According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards. | 100% |
| Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations. | 98% |
| Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth. | 97% |
| Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements. | 96% |
| Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses. | 95% |
| Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations. | 94% |
| Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks. | 94% |
| Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way. | 92% |
| Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations. | 91% |
| Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen. | 91% |
| Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations. | 90% |
| Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws. | 89% |
| Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations. | 89% |
| Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios. | 87% |
| Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment. | 87% |
| Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers. | 86% |
| Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries. | 86% |
| Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches. | 85% |
| Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures. | 85% |
| Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status. | 85% |
| Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications. | 84% |
| Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts. | 84% |
| Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models. | 83% |
| Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment. | 81% |
| Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired. | 81% |
| Assign watches or living quarters to crew members. | 70% |
| Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges. | 70% |
| Purchase supplies or equipment. | 70% |
| Interview and hire crew members. | 64% |
