What You'll Do

  • Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
  • Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
  • Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
  • Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
  • Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.
  • Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
  • Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
  • Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.
  • Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.
  • Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.

Essential Skills

Operation and Control 3.88/5
Operations Monitoring 3.75/5
Speaking 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.38/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.38/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Service Orientation 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.

Common styles

Dependability, Concern for Others, Initiative, Persistence, Achievement/Effort

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.0/5
Spatial Orientation 3.88/5
Far Vision 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Perceptual Speed 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.62/5
Manual Dexterity 3.62/5
Oral Expression 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Autopilot software Cartography software Echo sounder software Global positioning system GPS software Radar software Roam Devices Roam Marine Monitor Hub SEA.AI Offshore ONE Web browser software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.78/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.38/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.33/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.33/5)
  • Achievement/Effort (High importance: 4.32/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Boat Driver Boat Launch Operator Boat Operator Boat Person Boatman Crew Boat Operator Harbor Pilot Launch Operator Launch Steward Launchman Mooring Master Motorboat Operator Outboard Motorboat Operator River and Lakes Boatman River Pilot Rivers and Lakes Boatman Rivers and Lakes Leverman Shoreboat Driver Speedboat Driver Speedboat Operator Towboat Operator Water Taxi Boat Mate Water Taxi Business Operator Water Taxi Ferry Operator Water Taxi Operator