Water Transportation Workers

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Duties

The following is a typical day for someone working in the water transportation industry:

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• Maintain and operate non-military ships.
• Observe the ship's rigid command structure.
• Keep everyone on board and their belongings secure.
• Merchant mariners, or crew members, are employed on a wide range of vessels.
• Some move manufactured products and chilled cargo around the world aboard enormous deep-sea container ships.
• There are others who operate aboard bulk carriers, such as those that transport large goods like coal or iron ore, across seas and the Great Lakes.

More than a few people work on both large and small tankers, which transport oil and other liquid materials all over the world. In addition, some people work aboard supply ships that bring equipment and supplies to offshore oil and gas installations.

Those who work on tugboats assist barges and other vessels navigate in tiny harbors and on the open sea.

Merchant mariners are often employed by salvage vessels that provide emergency services.

Some merchant seamen also operate on ferries to convey people over shorter distances aboard cruise ships.

Deep sea, huge coastal, and Great Lakes commerce ships often employ a captain and a chief engineer, as well as three mates, three assistant engineers, and many sailors and marine oilers. Smaller ships that ply the rivers and ports may have fewer crew members. U.S. Coast Guard regulations dictate the exact number of seafarers on board.

Cooks, electricians, and ship maintenance and repair personnel are just a few of the additional jobs available on ships.

Workers in the water transportation industry include the following:

Captains, or masters, are in charge of a ship's operations. They have the final responsibility for the safety of the crew, cargo, and passengers. Captains often do the following:

• Operate and steer ships.
• Direct your staff.
• Check to see that all safety precautions are being followed.
• Take care of all of your equipment's needs, as well as any essential repairs and maintenance. Oversee the loading and unloading of freight or people.
• Keep track of the ship's movements and operations by keeping logs and other documents.
• On cruise ships, you can meet and greet guests.

When the captain isn't on duty, the ship's operations are overseen by the mates, also known as deck officers. The first, second, and third mates of large ships are known as the first, second, and third officers. If the captain becomes unable to lead the ship, the first mate assumes charge. You'll often find three crew members on board: one first mate in charge of goods and passengers, one second mate for navigational and safety concerns. A single mate may be responsible for all duties on a smaller vessel. A typical deck officer's job consists of the following activities:

• Watch-swapping with the captain and other officers.
• The deck crew must be closely monitored and coordinated at all times.
• Assist the ship's crew in docking.
• Use charts and other nautical aids to keep track of the ship's location.
• Calculate the vessel's speed and direction.
• During loading, inspect the cargo hold to ensure that the cargo is properly stored.
• Once in a while, make announcements to the passengers.

Maritime pilots are responsible for guiding ships in restricted waterways, such as harbors and rivers. They are not part of the ship's crew, but they join a ship and serve as a navigator for a certain canal. Tidal and current knowledge is essential for their jobs.  To ensure the safety of a ship entering a commercial port, a captain may have to hand control of the vessel over to a pilot. The following is a typical list of actions taken by pilots:

From a tiny boat in the open ocean, climb a ladder to board a strange ship.

Find out about the destination of the ship and any particular requirements it may have from the captain.

Make friends with the ship's captain and the rest of the crew.

The shore dispatchers will give you directions on how to moor.

Ship and deck equipment are operated and maintained by sailors, called deckhands. They are the ship's deck crew, responsible for maintaining the ship's mechanical systems, excluding those relating to the engine and motor. Ordinary seamen are new deckhands who do the simplest of jobs. Able seamen, or deckhands who have worked on ships for a long time, make up the bulk of the crew. In certain big ships, a boatswain is in charge of the deck crew and serves as the ship's commanding officer. This is what sailors usually do:

• Look out for other ships, impediments, and navigational aids, such buoys and light houses, as they sail.
• Under the command of an officer, steer the ship in shallow water and take water depth measurements.
• Ensure that the deck is painted, and rust is removed by carrying out periodic maintenance.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the ship's interior.
• When docking or departing, take care of the mooring lines.
• Take care when towing barges by tying them to each other.
• Rearrange freight for loading and unloading.
• Assisting travelers in need

Mechanics in ship engineering are responsible for operating and maintaining the vessel's engine, boilers, generators, pumping and other gear. It is common for large ships to have a first, second, and third assistant engineer in addition to the chief engineer, who is in charge of the engine room and crew. When the chief engineer isn't on duty, the assistant engineer is in charge of the engine and its supporting equipment. One engineer may be all that's needed for small ships. Doing so is customary for engineers:

• Inspect and repair the mechanical and electrical systems on board the ship.
• Follow the captain's instructions and start the engine and adjust the vessel's speed.
• Keep track of the details in a logbook for engineers.
• Maintain a list of mechanical components and supplies that are needed.
• During the course of the day, do routine maintenance inspections.
• Determine the frequency and amount of refilling required.

