In order to become a pilot of a ship or boat do i have to go to a maritime college?

Question

I love boats and being on the water,and would love a career in water transportation(cruises,whale watches,tour boats etc.) In order to be a captain or pilot on a ship or boat,would i have to go to a maritime college or the navy or coast guard?

Answer 1

If you are talking the large ships that come in and out of port the answer is technically NO. All that you would need to do is to pass the pilots exam for that port. Then be accepted into the pilots union. HOWERVER.

Many ports require both a state and federal exam. Mostly consisting of reproducing the entire chart from memory. Many pilot unions will not consider a candidate unless they hold a Chief Mate unlimited ticket. The easiest way to get that is to go to a maritime college.

The best way to get a feel for things would be to go down and start working on whatever boats are in your area.

As a Maritime grad I would say go for the education and degree. You can always do something else later if you change your mind

Answer 2

log on to glenains,ie you can take navagation lessons i did and t am now sailing down the french coast Donadea

Answer 3

best way is a maritime college, need a 100 ton licence, you won't get a job at first to pilot a large ship, start out with a water taxi or a fishing charter boat and work your way up

Answer 4

yes, there are some great schools in south Florida that will teach you what you need to get at least 100 ton license and your masters , its a great life..go  on line  look for coast guard approved classes.

Answer 5

you're asking 4 different questions here.....to be a Captain of a large ship, like a cruise ship, or to be a pilot....a very specialized trade that drives a large ( over 100 foot, over 100 tons) ship into a port, then yea, a degree from the USCGA, or Mass, Maine New York or US Merchant Marine Academies is a good start.

NOW, to be a Captain on a whale watch or harbor tour or small ferry you need a license from the US Coast Guard. No college degree needed, just experience, called "sea time".

The starting level license is the "Six Pack" for boats carrying 6 or less people. You first have to have 365 days sea time as a deck hand, pass a test etc etc etc. You can then get  more advanced licenses that let you drive larger boats carrying more people in different waters.

Sea School does the testing for the Coast Guard; go to their web site to see the basic requirements.

But it all starts as a deck hand, swabbing decks, cleaning and painting; so start haunting the docks for a job and off you go!