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 |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | $38.74/hr | $1.20/hr | $10.28/hr | $29.30/hr | $38.80/hr | $52.03/hr | $61.18/hr |
| U S | 33,370 | 1,935 | $42.99/hr | $1.38/hr | $18.33/hr | $24.60/hr | $35.57/hr | $51.79/hr | $75.57/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
| Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer | 35,150 | $23.84/hr | 2.3% |
| Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services | 15,680 | $18.75/hr | 2.2% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | 8,430 | $21.15/hr | 2.1% |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | 1,170 | $34.02/hr | 4.6% |
| Locomotive Engineers | 840 | $34.11/hr | 4.9% |
| Transportation Inspectors | 510 | $38.89/hr | 2.2% |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | 110 | $26.57/hr | 3.4% |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | 60 | $23.43/hr | -1.2% |
| Ship Engineers | N/A | $30.78/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.