Workers in the ship's engine room are called marine oilers. They are the sailors of the engine room. On ships carrying liquid cargo, new oilers are commonly referred to as wipers or pumpmen. An experienced wiper can join the Engine Department as a Qualified Member (QMED). The following are common tasks for marine oilers:

• Lubricate the engine or motor's gears, shafts, bearings, and other components.
• Observe and record data from pressure and temperature gauges.
• Maintain the engine room machinery on a regular basis and at other times as needed.
• Repair machinery with the assistance of engineers.
• Pumps, pipes, and tanks need to be connected and cleaned.
• Assist the deck crew as necessary with cargo loading and unloading.

Motorboat operators use tiny, motor-driven boats that can only transport a few people. Fishing trips, sightseeing, and port patrols are just a few of the things they do. The following are typical actions taken by boaters:

• Their boat's oil and other fluids should be checked and replaced as needed.
• Assist passengers in boarding the boat once they've been picked up.
• If required, serve as a tour guide.

Education

Marine oilers or sailors often don't require formal schooling to get the job done. The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized training programs for a variety of water transportation employees, including those who operate in the oil and gas industry.

Employers may prefer to recruit someone who has graduated from a merchant marine academy with a bachelor's degree. Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with endorsement as third mate or third assistant engineer is offered by the academy programs. Ensigns in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve are also available to those who complete these programs.

Training

On-the-job training lasts anywhere from six months to a year for lower-level crew members, such as sailors, wipers, and stewards. The time required for training varies according on the size, type, and waterway of the vessel. Workers aboard deep-sea vessels, for example, require more in-depth training than those who work on ships that cruise on a river or canal.

Registration, Certification, and Licensing

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that all seafarers operating on U.S.-flagged vessels obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This document certifies that the bearer is either a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and has undergone a background check. Every five years, the TWIC needs to be renewed.

The STWC (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) endorsement is required for all mariners working aboard ships in international waters. This training is provided by regional U.S. Coast Guard offices and covers such topics as first aid and lifeboat safety. Every five years, the STWC training course must be completed. The STWC does not encourage navigators who work on interior rivers or the Great Lakes.

Additionally, the majority of seafarers are required to hold a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), which is obtained through a regional examination center of the United States Coast Guard. A written test is not required for entry-level personnel, such as sailors or wipers. A drug screening is also required for all applicants for the MMC. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Shipboard safety is also required of them. It is also necessary to renew the MMC on a five-year cycle. The National Maritime Center of the U.S. Coast Guard has further information about MMCs and associated endorsements.

A pilot's license is issued by the state where he or she is employed. Pilots in the Great Lakes are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, a federal agency. It is not uncommon for pilot license requirements to change based on the location where a pilot works.

Knowledge of the Field from Prior Employment

Many professions in water transportation necessitate prior work experience, which is why entry-level roles tend to demand less education and training than more senior ones. If you want to be a ship engineer, for example, you might need to have worked as a marine oiler in the past. Worker training programs can provide students with some of the practical experience they'll need in the field.

Advancement

Crew members can seek for endorsements that may allow them to progress up the ranks after receiving their MMC. 

After six months of experience, wipers can take a written test to become a Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED).

An ordinary sailor can become an unrestricted able seaman after three years of service and passing a written exam. Depending on the ship's kind, able seaman endorsements below the level of unlimited can be obtained after six months to a year of service.

Third mates can be promoted to lieutenants after completing three years of service on the ship's decks. The ship on which they intend to serve as an officer must meet these requirements. To acquire the third-endorsement mates on their MMC, they must also complete many training sessions and written and onboard assessments. The more intricate and larger the vessel, the more challenging these criteria become. After three years of service in the engine room, QMEDs can get an endorsement as a third assistant engineer after completing a variety of training and testing criteria. The greater the ship's size and complexity, the more experience and testing is required.

Third mate or third assistant engineer endorsements are given to graduates of maritime academies, depending on the department in which they are taught.

A minimum of 365 days of experience at the preceding level is required for each step in the career ladder, from third mate/third assistant engineer to second mate to first mate to captain or chief engineer. To advance to the position of first mate or first assistant engineer, a second mate or second assistant engineer must finish a 12-week training program and pass an exam.

Qualities that are essential

Skills in providing excellent service to clients. Passengers on motorboats are often interacted with, and their satisfaction is of utmost importance to the operators.

Hand-eye coordination Crew members aboard ships must manage a variety of controls while keeping an eye out for their surroundings.

Ability to hear. To obtain an MMC, applicants must pass a hearing test.

Dexterity of the hands. Crew members must have strong balance in order to move in small areas and on wet or uneven surfaces.

Abilities to work with their hands. Maintaining a sophisticated machine is the job of those who work in engine maintenance.

Strength of body. Unloading and loading cargo is the responsibility of freight ship sailors. Most seafarers have to perform a lot of lifting while they're on the job.

The capacity to see. To get an MMC, mariners must pass a vision exam.

Pay

In May 2020, water transportation workers earned an average yearly salary of $59,250. When half of an occupation's workforce earns more than the median wage, the wage is referred to as the "median wage." Percentages in the bottom and top tenths of earners range from $29.460 to $128.420.

Job Projections

Water transportation workers' employment is expected to expand at a greater rate than the average for all occupations between 2020 and 2030.