Captain · Vessel Master · Able Bodied Seaman (AB Seaman) · Able Bodied Tankerman (AB Tankerman) · Area Relief Pilot · Bar Pilot · Barge Captain · Barge Master · Barge Mate · Barge Pilot · Boat Master · Boat Mate · Boat Operator · Boat Pilot · Boatswain · Boatswain's Mate · Canal Boat Captain · Canal Boat Operator · Canal Driver · Car Ferry Captain · Car Ferry Master · Charter Boat Captain · Coastal Tug Mate · Command Pilot · Deck Officer · Deep Submergence Vehicle Operator (DSV Operator) · Derrick Boat Captain · Dock Master · Docking Pilot · Dredge Captain · Dredge Mate · Ferry Captain · Ferry Pilot · Ferryboat Captain · Ferryboat Operator · Ferryboat Pilot · First Officer · Fishing Vessel Captain · Fishing Vessel Mate · Fourth Mate · Fourth Officer · Harbor Boat Pilot · Harbor Tug Captain · Lighter Captain · Line Pilot · Marine Pilot · Marine Superintendent · Maritime Officer · Maritime Pilot · Master Mariner · Master Pilot · Navigation Officer · Navigation Watch Officer · Navigator · Officer · Oil Tanker Captain · Passenger Barge Master · Pilot · Pilot Captain · Port Captain · Relief Captain · Relief Docking Master · Relief Master · Relief Mate · Relief Pilot · River Boat Captain · River Captain · Riverboat Master · Sailboat Captain · Sailing Master · Sailing Officer · School Boat Driver