Ship Captain Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Ship Captain Do?
Ship captains are in charge of a vessel for the transportation of goods and passengers, operating in offshore and coastal waters. The size of the vessel can range from a small vessel to a cruise liner depending on the tonnage that they are certified to sail. Ship captains have vast experience with ships and their operation, and are likely to have worked their way through the ranks of other ship-related positions.
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Where Do I Start?
Maritime Transportation Technology
Understand maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making while on-board.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Ship Captain
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialMaritime Transportation Technology knowledge
Understand maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making while on-board.
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EssentialFreight Transport Methods knowledge
Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of …
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EssentialInternational Convention For The Prevention Of Pollution From Ships knowledge
The fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations for the Control …
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EssentialVessel Safety Equipment knowledge
Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc. Operate equipment during emergency …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialGlobal Maritime Distress And Safety System knowledge
The internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialInternational Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea knowledge
Fundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic …
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialTypes Of Maritime Vessels knowledge
Know a large variety of maritime vessels and their characteristics and specifications. Use that knowledge to ensure that all security, technical, and maintenance measures are taken into account in their …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialGeographic Areas knowledge
Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPrinciples Of Mechanical Engineering knowledge
Understand principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnalyse Work-related Written Reports skill
Read and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCarry Out Navigational Calculations skill
Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Ongoing Compliance With Regulations skill
Conduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Public Safety And Security skill
Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Verbal Instructions skill
Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Staff skill
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Crew skill
Supervise and observe the behaviour of employees.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Loading Of Cargo skill
Supervise the process of loading equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that all cargo is handled and stored properly in accordance with regulations and standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Unloading Of Cargo skill
Supervise unloading processes for equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that everything is handled and stored correctly in accordance with regulations and standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Maritime English language skill
Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Water Navigation Devices skill
Utilise water navigation devices, e.g. compass or sextant, or navigational aids such as lighthouses or buoys, radar, satellite, and computer systems, in order to navigate vessels on waterways. Work with …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Vessel Status skill
Assess the status of the operating radar, satellite, and computer systems of a vessel. Monitor speed, current position, direction, and weather conditions while carrying out watch duties.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate Mooring Plans skill
Prepare crew briefings on mooring plans and division of labour. Provide the crew with information on protective gear such as helmets and safety goggles.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Water Navigation skill
Ensure that a vessel carries up to date and adequate charts and appropriate nautical documents. Lead the process of preparing the voyage report, the vessel passage plan, daily position reports, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Vessel Security skill
Ensure that security requirements for vessels are met according to legal norms. Check if the security equipment is in place and operational. Communicate with marine engineers to ensure that the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Voyage Logs skill
Maintain written records of events during a ship or aeroplane voyage.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Marine Communication Systems skill
Operate on board marine communication systems; communicate with other ships or with on-shore control centre e.g. to send urgent messages concerning safety; transmit or receive alerts, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Mechanical Equipment Of Ships skill
Operate mechanical equipment on vessels; communicate with engineers if failures occur or should repairs be required during a voyage.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPlot Shipping Navigation Routes skill
Plot the navigation route of a vessel under the review of a superior deck officer. Operate a ship radar or electronic charts and automatic identification system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Transportation Routes skill
Prepare routes by chosing the best possible way and foresee adjustments in case of need, by providing additional running time or adapting capacity and timing in response to changes in …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSteer Vessels skill
Operate and steer vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, tankers, and container ships.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Movement Of Crew skill
Oversee embarkation and disembarkation of crew members; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Movement Of Passengers skill
Oversee embarking and disembarking of travellers; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 6 displayed)
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OptionalWarehouse Operations knowledge
Know the basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage. Understand and satisfy customer needs and requirements while effectively utilising warehouse equipment, space and labour.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Transportation Management Concepts skill
Apply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalComply With Checklists skill
Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Solutions To Problems skill
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDeal With Challenging Work Conditions skill
Deal with challenging circumstances in which to perform work, such as night work, shift work, and atypical working conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSecure Ships Using Rope skill
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
Course recommendations coming soon.