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What Do Ship Pilot Do?
Job Description & Duties Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.
Ship Pilot Responsibilities
- Serve as a vessel’s docking master upon arrival at a port or when at a berth.
- Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
- Maintain ship logs.
- Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
- Make nautical maps.
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Ship Pilot Needed Skills
These are the skills Ship Pilots say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Towing Pilot
- Steamboat Pilot
- Package Line Relief Operator
- Pilot
- Relief Docking Master
Are There Job Opportunities for Ship Pilots?
There were about 38,800 jobs for Ship Pilot in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Ship Pilot by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,400 positions for Ship Pilot per year.
The states with the most job growth for Ship Pilot are Nevada, Georgia, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Ship Pilots Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Ship Pilot ranges between $35,410 and $144,690.
Ship Pilots who work in Texas, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ship Pilots make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,750 |
| Alaska | $72,570 |
| California | $70,840 |
| Delaware | $74,790 |
| Florida | $78,880 |
| Georgia | $73,410 |
| Hawaii | $52,830 |
| Illinois | $67,020 |
| Iowa | $75,600 |
| Kentucky | $79,130 |
| Louisiana | $93,010 |
| Maine | $61,410 |
| Maryland | $86,460 |
| Massachusetts | $57,700 |
| Michigan | $83,040 |
| Minnesota | $73,910 |
| New Hampshire | $51,490 |
| New Jersey | $75,170 |
| New York | $95,370 |
| North Carolina | $55,710 |
| Ohio | $47,810 |
| Oregon | $100,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,780 |
| South Carolina | $67,090 |
| Tennessee | $54,480 |
| Texas | $103,950 |
| Virginia | $77,370 |
| Washington | $90,890 |
| Wisconsin | $48,190 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Ship Pilots
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ship Pilots may use on a daily basis:
- Log book software
- Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Admiral
- Maptech The CAPN
How do I Become a Ship Pilot?
Individuals working as a Ship Pilot have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Ship Pilot?
Ship Pilots Sector
Below are examples of industries where Ship Pilots work:
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References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.