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Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Credit: camknows, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 on Flickr

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels in the geosciences are responsible for operating and navigating ships or boats that are used to conduct research or collect data in marine environments. Their work involves a variety of geoscience-related tasks, including:

  • Maintaining the ship’s safety and operational systems, such as communications, navigation, and lifesaving equipment.

  • Planning and executing voyages, which may involve determining the most efficient route, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring that the ship is properly equipped for any potential hazards or emergencies.

  • Conducting scientific experiments or collecting samples from the ocean, which may require operating specialized equipment and recording data.

  • Working with scientists and researchers to ensure that the data collected meets the required standards and is accurate.

  • Maintaining detailed logs of all activities and observations made during a voyage.

Read more about this occupation on O*NET OnLine at www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-5021.00

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