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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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What Do You Call The Driver Of A Boat?
Many people love sailing and being out there on the sea compared to on land. That is why people often search for careers that will help them sail for the better part of the year.
- The primary term for a boat driver is “Captain.”
- On cruise ships, the Captain steers and oversees the operation.
- Yacht drivers, who control speed and direction, are called Captains.
- “Skipper” is used to refer to drivers of smaller boats.
- “Gondolier” describes the person driving a gondola in Venice.
- Licensing and extensive training are required for boat Captains.
A career in the seas can pay well. One of the most prestigious positions on the ship, which you can opt for, is the boat’s driver (not the official name).
With this position, you will have complete control of the vessel. Even though there will be a hierarchy, you will control the ship.
Therefore, many people wonder about the designation of the boat driver. We will answer that question below and help you understand what they do and how they become qualified.
What Do You Call the Driver of a Boat?
The driver of the boat is known as the helmsman. Helm stands for the wheel through which the ship is steered. That is why the person is known as a helmsman.
Sometimes, he/she is the captain or skipper; at other times, there will be a separate helmsman to steer the boat.
How to Become a Helmsman?
If you want to experience sailing, you can easily opt for the boat rental and experience the same. Most big harbors worldwide have plenty of boat rental companies to help you steer the boat for a day or two.
Helmsmanship is a lucrative career option that can help you make a decent amount of money. However, to become a helmsman, you must get the proper education.
Only when that is the case can you be sure you can professionally work as a helmsman.
We will now share the complete procedure for becoming a helmsman with you.
1. Getting the Right Education
To become a helmsman, you must eventually enroll in a maritime high school. A few are located on the shore near the Great Lakes or the coasts.
However, before you do that, it is essential to complete your high school. It does not matter where you have completed high school.
You need to be familiar with three units of Maths, English, physics, and chemistry. It would help if you also had traditional units in subjects like foreign languages, social studies, and economics.
Working part-time in a shipyard is the best way to increase your chances of enrolling in Maritime High School. It will ensure that you are generally familiar with ship parts and design.
Working part-time will mean gaining the requisite knowledge even before heading to the maritime high school. This will help you score higher than other students applying for the school.
If you did not finish our school, another option you have is to get the Gen education development certificate. However, getting enrolled in maritime schools is a bit difficult when you go through the GED certificate.
However, you can opt for a diploma in a related course to increase your chances of enrolment. This will help you gain admission quite quickly.
In short, you need a diploma, good high school scores, and proper units to gain admission to maritime schools.
2. Applying for Maritime Schools
The maritime schools can help you get a four-year graduate degree. Often, the Coast Guard monitors these degrees.
The subjects in these graduate courses can vary from ship construction to maritime law to engineering. There are a few tips that you can follow when attending maritime schools. These include:
- If you want to become a helmsman, the fastest way is to apply for and enroll in a maritime school. Most schools in the US are funded through the United States Maritime Administration.
- The schools aim to ensure maritime professionals are always available for the Merchant Navy.
- After completing your graduate degree from maritime schools, you will not qualify to become a helmsman immediately. It requires licenses and experience.
- In many cases, maritime schools will also make an internship compulsory. Chances are, by the time you graduate, getting your license is the only step to becoming a helmsman.
- Once you do so, you can start working as a helmsman.
We will highlight that step below.
3. Gaining Certifications and Experience
Before you get your maritime graduation degree, you need some experience. That is why most maritime schools advise you to get an internship.
You can get an internship on bigger vessels, such as cruise ships. This will ensure you gain first-hand experience and understand how the ship works.
You will gain real experience on the seas, preparing you for the job in advance. Completing such an internship will also help you see ship operations firsthand.
If you do not get an opportunity to work on a cruise ship, you can even opt for an internship on a commercial or a government ship. It will also help you understand how ships work in general.
Getting your first job:
The majority of the maritime schools also offer replacement services. It means you will have your first job before completing your degree or after.
Working on the ship can also give you experience and qualifications to move you up the hierarchy. Additionally, you can apply for jobs in the US Merchant Marine Reserve, Naval Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve.
Before however, you become the helmsman, it is crucial to gain some experience on the deck. For this reason, you should apply for jobs like third mate and deck officer.
Both jobs open up opportunities to take exams that can help you become a helmsman and a captain. You can apply for these examinations without taking up these jobs.
It is always better to gain some experience before taking these examinations.
We will highlight more about these examinations below.
Getting your license:
If you want to work as a helmsman or in any other position on the ship, getting a transportation worker identification credential is essential. You will also have to obtain a merchant marine credential.
There are certification exams for the same. These will test your knowledge of ship protocols and procedures. They will also require a drug screening, vision test, physical test, and other exams.
Most Marine high schools will familiarize you with all the topics you need to clear the exam.
Only once you get the certifications can you work on any ship. When you apply for jobs, you will have to furnish these credentials to get the job after you are selected.
When you want to work as a helmsman or a captain, you must complete your education according to the above guide and get the required licenses to work on a ship.
While the educational qualifications might seem a bit difficult to achieve, the truth is that once you complete your education and gain some experience, you will become a valuable resource that will help you climb up the ladder quite quickly.
Also, since you enjoy being a helmsman, you will finally have a job you love.
How Much Can a Helmsman Make on an Annual Basis?
The salary of a helmsman depends on your state. In most cases, food and accommodation will be provided during your job tenure.
This means you can save a significant amount of money while working as a helmsman. As you gain more experience, increments become easier to obtain.
A skilled helmsman is always required in the marine industry. Hence, you will find opportunities quite easily.
What is the Working Schedule of a Helmsman?
The helmsman often requires work in four-hour shifts. If you’re working on a smaller boat as a helmsman, your duty can also stretch up to 8 hours in each shift.
In the remaining time, the captain might operate as a helmsman, or the First or the Second officer might work as the helmsman. These three positions are higher up the hierarchy than the helmsman.
The helmsman can report to any of these positions according to the hierarchy on the ship or the boat. Most of the time, the vessel is on autopilot.
However, some course corrections might be required. In such a case, the helmsman would handle the ship.
The radar officer will aid the helmsman and be on the visual lookout to help the helmsman steer the vessel in the right direction.
The helmsman also monitors various instruments, such as GPS, status alerts, and communications from the Coast Guard or SOS receivers.
Final Words
The question “What do you call the driver of a boat?” has a few different answers depending on the type of vessel.
The most common term is “Captain,” used for large cruise ships and yachts. The captain is responsible for steering and overseeing the entire operation.
For smaller boats, the driver is often called a “Skipper.” In contrast, in the canals of Venice, the person driving a gondola is known as a “Gondolier.”
Regardless of the title, these roles require licensing and extensive training to ensure safety and efficiency on the water. Understanding these unique designations contributes to our appreciation for marine navigation and its diverse range of specialized roles.
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