Ship Captains - Ted Blenkers

Ship captains are responsible for the business, navigation and operation of all types of boats. The captain works with officers and crews to establish the speed and direction of a ship, monitor the positions of a ship and avoid hazards.

The captains also ensure that your ship's engines and equipment are well maintained and that proper safety procedures are followed. In addition, they can monitor the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo, keep records and document pollution control efforts.
Ship captains can spend long periods of time away from home.

Captains of waterways or river boats often start with basic-level jobs such as deck sailors and get on the job training. Then they advance in the ranks gaining experience and passing qualification exams.

Alternatively, deep sea ship captains often get formal training from merchant marine academies before being promoted to captains.

Graduates of Marine Academies may continue to serve as housing officers. Sailors who did not graduate from marine academies, on the other hand, generally must obtain many hours of work experience before being promoted to deck officers.

Consider taking continuing education courses. Maritime academies offer continuing education courses for professional development. These classes can help sailors learn new skills or keep abreast of new technological developments, such as global maritime emergency safety systems.
Some programs can also prepare workers for recertification exams, such as radar systems.

Most sailors also need to obtain a Merchant Marine Credential through local government. The requirements may vary depending on the type and size of the ship on which you will work and the type of water the ship will navigate.
In general, an applicant must pass a background check and character reference, complete a training course, pass exams, pass drug screening tests and complete an eye exam and physical exam.

As they continue to gain experience and receive on-the-job training, housing officers may qualify for a captain promotion. The years of experience required to reach this point vary and are based on the time spent in levels or ranges. In some cases, tests may also be administered.