How To Become A Tugboat Captain

Tugboats are increasingly popular in the maritime industry as they help enormous ships maneuver through rough waters and are vital to their daily operations.

They are responsible for controlling the speed and direction of the vessel they are in charge of by using their boat’s engines and rudder.

They also have to make sure that the vessel they are in charge of doesn’t hit any other objects along their route. This job can be very rewarding because they get to travel around the world while having fun on the water.

The tugboat captain is the person in charge of the boat that tows a ship, they are responsible for moving the ship along with other boats.

They’re responsible for helping ships go through narrow waterways and to pull them out of danger. A tugboat captain is someone who has a deep understanding of how to navigate and operate a tugboat.

Getting a license as a tugboat captain can unlock many opportunities, but it is a highly-skilled profession that requires years of training in order to become one.

If you have a passion for the sea and want to work in the maritime industry, this is your chance! This post will explain how to become a tugboat captain.

Overview Of How To Become A Tugboat Captain

Tugboat captains are responsible for guiding ships through narrow waterways and are responsible for getting vessels out of danger.

They use their knowledge and skills to help vessels pass safely, they have also been a part of the maritime industry for decades. Tugboat captains make an average hourly rate of $42.03 which equals $87,420 a year.

They also have the responsibility of making sure that their vessels are well maintained and safe to operate in the water.

Tugboat captains may work with two or more crew members on board their vessel who help them perform various tasks such as navigating the vessel, managing the engine, and operating other equipment on board.

Tugboat captains are experts at maneuvering large ships and barges. They are required to work long hours in difficult conditions and must be able to make quick decisions that affect the safety of the crew.

Skills Required To Become A Tugboat Captain

You must be an expert in maritime procedures, have strong leadership qualities, keen awareness, planning for emergencies, and grace under pressure.

You need to have extensive training on how to avoid dangers in shallow waters, you must know how to handle different water and weather conditions, and also make appropriate reports on weather conditions.

A tugboat captain needs to know the characteristics of different weather patterns and identify them easily with meteorological devices.

Learning how to read weather data is crucial because that’s when vessels get into a lot of trouble and hence, they’re needed for their rescue.

Licensing For Tugboat Captain

The United States Coast Guard is responsible for issuing certifications to qualifying individuals that want to pursue a career as a tugboat captain.

Before you’re issued this license, you need to obtain a Merchant Mariner Certification, and before obtaining that you need a “Transportation Workers Identification Credential ” which is granted by “The United States Transportation Safety Administration ”.

You’re required to complete MMC paperwork that will take some time to be processed. The application will be reviewed by the “National Maritime Center” and they will check on your citizen status, criminal record, professional qualifications, and your medical status as well.

Tugboat Captain – Job Experience

Tugboat Captain is a rescue job and that’s why you can just step in without some experience. It will take at least three years to acquire the experience required; you will have to go through thirty months working as a merchant marine.

Twelve months out of this time should be spent as a “Steersman”. You should spend eighteen months on a tugboat working as a deckhand.

You should be at least 21 years old before applying for the title and you have to be a United States citizen or can be an immigrant that meets the requirements needed as stated by the “Federal Transportation Security and Administration”.

There are also certain convictions that you should possess if you want to get this job, you shouldn’t be convicted for crimes like fraud, terrorism, murder, smuggling, drug distribution, or espionage.

Tugboat Captain – Education

A majority of tugboat captains have completed maritime training in a formal academy, one of them is the U.S Merchant Maritime Academy. They award a Bachelor of Science Degree and also issue a U.S Coast Guard License.

The graduates will also get an “Officer’s commission” in the United States Armed Forces. Other alternatives include the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and California Maritime Academy, which provide various bachelor’s degree programs that prepare students who want to step into the Merchant Maritime Industry.

Emergency medical certificates

Tugboat captains are required to have CPR and first-aid certificates from any maritime professional training or USCG-approved institution. These certificates are to be submitted to USCG during your final application.

What Are The Requirements To Be A Tugboat Captain?

• You must prove that you have prior maritime experience; you have to show proof that you have worked up to 540 days as a mate of towing. There should be at least 90-days out of those days that are on a single route.
• Must have safety certificates; You must present up-to-date documents that show a valid MMLD (Merchant Marine License Documentation). The MMLD needs to have a “Y” designation, which shows that they have passed SSEB (Safety and Security Evaluation Branch) assessment.
• The eligible candidate has to be at least 21-years, pass a physical screening test and drug test as well. Also, they have to prove they’re U.S citizens.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Tugboat Pilot?

