Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge :: Job Description

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Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge

Careers / Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge

Summary Description


	Supervise or coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Barge Mate

2.	Boatswain's Mate

3.	Captain

4.	Cargo Mate

5.	Coastal Tug Mate

6.	Container Ship Mate

7.	Deck Cadet

8.	Deck Engineer

9.	Deck Hand

10.	Deckhand

11.	Dock Hand

12.	Dredge Mate

13.	Ferry Terminal Agent

14.	First Mate

15.	First Officer

16.	Fishing Vessel Mate

17.	Fourth Mate

18.	Fourth Officer

19.	Inland Tow Boats Master

20.	Maritime Officer

21.	Mate

22.	Ocean Towing Merchant Mariner

23.	Officer

24.	Pilot Boat Officer

25.	Relief Captain

26.	Relief Master

27.	Relief Mate

28.	Sailing Officer

29.	Second Mate

30.	Second Officer

31.	Ship, Boat, or Barge Mate

32.	Skipper

33.	Tankerman

34.	Third Mate

35.	Third Officer

36.	Training Mate

37.	Tug Captain

38.	Tugboat Mate

39.	Vessel Master

Job Tasks

	Steer vessels, using navigational devices, such as compasses or sextants, or navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys.

	Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.

	Determine geographical positions of ships, using lorans, azimuths of celestial bodies, or computers, and use this information to determine the course and speed of a ship.

	Assume command of vessels in the event that ships' masters become incapacitated.

	Inspect equipment, such as cargo-handling gear, lifesaving equipment, visual-signaling equipment, or fishing, towing, or dredging gear, to detect problems.

	Participate in activities related to maintenance of vessel security.

	Arrange for ships to be stocked, fueled, or repaired.

	Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.

	Observe water from ships' mastheads to advise on navigational direction.

	Supervise crew members in the repair or replacement of defective gear or equipment.

	Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.


		steer boat or ship

		transport passengers or cargo

		direct course or speed of ship

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		read maps

		read navigation charts

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.


		monitor sonar or navigational aids

		stand watch on vessel

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand technical operating, service or repair manuals

		understand admiralty law

		recognize reefs, shoals, or other hazards by navigation aids

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).


		operate emergency fire or rescue equipment

		use two-way radio or mobile phone

		operate navigation technology or equipment

		use geographic positioning system (GPS)

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.


		perform safety inspections in transportation setting

		oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use interpersonal communication techniques

		use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation

		use knowledge of seamanship or boat handling

		use knowledge of tides and currents

		use established traffic or transportation procedures

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		measure water depth

		calculate sighting of land using chart or sounding devices

		compute position, set course, or determine speed of vessel

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		supervise crew aboard ship

		order helmsperson to steer vessel

		monitor worker performance

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.


		inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		captain water vessels

		oversee marine cargo handling

		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		identify positions of celestial bodies for navigational purposes

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Water Transportation Occupations
	The movement of huge amounts of cargo, as well as passengers, in and out of U.S. waters and sometimes over the oceans depends on workers in water transportation occupations, also known as merchant mariners. They operate and maintain civilian-owned deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, barges, offshore supply vessels, cruise ships, and other waterborne craft on the oceans, the Great Lakes, rivers, canals, and other waterways, as well as in harbors. (Workers who operate watercraft used in commercial fishing are described in the section on fishers and fishing vessel operators elsewhere in the Handbook.)

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Water Transportation Occupations
	Water transportation workers' schedules vary based upon the type of ship and length of voyage. While on the water, crews are normally on duty for half of the day, 7 days a week.

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