Captains, Mates, and Pilots for Water Vessels

Job Details

Sector(s)

Project Development; Construction; Operations and Maintenance

Median Pay

$81,640 per year

$39.25 per hour

Job Type

Mid- to Advanced Level

Typical Entry-Level
Education and Work
Experience
Requirements

Educational requirements vary; three years of on-the-job training typically required.

Sub-Category Roles:

Boat captain, tugboat captain, pilot, and mate.

Brief Job Description

Captains, mates, and pilots work on ships and smaller water vessels in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Captains command the vessel and crew, steer the vessel, and ensure the safety of all crew members and passengers on the vessel. Mates report to captains and higher-ranking mates and supervise crew members to operate the vessel effectively. Pilots work with captains, mates, and other water transportation workers to steer vessels into and out of harbors.

Education and Training Level Description

The education and training requirements vary by job type (captains, mates, and pilots) as well as the type and size of the vessel (large ships, sailboats, tug boats, etc.). Employers require captains, mates, and pilots to have specific certifications that correspond to the position. These certifications are called endorsements. To earn an endorsement, a worker generally must demonstrate a certain number of hours of experience or training related to the skill and pass a written test.

Entry-level mate positions, often called third mates, typically require at least 3 years of experience as a deckhand on a similar vessel as well as the appropriate endorsements. An officer who graduates with an associate’s or bachelor’s of science degree from a maritime academy can also qualify for a third mate position with the necessary endorsements. 

With additional years of experience, coursework, endorsements, and licenses, third mates can advance through the mate ranks and eventually become a captain. To learn more about the advancement routes and associated requirements, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Water Transportation Workers webpage.

Pilots must have many years of experience and skills navigating vessels in different water and weather patterns and in complex situations. The requirements to become a pilot vary by state, but pilots generally need many years of experience as well as high-level endorsements and a pilot license.

All captains, mates, and pilots working on a ship with a U.S. flag are required to maintain an up-to-date Transportation Worker Identification Credential from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and Merchant Mariner Credential from the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Job Profile

Captains, mates, and pilots work together with other water transportation workers to operate and maintain nonmilitary vessels and ensure the safety of passengers and cargo on board. They strictly follow the chain of command among the officers and crew on board the vessel. In the marine energy industry, captains, mates, and pilots play a key role in operating the vessels that perform ocean and lake floor surveys as well as transporting materials and people to marine energy sites during construction and operation and maintenance stages.

Captains or masters typically:

  • Have overall command of a vessel
  • Responsible for the safety of the crew, cargo, and passengers
  • Can steer and operate vessels
  • Ensure that proper safety procedures are followed
  • Purchase equipment and supplies and arrange for any necessary maintenance and repair
  • Oversee the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers
  • Keep logs and other records that track the ship’s movements and activities.

Large ships may have three mates, called first, second, and third mates. The first mate has the highest authority among mates and takes command of the ship if the captain is incapacitated. On smaller vessels, there may be only one mate who handles all the responsibilities.

Mates (also called deck officers) typically: 

  • Direct the operation of a vessel while the captain is off duty
  • Alternate watches with the captain and other officers
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of the deck crew
  • Assist with docking the ship
  • Monitor the ship’s position, using charts and other navigational aides
  • Determine the speed and direction of the vessel
  • Inspect the cargo hold during loading, to ensure that the cargo is stowed according to specifications.

Pilots typically:

  • Maintain the steering and control of a vessel in and out of ports or other areas that require highly skilled navigation
  • Work with a ship’s captain and crew to safely navigate the vessel to its final destination
  • Establish a positive working relationship with a vessel’s captain and deck officers
  • Receive mooring instructions from shore dispatchers.

Job Skills

Captains, pilots, and mates typically need:

  • Hand-eye coordination. Captains who steer ships have to operate various controls while staying aware of their surroundings.
  • Hearing ability. Captains, mates, and pilots must pass a hearing test to get a Merchant Mariner Credential.
  • Physical strength. Captains and officers require good physical strength as they may need to lead their crew for varying lengths of sail in the ocean.
  • Visual ability. Mariners must pass a vision test to get a Merchant Mariner Credential.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on captain, mate, and pilot jobs, see: 

Resources