DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
53-5021 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Occupational Description:
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard. Excludes “Motorboat Operators" (53-5022).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 2 - Headwaters | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Minnesota | 110 | 18 | $31.06/hr | $2.33/hr | $14.01/hr | $23.21/hr | $31.32/hr | $35.79/hr | $50.50/hr |
| U S | 30,860 | 1,142 | $36.08/hr | $0.69/hr | $15.46/hr | $21.75/hr | $32.35/hr | $45.88/hr | $61.59/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer | 510 | $17.36/hr | N/A |
| Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services | 90 | $14.10/hr | N/A |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | 90 | $13.35/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
- Commands water vessels, such as passenger and freight vessels, fishing vessels, yachts, tugboats, barges, deep submergence vehicles, and ferryboats.
- Directs and coordinates activities of crew or workers, such as loading and unloading, operating signal devices, fishing, and repairing defective equipment.
- Steers and operates vessel or orders helmsperson to steer vessel, using radio, depth finder, radar, lights, buoys, and lighthouses.
- Computes position, sets course, and determines speed, using charts, area plotting sheets, compass, sextant, and knowledge of local conditions.
- Inspects vessel to ensure safety of crew and passengers, efficient and safe operation of vessel and equipment, and conformance to regulations.
- Signals crew or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates and ramps, and pull guard chains across entry.
- Monitors sonar and navigational aids and reads gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, and oxygen.
- Calculates sighting of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on chart.
- Maintains records of daily activities, movements, and ports-of-call, and prepares progress and personnel reports.
- Interviews, hires, and instructs crew, and assigns watches and living quarters.
- Tows and maneuvers barge or signals tugboat to tow barge to destination.
- Signals passing vessels, using whistle, flashing lights, flags, and radio.
- Purchases supplies and equipment, contacts buyers to sell fish, and resolves questions or problems with customs officials.
- Collects fares from customers or signals ferryboat helper to collect fares.
- Supervises crew in repair or replacement of defective vessel gear and equipment.
- Supervises crew in cleaning and maintaining decks, superstructure, and bridge.
- Observes loading and unloading of cargo and equipment to ensure that handling and storage are according to specifications.
- Supervises activities of crew engaged in ship's activity, such as barging, towing, dredging, or fishing.
- Stands watch on vessel during specified periods while vessel is underway.
- Inspects equipment, such as cargo-handling gear, lifesaving equipment, fishing, towing, or dredging gear, and visual-signaling equipment, for defects.
- Assumes command of vessel in event ship master becomes incapacitated.
- Observes water from masthead and advises navigational direction.
- Determines geographical position of ship, using loran and azimuths of celestial bodies.
- Steers vessel, utilizing navigation devices, such as compass and sexton, and navigational aids, such as lighthouses and buoys.
- Directs course and speed of ship on basis of specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, tides, and current.
- Orders worker at helm to steer ship.
- Navigates ship to avoid reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards, utilizing aids to navigation, such as lighthouses and buoys.
- Signals tugboat captain to berth and unberth ship.