Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Captain

🎯 Role Definition

The Captain (Master) is the senior officer in command of a vessel, responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of the ship, its cargo and crew. The role includes voyage planning and navigation, implementation of safety management systems (ISM), compliance with international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW), crew leadership and welfare, cargo/ballast/stability management, and acting as the company’s representative to charterers, port authorities and inspectors. This job profile is written for ship types including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, passenger vessels and offshore vessels; responsibilities and certifications may vary by vessel type.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Chief Officer / First Mate with established watchkeeping and cargo-handling experience.
Chief Engineer or Senior Officer transitioning to bridge command track (for certain operator programs).
Graduate of Nautical Science / Maritime Academy promoted through licensed officer ranks.

Advancement To:

Fleet Captain / Superintendent (shore-based operations management).
Port Captain / Marine Superintendent (regional management and compliance).
Senior Management roles: Operations Director, Head of Marine Safety, or VP of Fleet Operations.

Lateral Moves:

Marine Pilot
Safety & Compliance Manager (ISM/ISPS)
Technical Superintendent (if cross-trained)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Take full legal command of the vessel, exercising authority and responsibility for the safety of the ship, its passengers, cargo and crew while ensuring compliance with company policies, international maritime conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW), and flag/state regulations.
Plan and execute safe and efficient voyages by preparing detailed passage plans, evaluating weather routing, tidal and current information, and adjusting courses to minimize risk to ship, cargo and crew; use ECDIS, radar, ARPA, and satellite navigation systems for real-time navigation and collision avoidance.
Maintain and enforce the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) under the ISM Code, lead safety culture initiatives, perform regular audits and follow up on corrective actions to ensure audit readiness for internal, Class and Port State Control inspections.
Oversee cargo operations for the vessel type (liquids, dry bulk, containers or passengers), including cargo loading/discharging plans, segregation, trimming, tank/hold inspections, ullage and draught calculations, and supervising cargo teams to prevent damage, contamination or pollution.
Manage vessel stability and ballast operations by supervising trimming, ballast exchange and stability calculations, ensuring compliance with the approved stability book, loading manuals and MARPOL ballast water management requirements.
Execute and coordinate emergency preparedness, lead emergency response and crisis management during incidents such as fire, grounding, collision, pollution, or medical emergencies; conduct regular drills (fire, abandon ship, oil spill) and ensure crew proficiency.
Supervise and mentor the ship’s officers and ratings, including watchkeeping schedules, competency assessments, on-the-job training, succession planning and performance appraisals to maintain a qualified and cohesive crew.
Ensure maintenance and technical oversight of hull, machinery, safety and lifesaving equipment by coordinating planned maintenance, troubleshooting defects, prioritizing repairs, and liaising with Chief Engineer and technical superintendent to maintain class and statutory certification.
Serve as primary point of contact with port authorities, pilots, tugs, terminals, agents and charterers; handle port clearance, customs, immigration formalities and ensure timely coordination of pilotage, mooring, cargo operations and departure.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date ship’s logbooks, official documents, muster lists, deck and engine logs, cargo and ballast records, and prepare reports required by company and statutory bodies including Oil Record Book, Deck Log, and MARPOL records.
Control the implementation of drug and alcohol testing, fatigue management, hours of rest compliance and seafarer welfare programs to promote fitness for duty and crew retention.
Conduct risk assessments, job safety analyses (JSA) and toolbox talks for high-risk operations including mooring, heavy lift operations, tank cleaning, hot work, and shore-to-ship transfers, and enforce permit-to-work systems.
Lead environmental protection efforts aboard the ship, managing waste disposal, sewage, garbage handling, ballast water management, and implementing measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions consistent with company GHG reduction initiatives and IMO regulations.
Manage commercial responsibilities such as voyage estimates, bunker planning and consumption reporting, ensuring efficient fuel use and cost control while meeting charterparty and company performance expectations.
Ensure statutory and class certificates remain valid by arranging surveys, drydock schedules, and supervising corrective actions from survey findings, liaising with class societies and classification surveyors as required.
Implement and monitor cybersecurity and shipboard IT protocols for ECDIS, E-logbooks and communications equipment, coordinating with shoreside IT and technical teams to protect navigation and vessel control systems.
Investigate incidents, near-misses and non-conformities, lead root cause analysis and incident reporting to company HSQE, and implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence and improve safety outcomes.
Oversee security measures including ISPS responsibilities, access control, anti-piracy procedures, and coordination with vessel security teams, ensuring the ship’s security plan is current and exercised.
Control vessel budgets and procurement priorities for stores, spare parts and consumables, working with the ship’s accounts and the company’s purchasing function to ensure cost-effective provisioning and inventory control.
Manage seafarer administration matters such as crew changes, certifications and training matrix, work/rest time, medical fitness certificates, and facilitate crew welfare, grievance procedures and repatriation when required.
Represent the company professionally at all times with stakeholders including charterers, port state control, classification societies and insurers, preparing post-voyage reports and debriefs to support business and safety improvements.
Oversee the implementation of planned maintenance systems (PMS) for deck, hull and safety equipment, verify completion of planned tasks and maintenance records, and schedule external contractors for specialized repairs when necessary.
Ensure compliance with pilotage and port operational procedures during arrivals and departures, direct mooring and unmooring operations, and supervise safe passage within restricted waters and pilot stations.
Coordinate medical emergencies, telemedicine consultations and evacuations as necessary, maintain medical records and ensure adequate medical supplies and training are available onboard.
Provide leadership during drills, welfare activities and mentoring programs to build team morale, retention and professional development, fostering a positive safety-first shipboard culture.

