Navigating Officer Career Description
At sea, navigating officers
are responsible for the piloting of seafaring vessels. They make use of the sun, moon, stars, landmarks, compasses and electronic radio and radar systems to keep the ship on course. In port, navigating officers have other duties relevant to the running of the ship, such as cargo work and safe ship keeping.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Navigating officers must ascertain the ship's position. They take charge of the watch at sea and are responsible for the ships bridge instrumentation.
Weather forecasts and radio messages are also considered when determining the course of passage. Navigating officers are in charge of a team, responsible for the ship's navigating instruments. When narrow waterways are encountered, they should pilot the ship through these.
Navigating officers also handle situations such as entering or leaving a harbor, refuelling, the correct use of the ship's electrical navigating equipment and the correcting and adjusting of the magnetic compasses.
Navigating officers are direction officers, in other words, they should be experts on radar and its use. They should be able to conduct "blind pilotage", that is to navigate the ship by radar alone.
They must have a good knowledge of the "rule of the road" at sea and be able to interpret it for fellow watchkeeping officers. As naval officers, they also have the normal ship board duties, such as the maintaining of discipline.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Navigating officers should have leadership abilities and a well-developed sense of responsibility. They should be reliable, intelligent and emotionally stable, as well as physically fit. A technical aptitude and practical approach to problems are essential characteristics. Navigating officers should be prepared to make sacrifices and must have the desire to learn continually. Finally, they should have an affinity for the sea, since much of their time will be spent at sea.
Candidates must pass a strict medical examination.
Where can I work?
Although opportunities exist, there is no dire shortage of navigating officers. Employers that employ navigating officers are the Navy and various private-shipping companies.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
No.
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