Water transportation career is one of the best jobs for those who are interested in the transportation occupation. Water transportation occupation is also called as commercial ships as merchant mariners. Their work is to transport passengers and large amount of cargo between nations.
Job Description
The job of water transportation workers is to maintain and operate tugboats, ferries, deep-sea merchant ships, towboats, excursion vessels, offshore supply vessels, dredges, and other waterborne craft on the great lakes, oceans, canals, rivers, other waterways and harbors.
Pilots, mates, and captains of water vessels supervise and command the operation of water vessels and ships on the deep sea and within domestic waterways. Masters and captains are in command of the function of vessel. Their job is to supervise the work of other crew and officers. A captain works in association with their department heads to make sure that the safety practices and proper procedures are followed. The responsibility of these workers is to ensure equipment and machineries are in working condition. They supervise discharging and loading of cargo or passengers. These workers track and maintain records of shift's movements, passengers and cargo carries, and efforts at controlling pollution.
The work of deck officers is to guide the routine function of the vessel. A pilot directs the ship in and out of harbors, on rivers, through straits, and other restricted waterways where the familiarity with winds, local water depths, currents, tides, and dangers such as shoals and reefs are of major importance. Pilots on canal and river vessels, generally, are daily crew members. Usually, harbor pilots work as independent contractors whose work is to accompany vessels while they get into or leave the port. A harbor pilot may drive several ships in a day.
The work of a ship engineers is to operate, repair, and maintain generators, propulsion engines, pumps, boilers, and other machinery. Marine oilers and experienced members of the engine department, or QMEDs facilitate the engineers to maintain and keep vessels in working order. These workers oil and grease shafts, bearings, gears, and other moving objects of motors and engines, read temperatures and pressure gauges, adjust machinery, and record data.
Deckhands and sailors control the vessel and its deck equipment under the close supervision of the ship officers. Their work is to keep the non-engineering areas in working condition. They execute daily tasks such as chipping rust, repairing lines, and painting and cleaning decks.
Work Environment
Water transportation career is a very good option for individuals who want to carve their career in the water transportation business. The working schedule for water transportation professionals may vary depending upon the length of voyage and type of ship. Generally, crews are on the job for half of the day and seven days of a week. Merchant mariners who are on long distance cargo vessels and survey may spend extended hours at sea. Many deep sea mariners are employed for many voyages that may last for many months.
Ship workers who are on supply vessels may transport supplies such as fuel, food, drilling mud, and water. Their journey may last few hours or weeks. Workers on barges and tugs operate on the lakes, rivers, along the coast, and inland waterways. Workers who are hired on Great Lakes ships may work sixty days and have thirty days off. They are not allowed to work in the winter as lakes are frozen. Workers who are employed on smaller vessels like Great Lake ships, supply boats, and tugs usually assigned to one vessel.
Water transportation career provides good remuneration to the skills professionals. Workers who serve on ferries transporting commuters have to work on weekdays in the evening and morning. Generally, workers in harbors have to perform year-round work. People who are into water transportation career have to work in all types of weather excluding frozen water periods.
Training and Educational Qualification
Training, entry, and educational requirements for several water transportation occupations are set up and controlled by the US Coast Guard. Operators and officers of commercially operated vessels should be licensed by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard offers a variety of licenses based upon the body of water, position, and type of vessel. It must be noted that workers when they change the body of water and type of ship must be re-licensed.
The entry-level workers are categorized as deckhands and ordinary seamen. Workers need to take training in realms such as firefighting and first aid. The training may take few days or weeks. There are two ways of training and education for an engineer or deck officer: applicant ought to amass thousands of hours experience while serving as a deckhand or to be graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, or another maritime academy.
Advancement
Candidates who would like to get into this field and then grab higher position need to pass exams and hold extensive experience. Workers like deckhands who wish to advance should decide whether they want to work in the engine room or wheelhouse. With the help of ample amount of experience, deck officers and assistant engineers may advance to become captains or chief engineers.