A Ship Captain or Maritime Boat Captain maintains ultimate command of the vessel they are operating. While this may be a pressurised and demanding job, it is very much a rewarding experience, requiring someone with excellent man-management skills and an eye for detail.
The Ship or Boat Captain has to ensure that all legal and company standards are adhered to in both the vessel and the crew, paying particular attention to any environmental issues such as oil spills or the emission of any other pollutants. Working within Maritime as a Ship or Boat Captain you will be responsible for the safety of the crew and any cargo, and so the Captain must regularly inspect vessels to assess whether they are seaworthy, and whether any machinery on-board is safe for use. Experience within the Maritime sector and technical knowledge of the vessel is required to be successful in this career, as is an in-depth understanding of tides, navigation and the effects of weather conditions.
What does the job description include?
- The Ship or Boat Captain job means that they are responsible for the safe operation of their vessel and must ensure that it is operated and crewed according to both company and legal guidelines.
- You must investigate any damage to the vessel, personal injuries of crew and the environmental effects of the vessel; this includes monitoring any pollution and checking for oil spills around the vessel and at ports and harbours. As a Ship or Boat Captain health and safety is a priority.
- The Ship or Boat Captain is responsible for the interviewing and hiring of crewmembers and the allocation of living quarters and work shifts of all crew members.
- You must maintain all on-board equipment, including machinery, engines and safety equipment with regular inspection.
- The Ship or Boat Captain must navigate vessels using maps, radars and lights by the use of electronic devices and the following of contour lines.
- Monitor daily progress of the vessel, observing speed, engine pressure and water depths, and signalling any passing ships is a key part of a Ship or Boat Captain’s role.
- You must adhere to any budgets and the purchasing and loading of fuel, supplies and equipment is your responsibility,
- The Ship or Boat Captain must also maintain full knowledge of the cargo carried by the vessel and answer any queries from customs officials.
- The Ship or Boat Captain must conduct his crew in their tasks, monitoring the performance of licence and unlicensed crew.
Key skills and qualifications of a Maritime Ship or Boat Captain:
- You must be educated to degree level and may also be required to hold any qualifications associated with the operation of a vessel.
- You must be a licensed mariner with experience as a Port Captain, Cargo Planner or other Maritime experience.
- A Ship or Boat Captain must have in-depth knowledge of cargo storage, vessel maintenance and navigation.
- There is a strong likelihood of extended stays away from homeport and travels to many different global locations, so the Ship or Boat Captain must be prepared for long periods of travel away from home.
- The Ship or Boat Captain must have strong man-management skills as the role is centred on the efficient coordination of crewmembers and the maintaining of a satisfied crew who are in line with company requirements.
- To be successful as a Ship or Boat Captain in Maritime, you must be organised and have a strong eye for detail, able to find any reason why the vessel may not be seaworthy or any machinery would be dangerous, or to deal with any problems effectively in open sea.
- You must be proficient in any software on the vessel, able to use it day-to-day or in an emergency.
How to find more Ship or Boat Captain jobs within the Maritime Industry:
To find more Ship or Boat Captain jobs or other jobs within this sector, or to place a vacancy, please contact us.