Your license doesn't stop working when you come ashore

Oversees vessel operations, crews, and port calls for a fleet.

Credential: Master or Chief Mate license

Responsible for a group of vessels: safety, crewing, budgets, performance.

Credential: Master, Chief Mate, or Chief Engineer

Runs the fleet as a business unit; often the step after superintendent.

Credential: Senior deck or engine license

Schedules vessels, voyages, and crew changes.

Credential: Deck officer license and sea time

Dispatches boats and barges; manages towing crews.

Credential: Master of Towing Vessels; tank vessel experience for barge fleets

Runs day-to-day service for a ferry system.

Credential: Senior passenger-vessel deck or engine credential

Manages dredge or construction vessel projects.

Credential: Master/Mate or dredge operating background

Hires and schedules mariners.

Credential: No license required; sailing experience is a strong advantage

The ISM Code link between the ships and top management.

Credential: Senior sea experience (Master or Chief Engineer often preferred)

Builds and runs the company safety program.

Credential: Officer license plus safety qualifications

Keeps the fleet compliant with USCG, flag, and class rules.

Credential: Officer license plus regulatory experience

Security plans and drills under the ISPS Code and MTSA.

Credential: CSO training; Vessel Security Officer background helps

Audits safety management systems.

Credential: Senior license plus lead-auditor training

Inspects vessels for condition, damage, and value.

Credential: Master, Chief Mate, Chief Engineer, or technical background

Surveys ships for class rules and statutory certificates.

Credential: Engineering degree or senior engine/deck license

Draft surveys, cargo condition, and loss investigations.

Credential: Chief Mate or Master cargo experience

Approves high-risk operations like heavy lifts and rig moves for insurers.

Credential: Master, Chief Engineer, or naval architect background

Inspects ships on behalf of an open registry.

Credential: Senior license and inspection experience

Inspects U.S. and foreign vessels for the Coast Guard.

Credential: Coast Guard active duty or civilian employee; sea time is valued

Inspects tankers for oil company vetting programs.

Credential: Senior tanker experience plus OCIMF accreditation

Manages tanker vetting results and fleet assurance.

Credential: Master/Chief Mate with Tank Vessel-PIC experience

Runs a liquid or dry bulk terminal.

Credential: Tanker, cargo, or PIC experience

Coordinates ship and terminal during cargo transfer.

Credential: Senior tanker cargo experience

Supervises transfers on the facility side.

Credential: Qualifications set by the facility (33 CFR 154.710); tank vessel experience valued

Leads oil spill response operations and drills.

Credential: Vessel command, PIC, and pollution-response experience; HAZWOPER

Marine operations for offshore vessels or rigs.

Credential: Master, OIM, or DP experience

Dynamic positioning operations, audits, and trials.

Credential: Senior deck officer with DPO certification

Marine expertise for drilling operations.

Credential: Master, OIM, or Barge Supervisor background

Stability and ballast support for MODUs.

Credential: BCO or Barge Supervisor experience

Teaches courses at a training center.

Credential: License matching the subject taught

Teaches courses that satisfy Coast Guard requirements.

Credential: Instructor qualifications are set in each course's approval letter

Runs bridge, engine, or cargo simulator training.

Credential: Master, Mate, or Chief Engineer license

Teaches cadets at a state or federal academy.

Credential: Officer license plus teaching qualifications

Prepares mariners for Coast Guard exams.

Credential: Deck or engine license for the exams taught

Runs a company or school training program.

Credential: Senior credential and instructing experience

Maintenance, repairs, and shipyard periods for a group of vessels.

Credential: Chief Engineer or First Assistant license

Technical management of a fleet.

Credential: Chief Engineer or marine engineering degree

Leads the technical department.

Credential: Senior engineering credential and superintendent experience

Plans and runs salvage operations.

Credential: Master, Mate, or Engineer with salvage experience

Investigates losses for underwriters.

Credential: Master or Chief Engineer often preferred

Handles crew, cargo, and pollution claims for shipowners' insurers.

Credential: Senior shipboard credentials

Investigates groundings, collisions, and injuries.

Credential: Master, Mate, or Engineer credentials

Gives expert opinion in legal cases.

Credential: Senior license and documented experience