Secondary Functions

Support shoreside operations and commercial teams by providing post-voyage performance data, fuel consumption metrics, and recommendations for operational improvements and cost optimization.
Contribute to company-wide maritime safety, quality and environmental projects, standard operating procedures (SOPs) updates and cross-vessel best-practice initiatives.
Participate in recruitment and vetting of officers and ratings, providing technical interview input and performance-based hiring recommendations to HR and crewing departments.
Assist technical superintendents and shoreside teams with failure analysis, spare parts justification, and procurement prioritization for critical equipment.
Mentor and train junior officers in bridge resource management (BRM), watchkeeping procedures, emergency response and navigation practices to build bench strength for future command roles.
Prepare and present voyage and incident debriefs for senior management, highlighting lessons learned, near-misses and recommended procedural changes.
Coordinate with vetting inspectors and third-party auditors, facilitate corrective action plans (CAPs) and support follow-up audits to maintain operational readiness and contractual compliance.
Participate in community and stakeholder engagement when the vessel represents the company in port events, inspections or local authority meetings.
Support digital transition projects (e-navigation, electronic recordkeeping) by piloting new systems onboard and providing user feedback to shoreside project teams.
Assist with special projects such as tender operations, pilot transfers, offshore support tasks, or new-build acceptance trials when assigned.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Master's License (Certificate of Competency as Master for relevant tonnage) — valid and endorsed for the vessel type; thorough knowledge of flag state requirements and STCW 2010 endorsements.
Advanced navigation and passage planning skills including ECDIS operation, radar/ARPA proficiency, celestial and electronic navigation, and voyage optimization software.
Strong knowledge of international maritime regulations: SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, ISPS Code, MLC, MARINA/Flag State directives and Port State Control (PSC) regimes.
Proficiency in cargo operations for the specific vessel type (tanker cargo operations and tank cleaning, bulk cargo trimming and discharge, container stowage planning and lashing).
Ship stability, ballasting operations and hydrostatic calculations, ability to use stability booklets and loading instruments to ensure safe loading conditions.
Emergency management and incident command experience including firefighting, search and rescue coordination, pollution response and contingency plan execution.
Bridge Resource Management (BRM), watchkeeping oversight and crew scheduling with familiarity with fatigue management and hours of rest regulations.
Familiarity with safety and quality systems: ISM audit preparation, non-conformance reporting, root cause analysis and CAP development tools.
Proficient in electronic recordkeeping, voyage management systems and maritime software tools (PMS, PMS modules, fuel monitoring, e-logs) and MS Office for reporting.
Knowledge of shipboard machinery basics, maintenance planning and the ability to coordinate technical repairs and drydock activities in collaboration with Chief Engineer and superintendent.
Understanding of cybersecurity principles for maritime systems and experience applying basic cyber hygiene to ECDIS, AIS and onboard IT networks.
Experience with statutory and class surveys, issuing and renewing certificates, and working collaboratively with classification societies and flag administrations.
Language proficiency in English (oral and written) sufficient for international operations, reporting and formal correspondence; additional languages are a plus.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management skills with a proven ability to motivate multicultural shipboard teams and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
Decisive, calm decision-making under pressure with excellent situational awareness and the ability to prioritize tasks during emergencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for formal reporting, stakeholder liaison and debriefing senior management and regulatory bodies.
High ethical standards, integrity and professional conduct representing the company in ports and with external stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple concurrent operational priorities.
Coaching and mentoring aptitude to develop junior officers and facilitate career progression within the company.
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively with international crews and maintain morale on long voyages.
Problem-solving and analytical skills for troubleshooting operational issues, conducting incident investigations and recommending practical improvements.
Time-management and planning skills for voyage, maintenance and administrative deadlines.
Negotiation and stakeholder management skills when liaising with agents, charterers, terminals and service providers for efficient port calls.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Diploma or degree from a recognized Maritime Academy or Nautical Institute OR equivalent sea-service with completed officer training and requisite certifications.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science, Maritime Studies, or equivalent degree from an accredited institution; postgraduate leadership or safety management qualifications are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Nautical Science / Maritime Transportation
Marine Engineering (useful for integrated bridge/engine interfaces)
Maritime Safety & Environmental Management
Logistics, Supply Chain or Maritime Business Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

8–20+ years of seagoing experience with progressive responsibility. Normally requires prior service as Chief Officer/First Mate with significant cargo-handling and navigation experience; minimum sea-time and command preparation as required by flag state.

Preferred:

Previous command experience (Master on similar vessel type) or demonstrated readiness for command through company command training programs.
Experience with the vessel type (chemical/product tankers, crude tankers, LNG, bulk carriers, container ships, Ro-Ro, passenger vessels, or offshore support) and relevant cargo operations.
Proven track record of managing safety and compliance, passing PSC and class inspections, and delivering operational performance benchmarks.

Certifications & Medical

Valid Certificate of Competency (Master) appropriate to vessel and trading area.
STCW 2010 endorsements: Advanced Firefighting, Advanced Medical Care (or medical first aid), Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Crowd Management and Passenger Safety when applicable.
Valid GMDSS (if applicable), Radar/ARPA, ECDIS training certificates.
Valid medical fitness certificate (ENG1 or equivalent).
ISPS/ Security Awareness training, Ship Security Officer (SSO) training when assigned security responsibilities.
Any additional certificates required by company, flag, or trade (e.g., chemical tanker cargo handling, LNG handling qualifications).