It will take at least 3 years to gain the experience required.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Vessel Captain?

It depends on the time it took you to obtain all the licenses required, it can take up to 10 years or less.

What Qualifications Do You Need To Work On A Tugboat?

You need to take a test for a U.S coast guard license corresponding to your boat, you need a certificate in firefighting and emergency procedures.

Additional requirements are also required which can be checked with the U.S coast guard and other appropriate agencies.

Additional Skills And Experiences Required

These skills will help the candidate to excel in their career as a tugboat captain, let’s take a look at them briefly;

Knowledge of the sea: The tugboat captain must know how to navigate in different weather conditions and currents.

This is a skill that the captain of a tugboat must have; A captain must know how to read the signs of current, radar, and weather conditions to be able to determine whether or not their vessel will succeed in navigating through different types of water.

Navigation: The captain must be able to plot the best route for their boat in order to avoid obstacles like rocks or other ships.

They must be able to navigate safely while carrying out their duties in high winds, waves, currents, and other challenging situations.

A tugboat captain must be knowledgeable about bridges, power lines, and other structures they may come across while navigating.

The tugboat captain is responsible for steering the boat in a safe and effective way, and that’s why they are also responsible for making sure that they don’t run into any obstacles while they are on the water.

Knowledge of how to operate various types of equipment on board: A tugboat captain needs to understand how each part of their boat works and what they can do when something goes wrong.

They need to learn from experience and this is why the captain needs to have experience with their boat and its systems before they can safely operate it.

In order to understand the tugboat’s systems, the captain must have an understanding of what each part does. The captain also needs to know how each part works in conjunction with the other parts and where they are located in relation to one another.

They need this knowledge so that they can be able to troubleshoot problems and make repairs quickly if necessary.

Make quick decisions: The captain must be able to handle multiple tasks at once and make quick decisions.

They must have the ability to communicate with other people, understand the weather conditions and make quick adjustments in order to keep everyone safe.

They must be able to work effectively with others and make quick decisions in the event that something goes wrong.

Benefits Of Acquiring A Tugboat Captain License

• They Have Career Diversity And Mobility

A Tugboat captain has career mobility and career diversity because they have many options for where they can work and they are in high demand in various parts of the world.

The demand for these jobs increases as more people use water transportation to get around cities and countries. Tugboat captains can also work with other people in different departments such as engineering, maintenance, personnel, etc.

Candidates with a tugboat license can use it in various maritime career paths, this means they’re not only limited to being a tugboat captain. Here are some of the maritime career paths they can apply for;

• They can be part-time or full-time tugboat mates or captains.
• Harbor or Ferry boat operations.
• Charter boating for parasailing, fishing, or more.
• Business and recreational yachting.
• Maritime rescue and relief work.
• Offshore, near-coastal, and inland Maritime operations.
• And other dozens of fields out there

Overall, acquiring the Tugboat license unlocks a lot of opportunities and it’s definitely worth it to go through all the procedures required in order to obtain the license.

It will take time though, but it’s rewarding and most of all, it’s a fun career because you will go around the world.

• It Offers Financial Stability

A Tugboat Captain job offers financial stability and a sense of adventure, and is a great career for those who want to work outdoors; The job however requires physical strength, stamina, and agility.

They earn an average salary of $87,420 per year according to the U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics, this rate is above the average household income in the United States.

Every year there are more and more people who are interested in this job, and that’s because it’s a lucrative career. Tugboat Captains have a key role in the maritime industry because they are responsible for the safe navigation of ships and vessels on the sea.

A tugboat captain can make an excellent living but it takes years of experience to do so; The tugboat captain’s salary varies depending on location and experience level, but the average salary is around $30 to $200 per hour.

You should also know that Tugboat captains typically work long hours with little time off due to their schedules being irregular.

However, they often work in locations that offer a stable income such as ports or large harbors where ships dock frequently.

• They Often Travel
  

If you want to travel around the world for free, this is your job. The job of a tugboat captain offers excitement, adventure, and many opportunities for growth.

They have the opportunity to witness the best destinations in the world, many people have joined this profession because they love being on the ocean and traveling from place to place.

Others do it just for the money which can be good enough. You will explore different parts of the world but the job requires extensive knowledge of marine law and regulations, as well as experience with local and international laws and customs.

This position requires physical strength to handle heavy equipment while heaving lines to tow ships at night or when visibility is poor.