Careers › Ferries & Passenger Vessels
Employer examples checked against Washington State Ferries, NYC and MITAGS pages · October 2026
The short answer
- Passenger vessels carry people rather than cargo: car and passenger ferries, water taxis, harbor and dinner cruises, whale-watch boats and small U.S.-flag cruise ships.
- The work covers all three departments. Deck crews handle lines, load vehicles and keep passengers safe. Engine crews run and maintain the machinery. Steward and hospitality crews cook, serve and clean.
- Many ferry jobs are shift work on regular routes, so you may sleep at home most nights. Small cruise ships are different: you live aboard for weeks at a time.
- Requirements vary by employer and vessel. Read each job posting, and check the employer's own careers page for current openings.
What kind of work is it?
| Type of operation | What the work is like |
|---|---|
| Public car and passenger ferries For example, Washington State Ferries, Alaska Marine Highway, Staten Island Ferry, Cape May–Lewes Ferry | Many landings a day on short routes, loading vehicles, passenger safety and regular drills. Longer routes, such as Alaska's, can mean living aboard while you're on shift. |
| Passenger-only ferries and water taxis | Smaller, faster boats with small crews, so everyone does a bit of everything: lines, cleaning, passenger help and maintenance. |
| Harbor, dinner and sightseeing cruises | Passengers, events and food service. Expect evenings, weekends and busy summer seasons. |
| Small U.S.-flag cruise ships (coastal and river) | Hotel-style service alongside deck and engine work. You live and work aboard for weeks at a time. |
Jobs aboard
Deck
Deckhand or Ordinary Seafarer, then Able Seafarer (AB), mate and master. Handling lines, directing and securing vehicles, standing lookout, helping passengers, drills, cleaning and maintenance.
Engine
Wiper, then Oiler or another QMED rating, then engineer. Engine-room rounds, readings, maintenance and repairs, often on vessels that run every day of the year.
Passenger service
Galley, food and beverage service, and housekeeping on vessels with overnight passengers. Where the vessel requires a credential, this is the Steward's Department (Food Handler) entry rating on your MMC.
Job titles vary. A "deckhand" on one ferry system may be an entry-level job, while on another it requires an AB endorsement. Read the posting, not just the title.
What employers ask for: two real examples
Washington State Ferries lists Ordinary Seafarer as its entry-level deck job. Its employment page says deck applicants need:
- A TWIC and a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
- A Coast Guard medical certificate on the CG-719K long form, and a color vision test passed without restrictions
- A drug screen after a conditional job offer
- A valid driver's license, the ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted, and to tread water for 60 seconds without a life jacket
- Two-day Coast Guard firefighting and survival training
WSF also says new deckhands work on call: often 32 to 40 hours a week, but not guaranteed, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Staten Island Ferry (New York City) is a contrast. A 2024 city posting for "Deckhand" asked for an MMC with an Able Seaman endorsement and Lifeboatman, plus two years of deckhand experience or equivalent training.
Before you pay for training, compare your plan with the actual posting for the job you want. Before You Spend Money →
Where it can lead
Deck
Engine
Some ferry systems describe in-house paths from deckhand to licensed officer. MITAGS, for example, lists a scholarship-funded, two-year Washington State Ferries apprenticeship leading to an inland mate license. Check MITAGS for current dates and eligibility. (Captain Mike formerly taught at MITAGS; this site has no connection to the program.) Moving up from your first job →
Ferry crews deal with passengers on every trip, so staying calm and speaking clearly matters as much as handling lines. In an interview, talk about times you kept people safe or settled a tense situation, not only about boats.
Your next step
See who operates ferries and passenger vessels, then read their job postings.
Sources
- Washington State Ferries: Employment (requirements and on-call schedule, checked October 2026)
- NYC Jobs: Deckhand, Staten Island (2024 posting, now closed; shown as an example)
- MITAGS: Washington State Ferries apprenticeship program
- NMC entry-level ratings checklist
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