Fisheries boatmaster
Also known as: coastal skipper, boat captain, local fishery boatmaster, fishery boatmaster, boatmaster, coastal fisheries boatmaster
About this occupation
Fisheries boatmasters operate fishing vessels in coastal waters performing operations at the deck and engine. They control the navigation as well as capture and conservation of fish within the established boundaries in compliance with national and international regulations.
A specialisation of fisheries master.
Essential skills and knowledge
- international regulations for preventing collisions at sea
- provide on-board safety training
- quality of fish products
- preserve fish products
- fisheries management
- swim
- provide training
- communicate using the global maritime distress and safety system
- use water navigation devices
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
- support vessel manoeuvres
- secure cargo in stowage
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (O*NET 53-5021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
- Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
- Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
- Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
- Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Enterprising
Top skills: Operation and Control, Speaking, Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring
US median pay: US$92,460 a year (2025), 36,850 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Sailors and Marine Oilers
- Motorboat Operators
- Ship Engineers
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Commercial Pilots
- Transportation Inspectors
- Bridge and Lock Tenders
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Locomotive Engineers
- Dredge Operators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.