To become a skipper, you need a time-consuming process. The requirements for education and experience to become a captain are not so strict, depending on the type of ship you want to captain. However, you will need to be sufficiently qualified to get a United States coast guard license if you want to find a paid skipper job. This article is a guide for those of you who live in the United States.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Part One: Education
Step 1. Graduate from high school
Whatever ship you hope to captain, you need to get a high school diploma.
- If you are still a high school student, you should consider studying mathematics for four years, including algebra, geometry, and either trigonometry, pre-calculus, or calculus. You should also take physics and chemistry lessons.
- Learn to communicate in English and other language classes.
- You should also consider taking computer classes, mechanical drawing classes, mechanical classes, and college prep classes.
Step 2. Get a bachelor's degree
While this is not strictly required, it is strongly recommended that you pass four years of education to earn an undergraduate degree at a university or at a coast guard training academy.
- You can usually become the skipper on a supply ship or on an inland waterway by starting out as a sailor on board and working your way up to your rank. However, if you want to be a captain on a ship, you need a formal education.
- Earn a degree in marine transportation, marine engineering, maritime operations and technology, marine engineering systems, or marine engineering and shipbuilding.
Step 3. Get the necessary skills and knowledge
Whether you get a formal education or not, there are specific skills you need to learn and practice if you want to be a good skipper.
- Study topics related to navigation software, facility software, marine communications operating systems, and ship mechanical equipment structures.
- You also need to develop good coordination and communication skills.
Method 2 of 4: Part Two: Experience
Step 1. Have 360 days of flying at sea
Before you get permission to become a captain, you must have a minimum of 360 days of flying at sea for 5 years. One “day” in this context is four consecutive hours.
- If you spend these flying hours at sea under the orders of another captain, you will need this captain to sign your permit application when the time comes.
- Keep in mind that during this time of flying at sea, you don't need hands-on experience as a skipper. For example, you can be a helper or sailor on a sailing ship and your flying hours will still count.
Step 2. Consider increasing the training hours on board
Although you only need 360 days of flying hours at sea to get a license, if you want to get a job as a skipper, you usually need at least three to four years of professional experience. This experience should be directly linked to the operational and regulatory departments of the ship.
- If you get a bachelor's degree from a coast guard academy, you'll usually get the opportunity to become a ship captain through the United States naval officer strategic program (commonly known as the Merchant Marine Reserve), to become a coast guard, or naval force.
- If you didn't get a bachelor's degree from a coast guard academy or none of these programs sound appealing to you, you're going to have to get a low-key job on a standard sailing or merchant ship and you'll have to work hard to get your way up. Even if you choose this route, you will usually need to work as a pilot before the ship or other ship will hire you as a captain.
Method 3 of 4: Part Three: Getting Your Permissions
Step 1. Gather all your registration requirements
You will need to obtain and complete a registration for your skipper's license through the United States coast guard. This license is formally better known as the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).
- You need to fill in the registration completely and correctly.
- Keep in mind that you will need to collect documentation of your experience at sea on your registration.
- You can collect your application form and supporting documents in person at your local Regional Exam Center (REC) or send to REC by mail.
Step 2. Collect three letters of recommendation
In addition to your registration, you will need to submit three letters of recommendation. These letters need to describe your character.
- It will be more helpful if the recommendation letter is related to the maritime world. With this, those who accept your registration will be able to assess your character and prowess on the ship.
- The best letters of recommendation come from a licensed skipper, an angler on board, or someone else who owns and operates the boat.
- This recommendation letter must also be endorsed.
Step 3. You need to pass the physical and drug tests
When you have collected your registration and letters of recommendation, you will need to pass the physical and drug tests. You also need certification.
- You also need to pass a background check and fingerprint check as well.
- You will also need to show your social security card to the clerk at the licensing office when you collect the registration requirements.
- While it's not always required, you'll also need to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the U. S Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You will need to get this credential if you wish to be the captain of any ship that is deemed less secure.
Step 4. Take the exam
There is no boarding test when you register for your master's license, but there is a written test that you are required to pass.
The exam typically consists of 60 multiple choice questions on deck procedures and safety, 20 questions on general navigation, 10 questions on navigation problem scenarios, and 30 multiple choice questions on general rules regarding operating ships in public waters
Step 5. Pay the required fees
The standard fee in 2014 in rupiah is IDR 2,925,000,000. You will need to pay this fee when you collect your registration and complete the exam.
The evaluation fee is Rp. 1,300,000,00 and the fee for the exam is Rp. 1,430,000, 00. The remaining Rp. 585,000, 00 is used for insurance costs
Step 6. Get your credentials
After you provide your registration, fees and related documents, REC will process your registration on its electronic database. From the REC, your application will be sent to the National Maritime Center (NMC) for review.
- Once the NMC has obtained your registration, the staff there will review your professional qualifications and medical history. Your safety and suitability will also be evaluated.
- If your application is accepted, your permit and credentials will be printed and mailed to you.
Method 4 of 4: Part Four: Getting a Job
Step 1. Know what you're getting into
Finding a job as a skipper may be difficult at first, but the development of employment in the maritime world will be faster than all other careers in 2020.
- Jobs will develop more rapidly on inland river routes, beaches and large lakes.
- In 2011, the average annual salary for ship captains was Rp. 645,840,000,00.
Step 2. Find a job
The easiest way to find a job as a skipper is through the relationships you know through your training and experience development.
- Contact the maritime company you have worked for and ask about available job vacancies.
- Contact the skipper of the axe owner you've worked with and ask if he can get you to a professional contact.
- Go to the pier and ask the captain and the officer there about job vacancies.
- Look for jobs online. There are several websites such as https://www.boatcaptainsonline.com/ which are specifically designed to find work as a ship captain.
Step 3. Continue your education
If you want to increase your chances of getting or keeping a job, you should consider furthering your education at a maritime academy.
- This academy can help you learn new skills and new technologies related to the maritime world.
- The academy can also prepare you for recertification exams.
