 |
What does a boat’s captain do? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Ahoy! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work on a boat or ship??
Ships and boats provide important forms of transportation that help both people and cargo to get where they need to go! Different kinds of water vessels are run by different types of specialized workers, such as captains, officers, deckhands, sailors, and mates! Sometimes, a ship’s operator is even known as a “pilot”! Usually, the captain (or sometimes “master”) is the one in charge who oversees the work of all the other crew members.
Depending on the size of the boat or ship, where it’s going, and what it’s carrying, a captain and his crew will carry out lots of different tasks. They must calculate the ship’s route and how fast it will go. They have to steer around obstacles like tides and winds as well as natural geography of the water they’re in. They also have to perform maintenance and work with engineers to ensure that all of their gear and equipment is working properly, such as boilers, pumps, and engines! Crew members are also usually responsible for anchoring the boat, keeping it clean and rust-free, and looking after things like lifeboats.
In order to start working on a boat, captains, crew, and other workers must obtain the right licenses and pass certain tests, since they are responsible for the safety of themselves and everyone else on board! While some workers who work on ships that travel long distances may have to be away from home for long periods of time, those who love being out on the water can find it to be a great job!
Have you ever been out on a boat? What kind of boat was it? A cruise ship? A small sail boat? Maybe a water taxi?? Who was the “captain” of the boat or boats you were on, and what did he or she have to do to operate the boat?
What kinds of skills do you think a boat’s captain would need to have to do his or her job well?
