There are four major groupings of water transportation jobs on large ships: the Captains, Deck officers, and Pilots; Ship engineers and qualified members of the engine department; and sailors or deck hands.
Captains, deck officers, mates and pilots are responsible for managing the overall operation of the vessel. They have ultimate responsibility for the safety and success of the voyage and supervise other officers and crew.
Deck officers and mates generally are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ship, including the reading of charts, and determining course and direction as well as to safely navigate waterways.
Pilots are the specialists of navigation. For local ships, the pilot may be a permanent member of the crew. Some of the busier ports have harbor pilots who are independent contractors that will guide larger vessels into and out of a port and ensure the ship is safely docked. Areas with shoals, reefs or other underwater hazards also may have local pilots who will help navigate ships through the section. They too are independent contractors who temporarily help the ship through the section and then move on to the next vessel.
Ship engineers ensure that the mechanical propulsion and systems of a vessel work and are kept in order. On larger vessels, the Chief engineer also oversees the First, Second and third assistant engineers, the oilers and other qualified members of the engineering department. Larger vessels usually have four engineers plus oilers and other qualified members of the engineering department.
Oilers and other qualified members of the engineering department have the responsibility of ensuring that the mechanical equipment below decks is properly oiled and in working order. They also read gauges and monitor equipment to ensure that all items are working in their proper ranges.
Deckhands and sailors have responsibility for ensuring that all of the equipment above decks is in working order. They work under the direct supervision of the captain or deck officers. They are responsible for monitoring water depth, watching for navigational hazards, and if licensed, steering the ship. With barges, deckhands and sailors are also responsible for ensuring that all ropes are properly secured. If the ship is a tanker, deckhands called pumpmen help ensure that the movement of the materials through the hoses and pumps occurs and that all hoses and clamps are properly fastened.
Work Environment
On larger vessels, the crew may consist of a captain, a pilot or mate, an engineer as well as half a dozen deckhands. The work environment varies based on the size and type of ship. For cruise ships, there may be a very large crew with an emphasis on ensuring the passenger safety and enjoyment of the trip. For cargo vessels, most of the crew may be involved with ensuring the cargo is secure and that the ship is prepared for trans-oceanic travel.
When the ship is underway, crew members are usually on duty seven days a week for half a day shift. Because of the great variation in the types and nature of shipping, voyages may be as short as a few hours to many weeks.
Living conditions aboard ships have steadily improved to help shipping firms reduce turnover.
Licensure and Training
Most of the positions of responsibility on the ship, especially those involved with navigation, piloting and engineering require a license from the US Coast Guard. To qualify for a license, the person applying for the water transportation job needs to show experience in non-licensed positions, have training handling similar positions in the Navy or coast guard, or have graduated from a maritime training facility. Requirements for licensure increase in rigor depending on the type of water the ship will sail, the size of the ship, and the position of responsibility.
To gain a license a candidate for a water transportation job needs to demonstrate hours of experience, as well as pass the licensure exam.
Experience in the Navy or Coast Guard is an excellent way to gain the hours of experience needed for licensure with water transportation jobs.
Job Outlook
Currently, jobs with the merchant marine are growing and are projected to increase by a total of 16% between 2006 and 2016. In 2006, there were 80,000 total employees in water transportation jobs. The main drivers of growth in the industry are expected increases in the exploration of oil and gas, and the growth in tourism.
Salary Levels
Salaries for water transportation jobs vary widely based on position, type and size of vessel serviced, as well as location of the vessel. Because vessels range from ferries to trans-oceanic oil tankers, salaries also vary widely.
The median salary for an engineer also experiences extreme ranges based on the size and type of vessel. The median salary for an engineer in 2006 was almost $55,000. The salary range was between $34,140 and over $92,000 depending on the size and type of vessel.
The median salary for sailors and marine oilers was $30,630 in 2006. The range was a little narrower for this group of water transportation jobs with a range of less than $19,000 to over $49,000.
Conclusion
With the increase in tourism and oil and natural gas exploration, the prospects for water transport jobs are promising. These positions would be an excellent choice for people discharged from the Coast Guard or Navy and are returning to civilian jobs. Because of the variation in positions, it is important to research the water transportation job thoroughly before applying for a position.
