Is being a ship captain or mate a good fit for you?

Commands a ship or boat such as a tug or ferry, or leads those who run it.

What the work involves

Directs a ship's course and speed using knowledge of local winds, weather, depths, tides and currents.
Stops ships under navigational control from operating unsafely.
Acts as docking master when a ship arrives at a port or berth.
Consults maps, charts, weather reports and navigation equipment to decide and direct ship movements.

The interests that suit it

People in this work tend to be hands-on and organising. Here is how much each of the six kinds of interest comes into it.

Hands-onStrong. Building, fixing, and working with tools, machines, animals or the outdoors.

CuriousLow. Finding things out, solving problems, and working with ideas and data.

CreativeLow. Making things: art, writing, music, design and performance.

HelpingLow. Teaching, caring for and supporting people.

PersuadingSome. Leading, selling, and making the calls.

OrganisingSome. Keeping things in order: records, numbers and systems.

What it tends to reward

Compared with other work, this job stands out for:

Independence. Trusted to decide how the work gets done.

How much training it needs

Apprenticeships and training. Usually vocational training or an apprenticeship. Rules differ from country to country, so check locally before you commit.

Find out if it fits you

Answer quick questions about what you like doing and what keeps you going. We match you with roles from over 900 kinds of work, and you can see if a ship captain or mate is one of yours.

Free. About 15 minutes. No account.

Start my free match